Decorah-posten og ved arnen., 1918-03-22

ana Formidable adversary. III was
once more a Goliath pitted against a
David, and David. as of old. was en-
tirely victorious. The Monitor con-
tinued to ride triumphant in Hampton
Roads, while the Merrimac. limping
and disabled, slowly steamed back to
the navy yard at Norfolk where She
could veX US no more, and where she
soon met the fate of a suicide.
Ii was a most glorious and mo-
mentouS victory. 1t saved McClellan's
army and the OF our fleet.
II gave permanent immunity to the
harborS of the North and enabled us
10 maintain an effective and nearly
complete blockade OF the ports OF the
South.
1t had a restraining influence on
the statesmen of other countries. who
were eager to recognize the indie
pendencc of the Southern confederacy.
And II entirely revolutionized naval
warfare, and rendered the proud
wooden fleets OF the great naval
powers obSolct" and worthless.
That great Son OF Sweden and the
adopted son OF America, John Erics-
son, had, without the blare OF trum-
pets and in the midst of many difi-
c~ultieS. wrought this great miracle for
our relief. He had placed the hammer
OF Thor IN our hands at the most
critical period of the struggle for the
preservation OF the Union.
Sweden has, from first TO last, con-
trlhuted many Of her best sons and
daughters to America for its growth
and development. who have consti-
tuted and continue TO constitute one
of the best elements OF our hetero-
genous ethnic makeup. But the great
est contribution Sweden ever made
was when she gave us John Ericsson,
one of the nobleSt, greatest. and
braveSt OF all her sons. OH that he
were still young and with us to-day.
as in the days of the Monitorl If he
were, | feel confident that he would
furnish us an antidote against the
submarine. as effective as the antidote
he furnished us against the Merrimac.
He rendered many other important
services to our government during
the civil war. in addition to that OF
the Monitor. And he was often an
noyed, hampered and haraSsed by the
bureaucratic officers of the govern
ment, when rendering such services.
But his anxiety for our success, his
intense patriotism. and his loyalty TO
Il country were so paramount with
him that. regardless of these sights
and rebuffs, he persisted in giving all
that was in him, his soul and his
whole heart, to the welfare and sal
walton of II country.
And this lesson of loyalty and
patriotism he has left as a precious
legacy to us and to our children.
May that spirit OF patriotism and
loyalty, which was his during the
dreary days of the civil war, be ours
in full measure during the pending
war. Let us all have America and her
cause uppermost and foremost in our
love and affection, in war as we'll as
in peace.
While the remains-of John Ericsson
have found their final resting place
in his beloved Varmland - the land
that bore him and Graded him - yet
he seems as near and dear to us to-
night. in spirit at least, as in those
somber and trying times OF '6l-62.
when he came to the relief OF our
country in the hour of her great
distress.
when can his glory fade.
ooh! the brave charge he made;
"All the world wondered"
I &pnitantinupcl iinoeS ell SaocI.
nlngcr, iom moaife cr Soroens plbite
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