The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-11-22
GRAND. { | ]. old KNuITE,
He Tells Foreigners That They Owe
All to the Opportunities Af-
forded them by the U. S.
In the Land of Their Birth They Would
Have Been Hewers of Wood
and Drawers of Water. g

There never is any question where
Senator Knute Nelson stands when the
interests of the United States are in
volved. He is ever and always true
blue American.
In the sixties, when he had barely
reached his majority, the brave Nor
wegian boy bid adieu to his widowed
mother in her little Wisconsin home,
shouldered his musket and for four
years manfully battled for the cause
of the union.
Since those momentous days he has
had honors thrust upon him by his adj
miring fellow citizens-not because of
his soldier-record but by reason of his
native worth and ability. He has been
prosecuting attorney in Wisconsin and
Minnesota, served in the legislature of
both states, represented the old Fifth
district for three successive terms in
the lower branch of congress, been
twice elected governor of the state,
and is now serving his fourth consec-
utive term as United States senator
from this state-an election to the
U. S. senate is the highest political
honor that can be bestowed upon any
foreign-born citizen in this country.
He has never proved recreant to
any trust reposed in him by the peo-
pie. He has ever been true to the
best interests Of his country. He has
courageously performed every duty
that has been imposed upon him.
Is it any wonder that he stands high
in the estimation Of his senatorial COL
leagues regardless of party affilia-
tions; that he possesses the confidence
Of President Wilson in a remarkable
degree, and that he is revered by the
people of Minnesota?
Last Saturday at the great loyalty
meeting in Minneapolis Senator Mel
son was one of the principal speakers.
when asked in Washington what the
great mass of northwestern people Of
foreign birth and blood will do he an
swered as he did in his patriotic Min
neapolis address:
''You will find them side by side
with the descendants of the Puritans
and the Cavaliers. That is what I
tell them. We who were born on the
other side Of the sea owe a debt of
gratitude beyond all recompense to
/ America. She welcomed us with open
arms and gave us equal opportunities.
How many Of us in the old world
would have risen to places of honor {?
We would have continued as hewers of
wood and drawers Of water. After
enjoying all these privileges, why
should we not be as loyal and patriotic
as it is possible for an American citi-
zen to be?
i "When a wife leaves her mothers
house and goes to live with her hus-
band his home should be uppermost in
her affections. We have married
America, as it were, and if we cannot
regard her as foremost in our affec-
tions we should go back where we
came from.
Il want to say to you German
Americans, who came over here to
find free institutions, why not help to
give the people left in your old coun-
try the same equal advantages you
have secured here. We cannot bring
Germany over here, but we can bring
them American liberty and free gov
eminent, and we are going to do it,
too.
@'The old Norwegian pirates, who
were my ancestors, I suppose, believed
that the man who died in battle was
especially blessed and went straight to
Valhalla. feel sure that the Ameri-
can boy who dies in battle comes
much nearer heaven than the Stacker
who stays at home"