St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-09-15
25lST Anniversary.
The Landing of the Swedes
inQDelaWaPe Cele.
=
brated.
A Grand Demonstration by
the Swedish Citizens Of
minneapolis
A Procession Of 1000 Men
With Banners and
Music.
Addresses at the Coliseum by
Gov. Merriam and Sena-
tor Davis.

The celebration of the two hundred
and fifty-first anniversary of the land
ing of the Swedes in Delaware was
celebrated yesterday in a manner that
reflected credit upon the Swedish citl-
Zens of Minneapolis. A procession OF
at least 1900 men. which would have
doubtless been much longer had
it not been for the threatening
weather. followed by exercises which
nearly double that number OF people
were present. in which the governor of
the state. the senior United States SEN
at0T. congressman. and other leading
citizens paTUiciDated-surely it was a
celebration of which any nationality
might have been proud. 1t was a cele-
bratiOn too. not TO commemorate
the meaning of some achieve
ment of bygOne days in the
old world. but TO mark the time when
their ancestors first landed in America
and helped TO build up the new re-
public. 1t was an American celebra-
ton. and the shouts and cheers were by
Americans for America. coupled
with the pride that the SWedes
have played so important 4 part
in the formation of this great nation.
If the procession could have been
started in time it would probably have
reached the coliseum. where the eXer-
ciSeS before the drilling rain came
down. which detracted considerably
from the gala appearance OF the turn
out. The procession. as a whole, how
ever. was one which showed signs of
quite elaborate preparation. First came
an escort of mounted police, and
then the First Battalion band.
Grand Marshal Capt. G. c.
Bennett ami his aides. Battery B. First
battalion. VI. 7. \. e.; the Swedis b
guards and uniformed societies: float
representing the ship ''halmar Nickel"
with the governor. missionary and war
riOrs on board: q float representing the
Goddess of Liberty: the ship ''FOgel
Grip" Swedish brothers. North and
South Minneapolis Swedish societies.and
carriages The Swedish and American
c0lOrs were cOnspicuously displayed.
together with the society banners. and
others that had been especially pre-
pared for the occasion. One OF these.
which attracted considerable attention.
read:
Who rang the Liberty bell in 1776?
Morton. SWede."
And another:
WHO fired the first shot in defense
of our country and the Rebellion? Mai.
Anderson. a Swede."
There were numerous drum corps in
addition. and altogether the procession
made an imposing array.
The auditorium of the Coliseum was
tastefully decorated and flowers and
the national eOlOrs of Sweden and
America were deliberately displayed
4 row OF pOtted plants CT3ced the rOS-
trum. and against the sounding board
in the background were tile escutcheOns
OF the Swedish colonies which set
tied in America 80 years ago. The
balconies were trimmed with ever
greens and feStOOningS OF national col
OTs. When the procession arrived and
the audience was seated it was found
that the floor and first balcony up TO the
vast auditorium were comfortably filled.
Ii was O'Clock. After music by the
First Battalion band and the singing OF
a hymn b. a male chorus. Rev. Tern
stedt offered prayer. Capt. c. c. Bennett.
and president OF the day then delivered
an address of welcome in which he said.
among other things, II has been 4 matter
OF wonder why the Swedes do not have
any national celebrations. Our
country he said. has never been en-
shaved. and therefore we have no day of
independence. We Swedes. SO we are
told. make the best of citizens.
Certain it is that we have no
anarchists among US. no diScOTdaHt ele-
ment. Coming here we try TO become
AmericaniZed as rapidly as possible.
and the holidays of our adopted country
become our holidays"
Gov. Merriam responded to the adj
4.
He paid a tribute to Gustavus AdolDhus
as the recognized champion of freedom.
thought and religiOn-the dreaded foe
of despOtiSm.
OF all cOlOniStS who cast their lot in
America none were better fitted 10
battle with the adventures and discom-
forts incident to their new home than
were the SWedeS. The history of the
Swedish people itself is the best
commentary upon the character of the
individual. Their early achievements
as a people imposed that hardy. indie
pendent and venturesOme spirit that
makes them to-day the most ready of
all TO take advantage of opportunity.
In the sciences. in literature. in art and
song. Sweden has given to the world
many OF its brightest lightS-men and
women whose accomplishments have
dNdIucu lnCiu ultNA lliS ldult anu
loved and honorable place in humanity's
great heart.
Among all who have come to our
shores none have done more toward
building up and furthering the inter
ests of the community. or have assumed
duties of citizenship with more appre-
citation of the interests involved. than
the industrious and laW-abiding Scandi-
navians.
Vice President Sterling. of the coun-
ell, followed in behalf of the city. He
congratulated the Swedes upon the part
they have taken in our nations pros
perity, and the people of Minneapolis
that ii is the largest Scandinavian city
of the Northwest.
After the singing of the chorus
''Horo ss Swea," and an overture bv the
First Battalion band. Senator c. K.
Davis delivered the Grafton. He spoke
for thirty minutes, and was warmth his
praise OF the Swedes as citizens. patriots
and soldiers. Prof J. s. Carlson followed
with the historical Grafton in Swedish.
and addresses intersDeTsed with music
were made by Prof. II. 5. Stub. Rev. A.
Dan and Hon. John Lind. The exer-
cises closed with the singing of a Swed-
ish anthem written by Hon. II. Stock
o,,r+rorr, m tho DauSia Of r,a,.ioa