Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-24
SWEDES DECLARE
THEY ARE LOYAL
Pass Resolutions at Midsummer fest-
val at Prospect Park, However,
Which Condemn Hyphen.
THEIR TRADITIONS DEFENDED
Would Have Government Build NUM-
ton Plants on Rock Island Arse
naI-Dr. Andreen Speaker.

-0usands OF Swedish-Amerlcan res
idents Of Moline this afternoon rose to
their feet in the Prospect park audito-
rum and voiced their approval OF
series of resolutions asserting that
Rock Island arsenal is the most favor
able location in the entire United
States 10 establish the munition plants
ri the government, and approved &C
ton of the committee in stating thai
il is matter of vital public interest
that the plants already here be en-
Iarged-
In the same set of resolutions the
Moline residents declared that their
entire allegiance is TO the land OF their
adoption. but that the attempt OF po-
rtical demagogues to juggle the ny
nhen is an insult TO their ideals and
standards. that there is no necessity
of saving my country. right or wrong,
and that the traditions OF the native
land can always be preserved IN tender
md sacred memory without impairlng
the ideals OF citizenship. Complete set
of resolutions which were adopted is
appended:
The American citizen of Swedish
extraction Yields to no man in his de-
votion to the ideals of a nation con-
ceived in liberty and dedicated to the
proposition that all men are created
equal. We maintain that true Ameri-
ranism is not question OF terms for
political self-seekers to juggle with
but a matter of rightmindedneS and
LOYALTY at heart While we regret re-
rent attempts TO cast doubt upon the
natriotism of loyal citizens on the
mere ground of foreign birth or de-
scent by Haunting the hyphen in theil
faces as a sure sign Of divided alleg
lance. if not of treachery and sedltlon
We cannot fail 10 note the 1imsy anC
unsubstantial nature Of such charge
which, if true, would sunder our ma
lion into hostile factions and leave
not so much as color guard AROUND
our country's flag.
Our conception of American libert!
is as high as that Of the founders o
The American republic, who establish
ed equality regardless of blood or ma
L;vity. and as broad as that Of the late
defenders of the union of states, VIII
amended our constitution so as to ex
tend the rights and privileges OF Clti
zenship to all permanent dWeliers O.
American soil, disregarding race
color and previous condition OF servi
tude In view of these well-establsh
I'd theories of citizenship and the pal
nnt fact that the tremendous arme
conflict now being Waged in the oil
world neither has Visibly affected tn
mutual good will OF the various racia
elements in our own country no
shaken or impaired the loyalty of
single nationality group among GU
citizens, the prevalent tendency, il
high official places. in the press an
on the street, to impeach the lOyalt
Of good American citizens on tn
ground OF descent or prior foreign al
legiance seems to US entirely uncalle
for, highly inopportune. ill-advised
and un-American in spirit.
Love OF Mother Country.
The prophet Daniel, a well-bor
youth of Israel. and later skilled i
the learning of the Chaldeans. whe
he had risen high in the councils of
great foreign state, refused TO wOrshi
its ruler as a god and, despite sus
picion and persecution, continued t
maintain private chamber the win
noWs of which were always open to
ward Jerusalem. So we hold as sell
evident these facts: that an America
citizen born no matter where, so lon
rs he is Well-born, and educated as a
American, is fit for any position i
the councils OF our nation; that h
need not subscribe to Decatur's die
tum, My country, right or wrong
a n
right to exercise independent jude
ment on all matters, including tn
public expressions Of government off
Gals, from the president down; an
that he may keep his windows ope
toward the land Of his birth, speak tn
tongue and cherish the traditions c
his mother country, and thus maintai
an outlook beyond the confines of tn
land OF his voluntary choice. all thi
without reflection on his loyalty @
prejudice TO his citizenship.
One hundred years ago the frs
outpost of the federal government wa
established in this locality Tn
stronghold known as Fort Armstron
was built primarily for the defense {
peaceful settlers against possil-o a.
lacks by warlike tribes. Phone = i-ol
older settlements soon locate tNr
and after 40 years neWcome.s I bI
the northland began to arrive in nun
bers and make their homes in the re
claimed wilderness around the fort
fed island. These northerners, toda
large part OF the prosperous popula
;ton Of this cluster Of thriving an