Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-02-21
ASSERTING THEIR RIGHTS.
"a Reply to the Var against the Scdndt-
napidNS.'
IT, {ha Ed;for of tha Globe.

al ReDYy to the Var against the Scdndt
narianS."
To the Editor of the Globe.
ST. PAUL, Feb. II, lSsl.-ln you
GLOBE of to-day is found an article, TIT
title Of which is, "The War on the Sean
d;anpiaps.n 1t is said the Scandinavian
are importunate and should be repressec
by the Republican party; that they mum
Der $50 900 in the State, and that they
cast about $4,000 votes, and as long as
they confined themselves subordinates
and voted the Republican tickets placed
in the hands of their lords and masters
they were esteemed and cajoled. But
some of them are preposterous, and
think, in addition to voting, they should
be entitled to the holding of office; that
they contented themselves first with
local official positions, that they managed
to get into the legislature, then claimed
the most lucrative State office and threaten
to secure a Congressman now, and the
Republicans stand aghast with intent OF
repressive measures. Is that so? Does
it mean war, inaugurated by the Re-
publican party leaders against the Scan.
dinavians because they are not mindful
of the important benefits they have de-
rived from them?
Be it admitted that the Scandinavlans
have, heretofore, been subservient to the
Republican party; while they did not
know it was contrary to their interest;
that some of their countrymen have mis-
led them to support Republican can
didates to offices, by inducements OF
benefits to be derived, through the infu-
ences of Republican leaders and office
seekers, in order to gain votes OF sup
port by the Scandinavians.
Now be it therefore known, that the
Scandinavians of the State of Minnesota
are not fools, but humble, law abiding
citizens, emigrated from country Of high
civilization to Minnesota, in order to bet
ter their financial condition, and not to
be imposed upon by Republican party
leaders They do not ask any favors
They will in due time return to the alle-
glance with the people, which constitute
the ver-living Democracy.
The Scandinavians are made OF the
same stuff as their ancient forefathers,
who were valient enough in the middle
ages to conquer the greatest part of
Europe, who discovered and occupied
parts of the American continent up to
l347, and who now are fulfilling the
prophecy of Odin, to go to and occupy
the central parts of the American conti-
nent, the land flowing with milk and hon
ey, where they can cut large slices of the
fat swine-"sy yrdmer," participate in the
rights and benefits of the most beneicent
system of free and enlightened govern
ment for the people and of the people, of
which they now constitute an integral
part, which they by passion and perse-
verance of hard labor are supporting and
will maintain, regardless of highfalutin
political leaders, whose intent it seems to
be to subjugate and subordinate them as
serfs. The Scandinavians in Minnesota
may be deficient to some
extent in regard to the English
language and in craftsmanship, so as to
constitute efficient members in the legis-
lature Still, there are found amongst
them men with such required qualifica-
tions, even to occupy the highest position
in the State, as well as to become repre-
sentatives Of Congress, and the days are
not far distant when such things may
happen, provided they leave the nearly
sunken ship of the Republican party and
assert their independence with the peo-
ple's party, and then good-by political
leaders.
The Norwegians were among the first
who settled in Minnesota, and
they have by energetic labor, not only
made the then wilderness blossom and
bear fruits for their support, although
they were surrounded by extreme poverty;
but they have as common laborers worked
on the pathways of railroads, IN the
woods cutting timber, in the fields cul-
tivating the soil for the golden harvest.
The young men and maidens of their
race have subordinated their ambitions
and have been servants to their fellow cit
liens and as a general thing been honest
and faithful That much cannot be said
to the credit of them who assume to be
their lords and masters, and what would
have become of them if the Scandinavians
had not been the toilers for them
The Norwegians are in no sense politi-
cal office beggars; they will very soon
know how to govern themselves, and the
Scandinavians are not only destined to
occupy the lands in Minnesota and Da-
kota, but there can be no doubt, they in
the future, will become the most import
ant factor in the central part of the
American continent, and infuse new life
and activity in its great destiny
Don't be scared you see the elephant
and the Norwegians elect their own
member to Congress.
"No curbing of their ambition will be
nor will the Republican lead
ers be able to lead them by the ways they
know not, and the voting cattle they seem
to have heretofore been, will raise in
their majesty of the people and dictate
the future, for the well being of good
government and humanity
FORWARD