Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-06-17
NORWAY.

I have referred more than once to
the proposed "Mindegave"-a memori-
al gift from wegian-Americans to
'Moder Norge" to be delivered May
II. 1914, the one hundredth anniver-
sary of Norway's natal day. have
stated that the idea originated at a
18th of May celebration in Minneapo-
lis some years ago; that a "Minde-
gave" convention was held in Chicago
couple of years ago, where it was
decided that the form of the gift
should be big sanatorium for the
treatment of consumptives and a
home for "National-forbundet in
Christiania; that "Mindegave" COM
mittee was appointed to solicit the
necessary funds; that dissatisfaction
arose among the Norwegians both in
America and Norway as to the form
OF the gift; that, in recognition Of this
dissatisfaction, the committee decided
to call another convention to reopen
the question and, if possible, agree
upon a gift that would meet with gen
eral approval on both sides of the Al
lantic.
Such a convention was held in Min
neapols June 2 last, and it was at
tended by over hundred representa-
tive Norwegians, who were sent as
delegates by various societies and in
situations and by mass meetings held
in number Of cities where Norwe.
gians were numerous. The discussion
was long and animated, out friendly
and it developed that most of the del
egates were in favor OF raising money
for the creation Of permanent fund
or legacy, to be placed at the disposal
of the storthing Of Norway, the prin-
cipal to remain intact for all time to
come, but the earnings or interest of
the fund to be used for humane and
worthy purposes of various kinds. such
as educating the children Of the poor
helping communities stricken by
calamities, draining moors and
marshes, reforesting cut-over lands,
cut-over lands, aiding young and strug-
Cling artists, poets, scholars, and as
sisting deserving institutions. 1t was
also decided to set aside fund Of
25O,O00,OO0 crowns for the restoration
Of part Of the Trondhjem cathedral,
or "Demkirke," now in ruins. When
the matter was put to vote all but
one Of the delegates voted in favor of
such a gift as l have here described,
and the convention adjourned, sine
die, amidst general enthusiasm.
Senator l.. O. Thorpe of Willmar,
Mimi, well known and very highly
respected gentleman, was elected
chairman of the "Mindegave" commit
tee in place of Prof. H. G. Stub of
Hamline, Mimi, who declined re-
election Editor Grevstad, of Skandi-
maven, Chicago, was elected vice pres
ident, and Harvard Askeland of Min
neapolis, was elected secretary, and
an executive committee composed of
about a dozen prominent Norwegians
of America was chosen to carry on the
work Of arousing interest among the
people and to direct the affairs Of the
committee.
It is thus decided beyond a shadow
of a doubt that there will be q
"Mindegave," but the extent of it can
not now be determined. The most
jealous say that the gift will amount
to millions of dollars, a sum not too
large to raise, considering the large
number of Norwegian-American but
it Is probable that the fund Will con-
tain less than half that amount. There
will be great deal of discussion as to
this interesting proposition, and it
will be one of the principal themes of
the egian-American newspapers
from this time till 1914. In my opin-
ion the Minneapolis convention acted
with great wisdom, agreeing upon a
form for the memorial gift on which
all patriotic Norwegians, who love the
land Of their fathers, ought to be able
to agree.