Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-04-16
SONS OF NORWAY TO MEET.
To Celebrate One hundredth Anniver
cary Of Signing Of Constitution.

Minneapolis, April 1S.-One hundred
years ago this spring, by the treaty OF
Kiel, Norway was ceded to Sweden
following the overthrow Of Napoleon
with whom an alliance had beer
formed by the king Of Denmark with
which Norway had been. united for al
most 500 years. Tie erMorwsxtans, when
the anti-Napoleonic powers sava Nor
way TO Sweden. held q convention at
E,dsvold and planned to safeguard
their rights as a nation. This ,conven-
ton adopted constitution which de-
clared Norway to be free and inde-
pendent kingdom and which estah-
lished a representative government for
the country.
This constitution was signed on May
II. 1914. and since then the day has
has been observed as a national holi-
day. Norwegian Fourth of July. May
II next will mark the one hnndredth
year Of the existence of this constitu-
tion and will be celebrated by Norweg-
ians all over the world.
For nearly a hundred yerrs Norway
and Sweden were ur 'tedA under the
same king. but in 1905 Norway with
drew from this agreement and since
then has been pursuing her destiny
under king Of her own. the same con
stitution still remaining the supreme
law OF the country.
This year the great celebration OF
the day in the United States Will be
held at the Minneapolis state fair
grounds, midway hetween st. Paul and
Minneapolis. There are practically a
million and half American citizens OF
Norwegian birth OF descent In the
United States and this celebration will
be the principal one held N the coun-
try.
The initiative in the celebration In
America has been taken by the
"Bygdelags." organizations Of persons
who trace their origin from one par
ticular civic or geographical division OF
Norway. similar to our state or coun-
tries. There are now organized some
thirty Of these organizations represent
ing practically every portion of Nor
way.
These organizations have combined
for the great celebration At the fair
grounds. There will be q three day
celebration. Saturday. the 10th, will be
devoted to meetings Of the various
"Bygdelags' concluding with general
meeting and a display Of fireworks In
the evening. On the 17th. Sunday the
exercises will be Of character befit-
ting the day. A number of bishops oi
the Church OF Norway will be present
and will conduct religious services. In
the evening great concert will be held
in one Of the largest buildings on the
grounds.
On Monday the great civic celehra-
tion will be hold. Hon. Fl. Rryn, Nor
wegian minister to the United States
has been specially delegated to rep
resent the Norwegian government al
this meeting and will bring message
from Norway. An attempt 10 being
made to induce President Wilson to at :
tend the meeting and he has promised
that II he 10 unable to be present he
will send a representative Of tho gov
ernment, probably Vice President Mar
shall. There win also be present a
number Of governors. members Of con-
gress and other distinguished people
from all over the states that have large
Norwegian populations.
Senator Knute Nelson. OF Minnesota,
who was born In Norway, Will prob
ably act ss chairman at the great cele-
braticn exercises and many other
prominent men Of the northwest will
take part.