The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-07-19
News of North Dakota
APOLOGY MADE
BY COMMITTEE
Prof. Olson's Speech at the
dwelling of Rollo Statue
Not Appropriate.

Fargo, n. D., July 19.-Planned by
its promoters as an occasion of peace
and good will the unwilling of the
Rollo statue in Fargo last week ave
cause for a break between the French
and the Norwegian elements of the
celebration which only time can close.
Smouldering embers Of Indignation,
lighted by what is termed an attack
upon the Catholic church, made by
Professor julius Olson, principal
speaker of the unwilling, which SEEM
cd about to burst into flames are like
~ to be %quenched by the explanation
and note of regret offered by the COM
mittee in charge of the unwilling to-
day.
Many Left dwelling.
From every quarter of the city re-
ports lave been coming of the indig-
nation aroused by the sighting re-
marks concerning the Catholic church
and the French nation which We're
made by the speaker of the day.
French and Catholic citizens who
entered heartily into the preparations
for the unwilling ceremonies left the
gathering before the speech of the day
was concluded and refused to nave
any further connection with the cele-
bration in honor of the ancient Morse
man.
Impossible to Quiet 1t.
From various sources the whole af-
fair has been discussed. Leaders of
both factions ave ~cndeavored to quiet
the rumors OF disagreement n let
the affair sink into the history of the
occasion unnoticed. So great was the
criticism of the attack, however. that
Il formal note has beer issued by the
committee.
Refused TO Attend Banquet.
Father LeLonde. in charge Of the
parish in the French settlement, near
Wild Rice. expressed the attitude of
the French and Catholic participants
quet in honor of the guests of the day
as the Masonic temple, Friday even
ing.
Father LaLonde, who was expected
to respond to the toast France and
who is considered one of the ablest
speakers in the state. refused to be
present at the banquet after his
church and nation had been the sub
:iect of the criticism by the speaker of
the day. The toast had to be dropped
from the program.
Olson We'll Recommended.
Professor Julius Olson, a member of
tHe ldtuIlN pl tHe University OF WIS
cOnSin. was secured to make the adj
dress of the day on the Recommended
ton that he was convcrsant with the
purposes of the celebration and with
the ideals of the donors of the statue.
1t was thought that he would be i'm
thorough sympathy with the move
ment to unite the Norwegian and Nor
mar races in America.
Criticizcs French Nation.
In the course of his address. how
ever, Professor Olson launched forth
into criticism of the Catholic church
and also into a criticism of the french
nation. AS the church and the nation
We're both strongly represented, the
members of the Rollo committee con-
sidered the action ill-advised.
Before the close of the address
many of the prominent French and
Catholic participants in the celebra-
ton left the grounds where the statue
was unveiled. They refused to parti-
cipate in the occasion further.
DR.. Cliarest is Emphatic.
DR.. j. G. Charest, head of the COM
mittee which arranged for the Rollo
celebration is particularly emphatic in
his Remuneration of Professor Olson
and his attack.
The unwilling of the statue of Roll
10 was meant to typify more than any
thing else the friendship of the French
and the Norwegian races who look
back with pride to their common an
cestor." said DR.. Charest today. That
the occasion was made use of to criti-
else is much to be regretted"
Showed Lack Of Tact.
we believed when we secured the
consent of Professor Olson to act as
the chief speaker of the day that we
had secured an exceptionally able man.
Our belief seems to have been UNI
founded, however.
The speaker showed lack of tact,
courtesy and refinement. AS head of
the committee 1 am very sorry that
anything occurred to mai the glory Of
a day that was otherwise so auspi-
cious for the future of the races in
America.
Luthcr's Name Not Needed.
Many Of us admire Martin Luther
as a great religious teacher. We do
not think. however, that it was neces-
sary to bring his name into the oc-
casion of this celebration. Martin
Luther lived centuries after the period
in which Rollo lived and accomplish
ed his good for mankind. There is
little OF no connection between the
two.
The speaker, we think. had inter-
ests of his own to subserve."
At Poorly Chosen Time.
Other members Of the Rollo COM
mittee expressed the am sentiments
today. The leaders in the movement
all declare that Professor Olson's at
tack was made at a most poorly chos-
en- time. The lack of courtesy directed
toward the guest of the day, the Sec
rotary of the French embassy, was al
so remarked.
Decline to Talk,
Prominent French residents refused
to express an opinion for publication
although they are unanimous in de-
crying the attack which was made
upon their nation and the Catholic
church. The apology of the committee
has done much to change the attitude
so far as local feeling goes. Professor
Olson's attack Will not soon be for
given or forgotten. however.
The apology of the Rollo commit
tee follows:
The Rollo statue committee deeply
regrets the controversial discourse de-
~livered by Prof. Julius Olson of the
state University of Wisconsin at the
unwilling Of the Rollo monument on
July IL . and hastens to assure the
public in this manner that the Rollo
statue committee was not cognizant Of
the import Of this discourse In adj
vance.
The speaker was a professor of rep-
utatiOn as an orator and the commit
tee felt safe that his judgment as to
the proprieties of the occasion were
equal to his eagerness and reputed
ability. and for that reason he was not
called upon to submit his manuscript
for examination.
The Rollo statue committee recog-