The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1882-05-18
NORWAY'S FREEDOM.
HOW the 18th of May Was Celebrated
by n Patriotic People at CantOn.--.
The Grafton. The Music, The Sing
ing and The Dinner.

by Patriotic People At CantOn.--.
The Grafton. The Music. The Sing
ing and The Dinner.
The 6Sth anniversary of the gaining of
Norway s freedom, a day that is celebrat-
ed by all patriotic and liberty loving peo-
pie, has come and passed, and has gone
down to history as one Of the events OF
Canton. The sun rose clouded and a
somewhat brisk breeze famed the cheeks
of the fair maidens and filled the eyes Of
the travellers with fine dust However
at Il clock the procession was formed in
line and headed. by the marshals of the
day, Mesrss jacobson, Isaacson and Zeller,
mounted on horses, the Sioux Falls brass
band, 10 Instruments and citizens and
strangers on foot, marched up Main street
to the grove north Of town, where the
platform and seats had been placed and
where the flags of Norway and America
were floating to the breeze The spot
selected could not have been better chosen
The opening exercises was music by the
band, when the president Of the day, Mr.
Lund was introduced to the audience by
Mr.. Erich Iversen Mr.. Lund spoke in
his native tongue and was pronounced by all
truthful statement of the history and
events of trialsan difficulties, ofthe long
war, from l79l to 1914, between Norway
and J Denmark, under Napoleon the |
and what craftsmanship accomplished
what the sword did not The speaker
spoke principally upon the closing events
of the war, and dwelt at some length upon
the good that has resulted and hoped his
countrymen would always cherish the day
with kind and patriotic sentiments.
Three cheers were proposed and given
with salute-by Artilleryman Hawn.
Singing by the Canton Literary Glee Club.
Music by the band, Star Spangled Banner.
Mr. G. o. Satrang was introduced and
briefly outlined history filled with facts,
in the English language. The early his
tory of Norway was like that of other
countries. shrouded in thick obscurity, and
it was not until the close Of the 10th cen
tury, Christianity was introduced by Olef
the I that the mythical obsecurity gave
place to historical truth. The history OF
Norway form 1919 to 1914 was one of
varied experiences The treaty was signed
at Keil The constitution was framed at
Eidsvold and Norway and ..Sweden were
united, and has since exercised the right
and privileges of free and Independent
country.
Singing of national air, tune, Sweet
Land of Liberty.
Music by the band.
Mr.. Otto Oleson spoke briefly in his
native tongue, Swedish, and from the
manner of its reception must have been
full of patriotism.
Singing by the glee club.
Music Salute.
Mr.. Nils Norseth spoke in the Skandi-
| navian language and had the attention of
his audience.
Mr. A. R. Brown was introduced and
made one of his easy, free speeches, of
| which he is noted He was glad to see SO
many faces present and welcomed his fel-
low citizens to the shores of this country,
whose independence was also earned sim
liar to that of Norway's. He was glad
to see so many coming to this beautiful
| Dakota and welcomed them. This cele
bration was one of grand momentum and
hoped that it would ever be kept in mem
| ory
The next speaker was Mr. Skartvedt
He called his listeners Mortimer and
wanted them to stand true to their new
adopted fatherland, and they should not
forget that they are on free soil. That
they should not forget their native country
or tongue and always love the name of
dear Norway. That they should learn to
love this free and adopted country and it's
ways-that they have chosen it as their
future home "We love our adopted
country-we love our banner, our Star
Spangled Banner. Hundreds, yea thous'
aud. of our countrymen have shed their
blood in defense of the stars and stripes
and our national union. What better evi-
dence will you have of the fact that this
country and this flag is dear to u.s." Three
cheers for the flag of the Union.) Let us
be Norwegians and also Americans Leo US
retain all the good and noble traits inherit
ed from our illustrious ancestors, and blot
out that which is not suitable and becom-
ing to our society. The speaker was fire.
quently applauded and gave universal
satisfaction. He retired with three cheers
for this country and that old home across
the briny waters Mr.. 0. S. Clifford was
called upon and made very pointed and
pleasing speech. He dwelt upon the free
dom Norway gained and compared it with
the same event of this country. He closed
with wishing that long may the day live
in remembrance and that he hoped to see
his hearers enjoy their freedom in this
their adopted country.
At this point dinner was announced and
all present were heartily invited to par
take. The table was spread underneath
the trees where chairs were placed around.
The table fairly groaned with the goodies
spread and all partook with keen ap-
petite The eatables consisted of different
kinds Of meats, cold chicken, pickles,
coffee, cake pies, sandwiches, ETC. The
ladies deserve special mention for their
goodness and gracefulness in making all
steel at home" at the table, and those
who partook will ever have occasion to
express their thanks therefor
The flag of Norway was the handiwork
of Mrs P. NJ. Lund. After dinner, sing
ing and dancing was the order with the
younger people, when the audience dis
persed in small groups, and the band,
with DR.. Mold at the head, marched back
to town and through the streets and sere-
naded several business firms. Lemonade,