Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-04

zens that you are being charged in
certain parts of America with being
lukewarm to the cause of the United
States in its contest for its life as a
republican against Prussia and her
imperial power. / must tell you that
in certain parts of America, Scandi-
naVian citizens of the United States
are being charged with disloyalty to
the republic Of their adoption. You
are being charged with giving your
sympathies against the United States,
which is today harboriRg and protect
ing you and to which land you came
for liberty, for home and for freedom
to your children. You must know
from me that one of the grievances
Germany has against America, for
which today she is striking at us with
all her strengths that we furnished
supplies of food and necessities to the
Scandinavian people. She charges us
with sending our produce to Denmark,
by which Denmark could transfer 1t TO
her enemies in Britain; sending her
supplies to Sweden, who is charged
with sending hers to Russia, supply
ing the wants Of Norway, who is
charged with transferring hers to
Britain and France. For this we are
being hated and assailed by Prussian
military power, and u-Scandinavians
are being charged with turning your
back on your adopted land and giving
sympathies TO its enemies in their
fight on America for having served
with necessities your fatherland.
Scandinavians, the present test lis the
first trial of America as against for
eign empires it has had since your
great and law-abiding people came TO
our midst. America has its eyes upon
you. You who are loyal and faithful
viii be rewarded without end-but
you who shall prove that in the very
first test to which you were put, as to
whether you would be American or
European in the hour of your coun-
try's peril, that you deserted America
or betrayed her, after all she has
given to you in liberty or blessings,
viii bring upon yourself the scorn of
mankind, upon your children the loss
OF respect and the denial of their
countrys love and rewards. More, YOU
Will close the gates Of this land to
your own blood and kinsmen for all
future years. You will shut the doors
OF America against all of Scandinavia
and force them to either abide in the
limited opportunities of their north
land, or take refuge in every other
part Of the world than America as an
abiding place.
Il am glad to stand in this presence.
in the auditorium which is part OF The
greatest seats of learning that the
Swedish people have given to this
country and see that whatever NAV he
charged to Scandinavian people else
where does not apply here. for I have
seen with mine own eyes of vour
patriotism, as demonstrated this night
and l know.
This war now on is the test II
America shall live as the first renublic
OF the earth, or, now meeting the test
that was sure to come upon IL, meeting
the attack was surely TO be brought
against it. will quail and in e0wardice
surrender or in weakness wither, let
ting their country famish and dacav
before the eyes of men and their cit
liens die under neglect OF murder be-
fore the face Of the earth.
This war Of the world Is at the
doors OF America. The overcoming of
a portion OF Russia by the military
power of Prussia, through the treach-