Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-28
Ooen Letter to DIR. MILLER.

OMAHA, Oct. 27.-To the Editor of The
Bee: Kindly allow me space in your paper
for few words with DR.. George l.. Miller.
In thus addressing you, DIR. Miller, ] wish
1t to be understood that / cherish the high
est regard for you personally. Your name
among the pioneers of Nebraska You are
man of no small caiber. No man knows
better than ha you how the great American
ing garden"
1t Is therefore no reason for taking your
navian concert in the Auditorium on the ex-
position grounds, as mere fattery. when
you spoke of the part Scandinavians have
taken In developing the resources of the
United States in general and in upbuilding
the west in particular. Your statements
We're nT historical bo facts told in courteous
Because of voicng too common senti-
ment, being nearly. related to the old doc
thing however that many FSS Isn A9er S1mf
cans consider almost an insult With the
best Of motives and most polite manners
s;ble for you to discern the difference in
his appearance from that of a true Ameri-
can; Every fair man that knows you, DR.
good aPpeaTance; Sun every thinking mar man
are you that made this statement and who
Is c. o. Lobeck to whom you spoke? Some
claim that he ,er indian alone is the true
whose forefathers have come from England
Scotland or Ireland are true. Americans
brought up in the United states of America ra
are true Americans, even If their fore
fathers cradle has been rocked in Sweden
go so far as TO think that they are true
Ame ricans who have made this country
their permanent home and sworn allegiance
! to Old Glory and therefore stand ready to
defend that fiag with l!fe and limb,
In 1890 there were $3.50 persons living in
Nebraska and Iowa who have been born in
Sweden. Many of them think they are true
Americans although they style themselves,
as rule, Swedish-Amercans, because they
have come from Sweden. And there are
probably more than 10000 in Nebraska and
Iowa whose forefathers were born in
Sweden. Being born OF American citizens.
living IN the United States of America and
Away, proving their loyalty 10 the .Ameri,
protects-are they not then true Americans
Now, DR.; Miller, you. were born and
reared In this country; Your father was a
Se right of anyone to greet you as one look +,
! ing Just as good as an American? Would
not such a statement prove TO be slur on
| yourself? 1t could, of course. be explained d
| TO mean something else, but an explanation
| would then be In place So here also. Hon,
! G. O. Lobeck was born In Henry county,
! Illinois of an American citizen. He was
| brought up IN this country and IS true
| American.
AS cultured nation we are not confined
| to the ability Of speaking only English.
! We also speak Swedish, German Danish,
i French, etc, and no one is required to ask
! for an excuse therefor, Swedish Anne ricans
most prominent universities of our land
/ and Their number increase every year.
| swedish American colleges of great promi-
nence are found In several states. In short,
| we Swedsh-Amercan do not desire to be
known as only looking Just as good as a
! true American; We claim to be lust a s
1 good as an American; we clean to be true
''''''' - ''''' ~ 9'> ' c. L. ELvING.