The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-22
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: SCANDINAVIAN NEWS. i
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Observation-Disclosures

nave come. We have proof or this from
Manila Let US again raise the nag in
ncnor OF the thousands who so forth 10
light the enemy. Our hopes. our hearts
ara with them. and when the battle -
Wen and those Of them return to their
homes whom providence smiles on, then
future generations will honor them as Wa
tonight honor ths memory OF those heroes
OF peace who framed the Morse constitu-
tion>'
After the rendering OF a medley on Amer.
lean national airs. the chairman insrs-
daced Mr.. c. II. Thaland. who spoke az
follows:
Mr.. Chairman. Ladies and Gentlemen:
we are nation at war. but engaged in the
noDiest war ever recorded In the annals OF
STRIPES viii emerge victorious as sure as
there IS a lust God above US. as sure as
there is divinity which shapes our ends.
Our cause IL the cause of liberty. and the
cause OF liberty II the nohlest cause OF hts
mansfy. as II touches the most resonant
strings in the human heart and appeals 10
sic is cosmopolitan. The heroic fight OF a
nation struggling for It's liberty and inde-
pendence has always called forth the adj
miTatson and sympathy OF all ages. and
the best EFFORTS OF orators. hards and his.
forians- How much more worthy of CONF
nendation Is not then the nation which
throws down the gauntlet OF war to Sc
cure the liberty of another downtrodden
hindthought, without any desire or design
to gain foreign possessions. engages In y
war which must entail great losses Of
men and money. When the future history
Of the world is written 7 venture TO say
thar i's brightest mage will record the wal
In which we are at present engaged tc ac-
compl.sh the independence OF Cuba and ita
liberation from the harbaric yoke Of IN.
human Spain.
Because Of the fac: that we are at war.
II has been contended nv certain Norwe-
arsr MAJ INV hat vs,A Nnro
Americans cannot with pronriety commem-
orate-for Il Ia nothing but commesnora-
ton We indulge in--canrot commemorate
the independence and struggles for liberty
III Norway. And why not? why they say
because Il might tend TO mssconstruction.
J am candid TO admit that cannot see the
force Of the argument; Can our loyalty
and patriotism he douhtedr If any one
doubts our patriotism, I viii ask him 70
read the history OF the Fifteenth wiacon-
sin regiment. ore OF the hravest regiments
IN the civil war. II any one doubts our pa
triotisrn. I will but noint to the hundreds
OF veterans OF Scandinavian birth who plod
through life on the Western rrairies minus
one limb or another. II any ono doubts our
Americanism. will direct hin, to the Shiny
graves OF some fifty Observation-Disclosures
can sailors. whose bodies await the blast
OF Gabriel's trumpet under the shattered
wreck OF the Maine In Havana harhor. II
any ono doubts orr Asnericanism. Will
ask him to go to Manila to see II he can
discover anything hut Americanism ami
sailors In Dewey's squadron Of Scandina-
Wan birth or parentage.
Custom Is proud and there are certain
americans vain and unpatriotic OF the
often refuse TO recognize the poor. strug-
Cling immigrant. but our adopted country
i less proud than custom. and does not Re-
fuse the blend. the heart. the right hama
OF the poor Morse immigrant.
sour commemoration tonight OF the In
dependence OF Norway is tribute to lib
ertv We have gathered at one Of the great
milestones In the progressive march Of lib
ertv and the cause Of nations TO sing an
anthem OF praise TO the memory OF a cir.
Gle Of true and brave men. who eightv-four
on the rock-ribhed shores of Norway. after
u had been extinguished for 400 years ana
thanks to whose achievements and noble
work we are today enabled to be better
American cit:sens than the Immigrants
from anv foreign country Liberty enfio-
bles. and in its train follows spiritual de-
v,eionment and mental Advancement. The
liberty OF Norway renovated the land and
started Latin schools and public schools In
every nook and corner or the land. Its 1ight
kiilai the bacteria of illiteracy, which
The constitution OF Norway Is based on the
constitution OF the United States This Is
10 my mind one OF the reasons why We
can better understand the spirit and fun
damental principle OF American institu-
tons another reason why we should pay
a tribute 10 the memory OF the members Of
the Norwsgian constitutional assembly.
which on the Eth day Of May. 1914. signed,
adopted and caused the prcrnuigation OF
the Norwegian constitution. We have both
directly and Indirectly reaped the benefits
or ita adoption. and by Its adoption been
enabled TO become better American citizens.
."Noblesse oblige, says the old adage. So
does also liberty. 1t entails duties which
cannot be shirked or shifted. Wa have
been taken up ~ members OF the great
American commonwealth by our own
choice. enjoying its blessings and benefits
On casions like these we are reminded OF
our duties IN our adopted country. II In noe
merely sufficient that we obey the Laws
and work to promote our material welfare
and that OF our country; In short. II II not
industrial ants. A good CITIZEN must taKs
an active part in tho political and mental
advancement Of his country. He II gifted
With that sr sn,e. and and, mos, danssrcs
privilege. and woe TO a country whose cftl.
Gems abuse or neglect TO Use that privilege.
Keep abreast of public opinion study pub
vote conscientiously. Rank partisanship
and party idoiatry Is one OF the curses ~
the times. It Is a current diseare. which
terrorize~ free Judgment and destroys free
ballot, 7 might be pardoned 10 ask yo0
Mt this time 70 study the writings OF the
late Henry George. Single tax II not a
mere theory: II n an economic solution
which. In n modified form has been APP
piled successfully IN New Zealand.
Strive To develop everything that n
good. heiitny ana nobte IN your NORWEGIAN
natures. For let us remember that the
American nation Of today n but n nation
I'm transition. II - composed OF people Of
many nationaities. each possessing dis
tinct traliA which, when the Immigrants
become merged in and an integral part OF
the American race. will leave traceable
traits In the American national character
The old Morse vikings who conquered
Normandy. France. whence they estal,-
iished colonies In Italy. levied tribute In
Paris. played havoc In Constantinopie ana
DESTROYED the forts md strongEolds Of tbs
Saracsns on the Mediterranean. and whose
descendants under William the conqueror
landed in ENGLAND on the very day that the
Morse king Harold was killed In the battle
~ stanford bridge, disappeared finally by
absorption I'm the conquered nasfoEalties
but the Norse characteristics are found to-
dav I'm the English and French national
character the modern Morse viking. who
has made tha Western prairies bloom iikA
n rose and II building his home ard school
house in the midst ~ the solitude or the
mighty forests Of Western Washington.
struggling 10 achievs something which fsf-
ture generations NAV enjoy. or bringing 20
market his catch from the fishing banks
OF Alaska and Cane Fiatterv In his smaii
fishing smack viii nkewsse leave charse-
sevtx+Fo.- s.. the national chs