The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-21

green's, feffoOns and
American and Nor
wezian nags. The platform presented
quite . picturesque appearance, being en-
circled By oars, . symbol OF Norway's i'm
possans position - . seafaring nation. On
either side of the speakers stand were
placed two bears. A crayon picture Of Left
Erikson. drawn by Mr.. H. Rode, adorned
the side wall right back Of the platform.
After . potpouri on Norwegian national
airs by LANCER Il Lneben's orchestra, Mr..
\. e.. Faegre. the ex-ire commissioner,
who was chairman Of the arrangement
committee. stepped to the front and de-
livered the following speech of welcome:
Lodaes and Geatknsen. Fsiioe-C xffses. On be-
naii OF the Norwegian workingsaen's society
and tie Nosuesian Singing society, under
whose auspices We celebrate tonight / bid you
all . hearty welcome This large gathering -
sembicd here In spite Of the inclemeos weather
bears testimony NOS only OF your good viii
towards these two s~oeistiss, bat IL shows above
al your love for Old mother Norway; il shows
tnat The Noswexian.Amsrtcaus are tmbued with
the sparit OF liberty, patriotism and indepeu.
dence- The 18th Of Nay ia - Ne al know.
birthday So .fyse, sslf-consroliing
and Independents country" and IL IL therefore
quite proper for Us - liberty-ioving children OF
thss fathefland to cherish the dear memories OF
our fathen' Of childhood days on this memorial
day.
But Notwithstanding Ne are Norvegians, and
forget that We are citizens OF this country, that
We all are A~meSicans-sous Of rs BY birth and
Others By adoption. Noswegians naturally love
Norway and Americans love Amegica. A Nor
wegiau- American embraces In his patriotism
both these free countries with warm, sympa-
tneuc love. The moEe Of the true Morse spirit
OF liberty and Independence you harhor In your
soul the better American citizen. the trncr
patriot you viii prove yourself to Be in this
country. II II but natural TO suppose that tho
man who tears himself away from all the happy
scenes OF hia childhood. who leaves relatives.
friends and fatheriaDd and braves the stormy
ocean and the long and perilous voyage almost
half way around the globe Ia order thai he may
become IN American, In order that he may en-.
Joy the material and political blessings Of this
free and glorious coontsy, ! take IL for granted
that no such sacrincs would b made unless ho
had something. 10 hts mind, more attractive in
view. firmly believe that you ear trust such
. man to appreciate the benefits and blessings
OF American eitsenship just - Well ~ the
native-corn citizen who, without any effort or
sacrifice on HE part, without his knowledge and
volition-by . mere a~ccideut-has become an
American citisen- What costs us most we prize
the more.
There are. / regret 70 say, exceptions TO this
rule. There are people who immigrate into his
country aud partake Of the fAs and freedom OF
the lana witnout saying gracs either before or
After meal, who always remain foreigners and
strangers amoogst u, Who do not Americaniss
ard assimiiafo With American fdeas and insti-
~tutions. who only appreciate the treas usss they
are gathering here while their hearts are across
TIE ocean IN some iaroY land. But these are
~4o 49, - 49, -
not believe We have many OF them In Seattle,
aud amongst on. people OF Norwegian descent
there certainly ought not TO b . single oDe.
Today at least we ara Gil good Nogwegians, and
we are all loyal Americans. ana We celebrate the
isih OF May with speeches for America a we'll
- for old Norway.
We have no APOLOGY to offer to any one for eel
esrsting Norway's day OF independence in this
eouatry. No apology Is needed. II il but ua:-
ural tina, We should DO so. We but follow a uni.
versal custom. have noticed how even the
A~fnerican~oorn citsxens cannot deny human na.
ture IN this respect Birds of q leather dock to-
getner; and | notice how my fellow citizens OF
Seattle. who originally hailed from some other
state than this-sonne o! them came here from
my own native state. the proud state OF Iowa,
some came here IRON the golden gate of Cali.or-
aia, some from Missouri, some from Michigan,
some from Malnc-l notice how they form them
selves into societies for the purpose o. cherish
lag dear memories OF their native states, and
no enc vii. aad anything wrong about this.
There Is no treason tow ar 10 the glorious state Of
Washington IN 30 dosrxs On tho contrary, 20,
10 do 50 would oe the basest !ng~ra.fude. Ii
would BE- IA unnatural caild who would wan
Ger away into the vide. wids world, away from
the parental root aud tbs happy scenes o! his
Childhood home. AID then forget the friends ns
lett behind him. ! hoys there are none such
US The Sorweyiaa-Americans cele-
hratc Norway day because they love that lar.
of land. just as our friends from California eel.
citrate California day because they love tia, fair
state; aaa al OF us celebrate the Fourth OF July
and washing'ons day because We love the
United States better than any other country ana
tie evergreen state bette. ;nsu any oshe. state.
That il how VIC come TO live hight here in sss,.
tie. because the true patriot viii take up his
abode in the ~couassy. In the state and in tie
city which be loves.
Mr.. Faegre then introduced Mr.. II. c.
Wahlberg. who spoke in Norwegian. and
in an able and forcible manne related the
historical events leading up 10 The Gscla-
ration OF Independence in Norway. In re-
viewing the present struggle between the
Norwegian king aud s,or,hing the speaker
stated that the Swedish nobility were TO
blame for the strained relation existing
- wv 0IOhLC- siaGsREGt- bts
the consular question would be solved
without powder and shells. The marrow
of the Swedish people. the peasants and
middle class. desired peace with Norway
and aeliseFanee from the oppression OF
the nobility.
Mr.. Wahiaers's speech lasted nearly one
hour. and sas listened TO with great at
and repeatedly interrupted by
applause.
After a cng by the Norwegian Singing
Society. the chairman introduced the En-
giish SPEAKER OF the evening, Mr.. [. ".
ThIlana. the younr and popular prssiden,
Of the Norwegian WorkIagmea's Society.
a no IN a sonosoGs vo!ce that filed every
nook and corner o! the hall. delivered the
address. which was eoatinu-
interrupted BY rapsarous applause:
NJ F~rszasr4s. rassss aa9 G<zfless<-: TIE cans.