The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-05-18
banquet Here This Evening at Sons of Norway HalCere
monies This Morning at Agricultural College

Christiansand a monument, and on
the foot an inscription from the Inde~
pendent Order of B'Nai Birth. in
whose behalf am here and as a repre-
sentative OF the race he befriended,
gave this humble floral offering as a
tribute to him who recognized the
great truth that all men are created
free and equal and that there should
be no discrimination on account OF
race or creed.
But ladies and gentlemen, the event
which we are commemorating Is one
which is too broad, too universal to be
confined to any individual race OF
creed. The love Of liberty and the
pursuit Of happiness is deeply engen-
dered in the hearts of men in all
nations and climes. And in this
hberty-loving land, in this great
heaven Of refuge we stand here as
Americans and pay. tribute to the
memory Of the spirit of one who de-
voted his life in advocating the prin-
ciples Of liberty and equality Of man.
Henrik Wergeland passed away in
the prime Of his life at the age Of 81
years, the age when most men are just
commencing their lifes work. But his
brief career was one of action, Of inces-
SAINT labor and strife, for like all great
men he was not without his enemies
and was often subject to scorn and
rtdicule, and his motives misunder-
stood. And while he did not live to
reap the fruits Of his labors, his work
was not in vain, for he endeared
himself to the hearts of his country
men as has no other man in it's pres
ent day history, and he has indelibly
impressed his name in the hall OF
fame"
Professor VowIes' Address.
In opening the afternoons cere-
monies at Wergeland's statute in Is
land Park, Professor Vowles said II
part; speaking in Norwegian:
st is pleasure to me to be able to
address my Norwegian fellow citizens
in their own tongue. America has
been called melting-pot of races;
we Of North Dakota are fortunate in
that the best elements of the Euro
pean races are coming to us. We are
grateful to the Norwegians for what
they have. done and are doing for us In
North Dakota. And in a larger sense
we are grateful for their world serv-
ice.
SON, Grieg, Ole Bull and Wergeland;
AA1SAA "ASA4A MO GlAS 4aOAlOGA4G AOuety b6~
long not only to Norway but to all man
kind. My interest in the language and
literature of Norway began with my
fourteenth year and from the ffrst
there was something in Henrik Verge
lands cordial nature that appealed to
me. 1--WE love him when he says I
long to press the cubhole world to
myself as a friend
my educational institutions are
now giving courses in Norwegian. ]
am glad to say that Fargo college
which I represent, was not the last to
introduce Norwegian into it's curricu-
lum, and / am. proud to be numbered
among the few Americans who are
giving Norwegian instructions. Al
Fargo college Norwegian receives the
same credit as German, French, Latin
and Greek.
people. They transfer their love OF
country to us without cherishins the
homeland any less as the present ex-
odus to Norway testifies. We need
people Of a patriotic temperament in
America. In this new and composite
democracy 1t is easy to realize that
men are brothers, brothers in the
struggle for the common veal"
Exercises at A. c.
There was a fine program given in
honor of the day at the North Dakota
Agricultural college where a tribute
was paid Bjornstperne Bjornson
whose bautastone was unveiled ten
years ago ON the college campus.
With unusual dignity President
Worst presided at the ceremonies and
delivered the preliminary address be-
fore introducing the speakers Of the
day. The chief speaker of the occasion
was President Aasgaard of Concordis
college.
This able educator presented a
comprehensive review of European his
tory after the battle Of Waterloo. BY
an imprudent act on the part Of the
English, who demanded the Danish
Norwegian fleet which was taken by
force so Admiral Nelson could destroy
Copenhagen IL the Danish king would
not yield, Denmark and Norway were
forced to take sides with Napoleon
This caused the separation of Den.
mark and Norway.
After passing hurriedly over the his
tory Of Norway, President Aasgaar6
mentioned some Of the nations grea
men such as Bjornstjerne Bjornsor
and others, who had contributed 8,
much to worlds literature, music ant
art.
He spoke from the standpoint Of Z
Norwegian born in America. He went
on to explain what the Norwegian,
had done In the northwest as pioneers
OF a great commonwealth togethe
with the pioneers of other nationali
ties, for whom he had only words o.
praise to say.
The music was furnished by tn,
North Dakota Agricultural collegs
cadet band under the leadership O.
Director Bachman. The program con.
sisted OF some beautiful numbers Of
Norwegian music. David Sonduis
sang ia vi Elsker Dette Landet. Thi:
was followed by q college yell, giver
by the entire student body for Presi
dent Aasgaard OF Concordia college
and DIR. III. o. F'jelde.
President Worst concluded the pro.
gram with appropriate remarks on the
famous author, Bornstierne Bjornson
after which the entire aggregation
sang America.
Continued on Page Ten.