Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-23
ANNUAL BANQUET
OF CHORUS HELD
Speakers Tell OF the Benefits Of the
Music and Song of the People Of
the Midnight Sun.
aTIT DESCRIBES BEAUTIES
Carl Londberg Gives Historical Sketch
OF Singing Body at Moline Club
Gathering.

OF the benefit music and song OF the
midnight sun has done to preserve
Swedish ideals of the Swedish people
in America was told last evening by
Professor Adolf HUT of Augustana
college, who was main speaker at the
Syea Male chorus annual banquet.
If we keep our ideals we will al
WAYS be Young, said the speaker. Life
is still full of beautiful things-song
and music. and with these we are able
to preserve our ideals in life.
1T is a privilege to community to
hear a chorus that can sing in the
language Of its members, in the Ian
guage so sweet as the Swedish de-
clared Professor HUT in opening.
Then passing briefly over facts of his
torical interest in development of the
Svea chorus, he said:
There have been many changes in
the community and through it all
beauty of the Swedish song still lives.
We owe thanks to the chorus for per-
petuating this beautiful music, and to
the public for supporting it." To Pro-
fessor Stolpe the speaker paid a glow
Ing tribute for his efforts in develop
ing the Svea.
II marvel at his patience said the
speaker. But he was an idealist and
he perhaps found beauty in music,
though it was not of the best. 1t is a
great thing to have been honored with
his presence; he gave US the best he
had in him-his presence, assistance,
counsel and forbearance.
All are immigrants in America, and
the American culture and civilization
which may be found. strictly speaking,
Is that of the Indian, who was the
only real American. Strength of
Yankee culture lies in the fact that he
has kept his historical connections.
But all of US are hyphenated Ameri-
cans Culture is in the veins for hun
dreds of years; it is not product of
colleges and universities. Immigrants
from every other country to America
lave kept alive their native ideals and
that has been the mission of the Svea
Male chorus in Moline 1t has pre-
Herved the song of the Northland and
there is no more beautiful music, We
should keep our heritage Of song, foi
e we throw away our ideals of inheri-
lance what may We expect in return
We a~e in the land of our birth. here
where we stav for III or for good; ans
die for the nation we live in, if neces
iury."
Judge Larson T'OastTGster.
Judge Nels A. Larson acquitted him
SELF well as postmaster. and his clev
uness of speech added greatly to thu
Enjoyment of the evening. He was in
PRODUCED by Charles Brunstrom, presi
dent of the chorus, who made few
remarks regarding the occasion. Thu
banquet room on the third floor of tn
Moline club was decorated with Amer
lean flags, large and small, and tn
red white and blue was blended witt
the Swedish national colors on the or
chestra loft. In the center of each ia
BILE was a vase filled with fragran
carnations, while on the speakers ia
be were several clusters of gladiolas
During the banquet an orchestra CAV
program of classic and popular mu
BILE were several clusters of gladioll+
Gle, and at conclusion of the repast, in
terspersing the speeches, the Sve
boys charmed the audience with thei
Einging. Rev Granville Sherwood
rector of Trinity Episcopal church 0
Rock Island. gave the invocation.
Carl Londberg, in giving a historica
sketch of the Svea Male chorus, pal
a beautiful tribute to the music of tn
Northland He said in part:
Music is one of the most beautiful
acquisitions our country has receive
from those who were recently deride
ns hyphenates-mu of the North
land with its inspiring harmony an
pathos, the songs breathing the spir
OF the heroic past, the songs that SIT
the soul and inspire to greater effort
that enoble the heart, and make fC
better men and citizens. Years ag'
probably half a century ago, the frs
acandinavian musical organization
v ere started on larger and more pei