The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-06-18

NORWAY.

have referred more than once to
the proposed "Mindegave"-a memori-
al gift from gian-Americans to
''Moder Norge to be delivered May
II, 1914. the one hundredth anniver-
sary of Norway's natal day. l 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
a couple of years ago, where it was
decided that the form of the gift
should be a big sanatorium for the
treatment of consumptives and a
home for Observation-Disclosures 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 At
lantic.
Such convention was held in Min
neapolis June last, and it was at
tended by over a hundred representa-
tive Norwegians, who were sent as
delegates by various societies and in.
stitutions and by mass meetings held
in a number of cities where Eorwe
gians were numerous. The discussion
was long and animated, but friendly
and it developed that most Of the del
egates were in favor Of raising money
for the creation Of a permanent fun6
or legacy, TO be placed at the disposa
of the storthing Of Norway, the prin
cipal to remain intact for all time tc
come, but the earnings or interest o1
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
caiamities, draining moors and
marshes, reforesting cut-over lands
cut-over lands, aiding young and strug
Cling artists, poets, scholars, and as
sisting deserving institutions. It was
also decided to set aside q fund OF
25O, ,0OO, 900 crowns for the restoration
Of a 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, a well known and very highly
respected gentleman, was elected
chairman Of the "Mindegave" commit.
tee in place Of Prof. H. @. Stub OF
Hamline, Mimi, who declined re-
election. Editor Grevstad, of Skandi-
maven, Chicago, was elected vice pres.
ident, and Halward 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 shadow
OF a doubt that there will be
"Mindegave," but the extent OF 1t can
not now be determined. The mos
Jealous say that the gift will amoun
to millions of dollars, = sum not to1
large to raise, considering the larg'
number of Observation-Disclosures, bu
| it is probable that the fund Will con
tain less than half that amount. Their
will be a great deal of discussion as t
this interesting proposition, and
will be one of the principal themes Q
the Norwegian-American newspaper
from this time till 1914. In my opir
ion the Minneapolis convention acte
with great wisdom, agreeing upon
form for the memorial gift on whic
all patriotic Norwegians, who love tn
land of their fathers, ought to be abl
to agree.