Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-05-18
ism finds here her strongest fortress
and her most sacred shrine! 81

The training In upright citizenship +
is notsaa hot-house process You can
not make good citizen out Of an an
archist in q summer school. The pro-
cess requires time, care and good mate
rial. The spirit which found expression
In the declaration OF independence was
not the sudden ebullition OF a moment,
but the intensified conviction OF centu-
RES. 1t spoke at Runnymede, 1t sang
with Milton 1t numbered in the
marches of Cromwell. That spirit Of In
dependence ruled George Rolf when he I
refused to make servile obeisance to
the French king. 1t is the same spirit [
that controls our people today who
choose political neglect and even social
ostracism rather than compromise self
respect and honor, that thrift may fol- I
low fawning. 1t Is this same spirit of [
Independent manhood that finds ex-
preston in the lines Of one of Norway's
popular poets when he says:
Min Kast er simpel og mine Dirk,
Nedover Klippen fiyder,
Og mon den mere Stryke fix
Som Snese Retter nyder?
1iioIl den CT IrtTe glad end jeg,
Sin henter paa enfarlig Vel,
Sin rare Vim? jeg mener nei,
Wand ledssker, stryker, fryder
Nit Hus er lovt, men nit det er.
Min egen Tomt Diet barer:
Og aabeht starr Diet for Enhver,
Som Gud og Retter arer:
Kom Bonde, bod jeg ham min Hand, \
Kom Rider, bod jeg ham min Hand,
Jeg frygter Gud. men in gen Mand;
Jeg er min egen Here
Irejoice that few Of our people have
as vet become apt in the art of smooth
assimilation,
skilled to grace
A DEVILS purpose with an angels face
This may in measure account for
our backward condition, politically. We
spurn the devices and intrigues that
bring at least temporary success to the
modern politician. We believe in the
equality of all before the law, and ac-
knowledge no allegiance 20 any prince
or potentate creature or corporation,
but the constitution Of the United
States of America.
I'VE believe there are more profitable
pursuits than office seeking, and higher
duties of citizenship than oftlce-hold-
ing: and that the highest duty of every
citizen is to promote and perpetuate
right political principles and to elect
to office men who are competent, hon-s
est and true to the people.
And what record of fidelity do the
Norwegian-Americ of Iowa present.
For forty years they have supported
! and voted for men and measures unin-s
| fluenced by any consideration to them
.selves-without any hope Of reward.
save the highest public good.
Who can calculate the influence for
good of 10000 such voters upon the poll
tics of Iowa?
For forty years we have been doing
our whole political duty without Sc
curing or demanding our full political
4 rights. There is going to be-indeed.
there already is, in this state, a politi-
4 cal renaissance among our people The
dominant political party insthis state to
4 which our people belong With marvel
\ Gus unanimity has been most exasper-i
i atingly5 slow in according to us a fair or
/ even q decent share of the political rec
4 ,ognition given to other nationalities
whose party loyalty and party faith
4 have fwavered when ours stood firm.
Our steadfastness to the. party
lwhose principles we endorse thru evil
il report and good report, thru prohibit
ton and mulct law, Instead Of receiving
the cordial appreciation and reward al
a the hands of the party leaders to which
A such4is entitled has been counted as a
q matter of course, and our people have
been denominated voting cattle by
a some of the Very men who have been
z Land are beneficiaries Of our political
4 trustworthiness.
Speaking to you. my countrymen. as
z IN American to Americans-loyal to its
Institutions and its f1ag-acknowledg
Ling no country as great and no history
as glorious as ours-Sou as a man who
S is not ashamed of#the name and mem
. ory of my father. for his father stood
with fixed bayonct back of the men
4 whose work we commemorate today
would not be true to my own sense of
duty did I not assert that our political
. apprenticeship-our political minority
q our political alienage is at an end!
Have we not been in the wilderness for
r forty years? Is it not time that we en-
ter Canaan?
There may be giants in that land
but with Joshua let us go up and pos
sess it. With our inherited integrity
and truth-loving relia bility. let us com
bine American energy, enthusiasm an6
II
THAT no political party can afford to ig-
! more. do not want a Norway in Amer
lea. l want every son of Norway t.
become and forever remain a GOOD
American citizen-but in doing SO
want him to keep and cherish ever.
Z Virtue that his fathers cherished.
want him to possess in his mental ane
moral makeup the best that there i:
both in the Norwegian and in the
American life and character.
While no man should, and no mar
has, a right to seek political prefermen
or recognition except on the ground Of
!. American citizenship. yet when we fint
: individuals or organizations SO blinded
with prejudice that they seek to hinder
us, because of our birth or descent
from enjoying every privilege thai
should be accorded TO an American citi.
zen, let us WELD our weapons as free
men and smite them hip and thigh.
But am here also to speak OF an6
!, for America. ! am here to add my
, voice to the sentiment, s strong II
|, your breast as in mine, that hencefortt
our highest and best efforts must be t.
/ become good Americans.
/ What is Americanism. and where
s may it be found?