Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-08
FESTIVAL OF
NORSEMEN IS
NOT CERTAIN
Some Uncertainty Felt rs to
Propriety of May II
Celebration.

NSleOI&IlOu.
Norwegians Of Grand Forks arc di-
vided on the question of whether or
not celebration of the Norwegian
Independence day. May II. should be
held this year.
The discussion Ii the result of the
suggestion issued by the publisher Of
one of the chief Norwegian Journals
Of the country tina: the celebration
should not bo held this yea. On &C.
s,s. when America First" should DO
the slogan of all citizens.
I y. Fe,g, vice consul for NORWAY
In this city. said Tuesday night that
he was not ready as yet to express
an opinion in the matter ~ he would
prefer first to confer with other
Norsemen of the city in tho matter.
So. Quiet Ceaehs.taon.
Ole Waxvik, president of tho local
lodge of the Sons Of Norway, said
Tuesday night that while it had not
definitely been decided, it was prob
able that q quiet celebration would
be held by the members Of the lodge
and their immediate friends.
II am inclined to think that is the
best method to be pursued under the
circumstances" said Mr.. Waxvik.
Tho opinions Of other prominent
Norsemen Of tho city follow:
o. B. Burtness-"I feel that in the
present crisis, as we'll as at all other
times, the thoughts Of every true
American, be he native or naturalized,
should be. centered on America first,
last and all the time. That is the SIM
pie duty Of every citizen. On the con-
trary. do not believe that gather
land Of their fathers which bears
pleasant relations With the United
States Is necessarily inimical to the
best interests Of tho country.
while I am unalterahly opposed to
noisy celebrations. calling public at
tention to tho people Of any national
fty on May II, March II or any other
day.. see no reason why people OF
foreign birth or parentage canno. on
such days quietly gather In commeln-
grafton of traditions dear to them. for
by so doing their thoughts naturally
turn to their adopted land, the great
them and their families and conse-
quently their duty to it,. This duty Of
Americans to America Is usually not
overlooked. but rather particularly
emphasized in such gatherings and
that Is the only spirit in which they
should ever be held"
Points to Others.
p. o. Thorson, president Of tho
Grand Forks branch of tho Nord.
mands Forbundet:
Il can see no reason for not cele-
brating the 18th of May this year the
same as in the past. understand that
tho Scotch are going to have q mon
ster meetingl hero next summer-we
ism.
THE Irish have been organizing
some kind Of fraternal order here and
we still believe they are loyal Amert-
cans.
The American colony in Christian
ia celebrates the Fourth of July, and l
believe the American colonies in Lon
don. Berlin and Paris and Vienna
have. during peace times, done the
same.
These celebrations may not be
proper at any time, but this year ts
not different from other years. It may
not be proper to hold North Dakota
picnic In California It is all done In
the same spirit.
III this is a question that deserves
serious consideration, then this coun-
try Is In very critical condition"
Similar to America.
Peter Myrvold-'There are many
reasons why tho 18th Of May should
be remembered in the United States
In these days Of anxiety. The day
commemorates an event in the
worlds history Of a small nation
standing out aingle-handed and alone
against tho mighty powers Of Europe
In defense OF the principle that the
freedom Of a people, however small,
cannot be bartered away by q ruler or
a group Of rulers.
Tho events which led up to the
18th Of May. 1914, shows that q peo-
pie. standing out for the Fundamental
principles Of liberty and justice, can
not be crushed. It should not detract
from any ones Americanism to re-
member this object lesson, gathered
from the pages Of history.
If it Is true, as President Wilson
says. that the Americans are no long
er provincials, but citizens Of the
world, all Americans will no doubt
find 1t very hitting that we here re-
member the day whom Norway, one
OF the family Of nations to which
America belongs. gained its liberty
and its Independence. And every
American can and will sincerely Join
in the wish that she will always main
tain It,"
Stands for liberty.
L. ]. Siljan-"I think it unfortunate
that this discussion was brought up
In the first place. although I have no
doubt that the author, or authors, of
the idea were prompted by the best
Of intentions. The celebration on the
18th Of May. like that of the Fourth
OF July, Is tribute to national liber-
ty and democracy in civic government.
ThereAas no disloyalty in this country
In commemorating the eventful 90.
currence at Eidsvold one hundred and
three years ago. It has been done for
two generations now in all parts Of
the world wherever. men and women
Of Morse birth live. The loyalty Of
Norwegian Americans to their adopt
ed country has never been questioned
so far, and there will be no occasion
to question 1t in the. future. The Nor
wegian nag has been carried by Nor
weeian Americans against the enc
mics of the Union. It was ombroidor-
ed on the regimental banner of the
18th Wisconsin during the Civil war,
and the soldiers themselves celebrated
the 18th Of May in the trenches and
on the battlefields. In my mind, there
is no reason for changing the mode
of celebration this year. It would be a
fitting day for our people to tell the
rest of tho world of American unity
In critical times. A rousing celebra-
tion now would tend to solidify rather
than to split. The commemoration Of
May II ts no boat-rocking affair."
Entertainment At s'Y'-The dormi--
tory mon Of the Grand Forks r. NJ.
Y II