The Saint Paul globe., 1897-05-18
IN THE OLE BULL STATUE.
NASTERplECE OF FJELDE UN-
YELLED BEFORE THOUSANDS OF
SPECTATORS.
Arguments for the Defense Not Yet
Begun-Nevvs of the Mill
City.

daughters of Norway yesterday after
noon witnessed the consummation of
the work of the Ole Bull Monument as
sociation in the unveiling of the mag
nificent Fjelde statue of Ole Bull and
the presentation to the city Of Mime
apolis of it's first work of art in bronze,
heroic size.
1t was a festival day, indeed. One in
which all citizens took great pride. 1t
was a source of qualification to the
committee having the vast enterprise
in charge and a proud day to the Nor
wegian citizen, who collectively consti-
tutes large proportion of the popula-
ton.
The day was an ideal one in every
respect A more beautiful May day
could not have been anticipated
Shortly before o'clock the parade
arrived. This parade had formed at
Dania hall with the following societies
in line: Normanna and Svea bands,
Norsemen's Singing society, Franz"
Norwegian Total Abstinence So
ciety, "Hugnad," and the Nor
wegian Y. M. c. A. With
martial music this division marched to
Third street, to Nicollet avenue, where
it was augmented by Sonner af Norge,
and other Norwegians from the North
and East sides. Under the marshalshlp
of Hagbarth Hermansen, physical in
structor of the Norwegian Turner's, the
two divisions, a total Of 200, marched
up Nicollet avenue to Tenth street,
from this point to Harmon place, and
from there to Loring park AS all the
societies carried their banners, and
some of them were uniformed, the line
was most imposing one, and was one
of the prettieSt civic paradeS ever seen
in Minneapolis. With Normanna band
playing the Norwegian national march,
"Sonner af Norge" the line entered the
grounds, where places had been re-
served for the different societies.
BY this time fully $4,000 people had
gathered about the statue. An endeavor
had been made with ropes to spread the
crowd out, but they broke the.r license,
and the police were unable to keep them
back. 1t was, however, not a boiSterous
assemblage, and the management &C
eepted the freedom taken with good
grace. Shortly after the arrival Of the
parade the announcement was made
that the governor and his staff was
present This party was shown to
section Immediately to the left of the
statue. In this stand were also seated
the invited guests of the Ole Bull
Monument association. Immediately
to the right of the statue stand five
feet high had been erected. This was
reserved for the members of the execu-
tive committee of the Ole Bull Monu
ment association, members of the park
board, city officials, judges of the su-
preme court and newspaper representa-
tives. To the front, and in immediate
proximity to the statue, was seated
Miss Ragnihild Sorensen, upon whom
the duty to unveil the statue was in
on6 hny. raTofC
S. Sorensen. The speakers stand was
directly to the left Of the statue The
singers occupied seats in front Of the
towering column. DanZ's orchestra was
seated on stand behind the statue.
1t was but a few minutes past 8
o'clock when Prof. Eric Oulie raised his
baton, and the first tones Of the Ole
Bull festival march vibrated forth from
the violins. Being the first public rem
dition of the compositions, the musical
ly inclined Norwegians lent more than
a passing interest to the number. 1t
must be said in favor of it, that its
conception and arrangement was ad-
mirable He allows Scandinavian
thoughts to enter into it, and it per-
meates with songs taken from the
fields. 1t was accorded hearty recep-
ton.
Because through his great art Norway's fame
went to farthest Shores because Of what he
has done to make Norway truly great and
free and independent, we Norwegian-Amer-
leans have raised him this statue
We have realised It her in America because
faithful son of Norway as he was, he learned
to love the people of this great republic.
When kings In vain did sue for favors fellow
ship and friendship at his hand, he cast his
lot among US, and cast it here because he
loved our institutions; because he was proud
of our government because he felt at home
among free people.
He once said: Next to being born in Nor
way II deem 1t the greatest honor ever be-
str d on me that I have been permitted to
be- ne an American citizen" We have built
this statue here object lesson to coming
generations that those make the best ADOPTED
citizens of this republic who love their ma
tive country most.
The 18th of May was Ole Bulls great festive
day. On that day of all Gays did his violin
Sing as Of on Nnr mo oher d the
OF it's newborn liberty; of its hopes; and of
Its future In his old age he became young
again on that day; HIS face beamed. His
| Norway's independence day.
| feel certain that today, in the sunny
land where he now dwslls. and where they
viii have given him q violin with sun rays
for strings" he is tuning that violin now
preparatory 20 singing on it the praise of
| Ncrway's liberty day. And if, from his lofty
| stand, he can see US gathered around his
statue on Norway's festal day, am certain
| that the beautiful smile which took the world
by storm again lightens up his countenance
H6lElukS see MIN n0Q apprOV1ngIy as IL
he said: You have understood me cor
rectiy, my friends. 1t is in free America
l wish ito See my features first ifnmortaiized
i in the internal bronze, and it is on Norway's
/ Hbertys day 81 prefer all people to first gaze
| upon them"
Through ,Norway,s nature, as through the
/ life OF its sons and daughters there runs
/ gladdcst moments, when their Joy is widest
| you will always hear, if you listen carefully
enough. suppressed sigh. In all Norway's
| dertone in the minor key sober, earnest
| gruff; sometimes wild and despairing as the
| wall of lost soul; sometimes like a gilt
tering tear, but always sad and sorrowful. 1t
forms the theme of all their melodies.
/ So, in the midst of this joy, there must
/ fors0oth, come shadow over our glad faces.
/ He who created yonder masterpiece, soon to
! be unveiled to the public gaze is not with
/ us today. 1t was the ambition of Jacob
/ Fjeides life to be permitted to create a
statue of Ole Bull. He had sat under the
ing the mighty contours on the figure of this
great patriot he could give the world a
truer conception of his own great genius
than ever before had been vouchsafed him.
| could proceed with this statue he set about
1t with feverish haste. Never have seen
| in mis- eye such CLEAN of hope, of happiness
I and satisfaction but at the same time there
!! and nervous apprehension. 1t was as if he
had a. premonition that this was to be his
| last great masterpiece, and that he must
/ work on without rest while it was day, for
| soon the night would come when no one
! could work.
When the rarest high work Of his genius
was completed-when the last nnisning
touches had been made-he laid down his
moulding pin, never to lift it. again. His
| life's greatest work was done.
! He laid down to rest-the rest from which
| no one awakens.
But his work will live, and that you all
| nav greet the benign face and grand figure
| of Fjeldes hero, Ole Bull, 1 now, in the
\ name of the Ole Bull Monument association