The Saline County journal., 1889-09-19


The speakers stand In the beauti
ful park in q loop OF the smoky
Hill was profusely decorated with
flags, banners and bunting OF al
colors.
The address Of welcome was made
by Rev. j. +. Floren, pastor OF the
Swedish Lutheran church of Salina
The Grafton of the day, by Rev. T.. +
Peterson, Of Colorado, followed
Then came an Orsiion In the Swed'
ish tongue by Rev. J. Wickstrand, OI
Mcpherson, after which was the
address OF Prof. J. q. Prineell, oI
Chicago. songs and Music were In
terspersed through the programme.
Before the close of the exercises
rain began to fall, but this did not
dampen the ardor OF the Swedes,
though u caused many OF the spec
tatoTs TO seek shelter.
The OratiOns were eloquent and
interesting, giving n the speakers
did, succinct historical facts OF in,.
portance and reviving the memories
Of the older hearers OF events In the
national life.
As further reminder Of the days
gone by we reproduce the following
eloquent tribute TO the bravery ahd
loyalty of edish-Americans de-
livered by Rev. +. Nelander, at the
celebration at Kansas City ON Sat
urday. IL was part OF the address
of welcome:
For two centuries aud q half emf
grants from the Land Of the Mid
night Sun have made America their
adopted land. AS yonder river flows
on until mingling with other mighty
waters 10 empties into the sunlit sea,
30 has the stream of Swedes steadily
flowed on mIngling with that ocean
Of humanity bearing that proud
name, American citizens. Its peo-
pie are the most blest OF any on
IiOd's foOtstool.
Behold, I see O vision! On the
banks Of the Delaware l see . land
ing Of Swedish pilgrim fathers.
Mark that typical Swede as he bares
his brow aod looks about him I'm
new environments. Fair complex
Toned, with blue eyes and light
hair, but deep chested, brOad-shOul-
dered, with strong muscles aud In
dOmitable energy. BY his side
stands his wife, Q hardy wbole-soul-
ed matron. That's the kind OF stuff
successful colonists are made of
That's the kind Of people that have
helped to turn these territories Into
states; these deserts into fair gar
dens.
I see another vision. The smoke
OF battles arises from the colonies. lt
Il the birth thross OF . free nation.
Here, also, we find these Swedes Ia
"a. a.l~ aaA Ia
file. Let &c lie ever said, TO the hon.
or OF our people, thst John Morton.
one Of the signers Of the Declaration
Of Independence, was q SVetle.
Swedes died fighting ct Lexington
and Saratoga. A tradition among
early 6vede settlers relates that
Swedish girls we're employed In the
dressmaker's shop where the nrst
American fiag was made. One
thing is eertaln-that II the Swedish
women did not ae Blanda. the swed-
Ish Joan Of Are-go forth TO battle
theInselves-theiF heroIsm In those
times that tried me ms souls IL pro-
verbal.
The scene changes. The 6res Of
civil war are raging. The earth
tIembles with the tread Of men Who
determtRs that not . single star shall
be torn from our national flag.
Thousands Of Swedes enlist. The
bravery that their fathers displayed
on the plains Of Lutzen, on the
sands Of Poland ,ou the hills Of Lsip-
xig vas shown on South Mountain
and 0sttsybgrg. Their blood has en-
Flehed the soil out cf which springs
the tree Of liberty.
From John Ericsson, the inventor
Of the Monitor, 10 the humblest
Swesfe private, were ell cheerfully
nghtfng the battles Of their slioPted
land.
Ny dream IL Ger. Before me I see
Swedes and descendants Of So edes
whose pfoed bcsst % u that they are
srue 10 their adopted Land.
You do not belong % that elaas 81 |
foreigners vho are siwAys eis-