The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-07-12

It was somewhat after 10 o'clock
this morning when the biennial Nor
wegian Singers Association of Am-
erica convention began its session.
The hour set for the opening Of the
big event had been fixed at 9 o'clock.
but 1t was over over an hour after
that before the singers really assem-
bled
There were In the neighborhood of
1000 present when Lars Christianson
of this city, president of the associa-
ton called the meeting to order and
introduced Mayor William ID. Sweet
who delivered the address of welcome
Mayor Sweets Address.
His honor was at his best and be-
gan his remarks by rehearsing the
fact that over a year ago President
Christianson had called at the mayors
office and had made official announce
ment that the sangerfest could be se-
cured for Fargo, provided the city
would guarantee a suitable place in
which to hold the concerts. Fargo
promised to have building in which
to house the singers said the mayor,
"and she has kept her word" and he
was greeted with applause This
building is but a temporary structure,
and we feel confident that when YOU
come again you will be greeted with
a magnificent structure in the shape
of an auditorium. The steps are be-
ing taken for that purpose and they
will be successful.
Ses rns Necessity. i
During the past summer Fargo has
seen the great necessity Of such q
great structure was filled and for a
solid week from 5000 to 1000 Nor
wegians were here and filled it at
times to overdoWing and we can
promise you that there will be suit
able auditorium when you come
again The mayor then welcomed
the singers In a most happy address
to welcome gatherings OF this kind
and he earnestly hoped that they
would come hack again.
Concluding Remarks.
81 bring you welcome to our city, =
said he in closing 'T assure you of
our appreciation that Fargo has been
DISTINGUISHED as the meeting place
of this notable assembly. but be-
lieve there Is no other place in AM
erica more appropriate for meeting
place of Norwegians than the city OF
Fargo. There is no other place that
represents more the average center of
Norwegian population; there is no
other place where its language is more
generally understood; no place where
its literature Is more often read; no
place where its activities are more
apparent; no place where its music
is more often sung.
'"Ehe great Bismarck one said: If
/ may write songs of a nation 1 care
not who makes it's laws q. significant
tribute of the wondrous influence of
music, whether upon individuals or
upon nations. Music Is the language
Of the soul. Through no other me-
dunn can we so deeply sound the
depths OF the emotions; through no
other medium can we so awaken the
remotest memories and through no
other medium can we SO arouse the
loftiest aspirations OF man. it mat
ters not whether it Is the song of the
lullaby sung to the infant In the era
die or whether 1t Is the last wall in
Nearer MY God to Thee, as sung from
the deck OF the Titanic when took her
final plunge L Is always the same
from the commencement Of life to the
end Of life and ali through life, no
other force is so impelling and whose
influence reaches so far save that of
love, as music"
Welcome Frcm Moorhead.
Greeting in behalf Of the city of
Moorhead, were made by George K.
Perley. He said in part:
At the request of Hon. w. III. Davy,
mayor OF the little city Of Moorhead
across the Red, who is taking his OUT
ing amid the forest and lakes sur
rounding the head waters of the Mis-
sissippi, it becomes my pleasant duty
today, in behalf of the 5000 people of
. our busy town. to greet you, and to
extend to you our hearty welcome to
the Red river valley and this great
northwest In general, and to Fargo,
Moorhesd, our homes and our hearts,
in particular.
We can't show you grand old noun
tains, to which you and we may lift
up our eyes for strength and inspira-
tion. We can't show you hills and
valleys, or the "ceaseless play OF the
grand old ocean. We can't show you
as many people to square mile as some
of you have at home; but we can and
do proclaim to you this wonderful
and fertile Red river valley, 300 miles
long and from forty TO seventy five
miles wide, the great bread basket
of the world. which experts say, can
when properly farmed, comfortably
feed 1000, 900, 900 souls.
You do we'll TO come this long jour-
ney to inspire and reinvigorate your
souls at this holy fount.
No one can DOUBT with the memory
Of that worlds queen Of song as well
as of philanthropy and true woman
liness, Jenny Lind. and that other
great artist singer Christine Nilsson;
OF Ole Bull. the great vioIinist, who
set this country wild with enthusiasm
at his wonderful playing OF Grieg.
perhaps the greatest Of modern com
pcserg; of Sibelius and Linderlnan,
and Of the Scandinavian folk music,
that Scandinayians are in a marked
6egree great musical ana music low
ing race.
In coming here you will see around
you everywhere. the achievements OF
your colmtrynnen, In town ana country,
ia business, ia education aud in re-