The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-06-01
The VIKINGS and
The ROLLO STATUE
DR.. FJELDE OF ARERcRoMRIE|
CALLS ATTENTION TO FARGO
AS THE CENTER OF THINGS OF
INTEREST TO NoRsEMEN IN
THE UNITED STATES.

|
Abercrombie, N. d., May 31.-To
Inc Forum: The first bautastone to
De erected in France will next year be
oonated from Norway to the city of
Kouen in memory of the Rollo millen-
iuih' Inc first bautastone in Amer =
lca IN modern times, was erected in
memory of Bjornstjerne Bjornson on
May II, 1904. The bautastone was
delivered by Erik GUIDE. brother of
! owe GUIDE, the Norwegian ambassador
| at Washington, d. c. AS Rollo and
his Normandy will interest the people
or the northwest It is now the right
Clme to reprint part of the speech by
president Worst when he accepted the
BJornson bautastone. He said:
II we would write the history of
Ehglaad, If We would understand the
forces that have shaped her destiny
and made her stand forth the best or
gantzed, the most free and most ag-
gressive nation in Europe, we must
go back to the barons of Normandy
to that home of song and valor and
adventure and chivalry, whence the
great William brought his victorious
army. There we find the Norsemen
known as the dread vikings of the
early centuries transplanting their fe
rocity, independence love of song and
poetry and desperate adventure to the
sunny, cline of France, under whose
mlIder influence of human liberty for
England, America and all mankind.
centuries hence when time shall
nave lent the future scribe the neces
sary perspective to write the real his
tory of America, 20 justly and ade
quately estimate it's Industrial progress
and intellectual worth he will find as
not the least among the sources whence
came its strength and life the great
Morse colony, the modern Normandy
OF this northwest.
Through Normandy the, Norsemen
have left their mark on human civil
ization in England and her colonies
FOR all time to come. Through the
millions of Norsemen TODAY holding
and occupying large portions of I'LL
nois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota,
North Dakota a. d South Dakota.
region as much more fertile, as much
larger in extent, as much greater in
possibilities than Normandy. as is the
mission and destiny of free America
greater than that of any European
country, this the purest branch of the
Ieutonic race, will again make history. |
shape destiny and help determine the
veal and woe of millions yet to come. |
among the marks and evidences that
shall tell the spirit and temper of
these Morse pioneers this monument |
VIII bear unimpeachable testimony as
10 their sympathies and as to the |
things they priced and placed fore
most among their sacred possessions. /
a thousand years have interviewed be- /
-Ween their invasion and peaceful oc- !
;upatlon of Northern America With |
me Teuton's capacity for growth the |
oarbarous customs and cruel ways OF |
old nave gradually given way to the |
nllder arts of peace and the more be. |
leYolent attitude of christian thought, |
out the energy the courage 10 dare ,
ana do, the love of art and letters, the
mpatience of tyranny, the desire for
reedom in these qualities still lives
ne viking. spirit of ancient days, and |
u these qualities. Bjornson stands as
ne leader of his people, and one of
he apostles of mankind in general.
n him the common peoples mind and
is pergonfied 1t takes q
generation to develop and determine
| mans character Centuries are nee
'ssary to determine the traits and
Qualities of nation."
This speech has been an eyeopener
o me. The Red river valley ought to
'e the center in the Normandy of
America And Fargo must be regard
ID as the capital city In this region.
i is therefore proper that we try to
ret located at this place the best mon
lments of Norman Industry and art.
The statue of the founder of the
European Normandy Is only a KEY
we can open some doors to
he treasures thai are In store for as
Is claimed that this state last year
moved it's crop mainly with its own
money. We have therefore reached q
tage Of Independence necessary for
making beginning for monumental
rt for our state. 1t will be beneficial
n many directions. especially in edu-
alton. The unwilling of the Rollo II
tatue on July 4, 1911, will repay the
expenses connected with the erection
nd unveiling many times 1T VIII \
e q noble advertisement in the United