Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-04-25
II l7THOF NAY

Arrangements are being made for the Observance OF
the l7th Of May in Grand Forks in a manner oppropri-
ate to its historic significance ana In keeping Of the spirit
Of the times in which Ne Snve:.s TO very many Of ahs in
habtants OF the northwest this day stands out al one OF
the red letter days on the calendar because Of the ASSOC
Citations which surround it, and because many Of our peo-
pie trace their origin to the northern land in which the
day is observed as a national holiday.
The 18th of.May is the anniversary Of the declara-
ton Of Norwegian independence. But it does more than
mark the creation Of a new and Independent nation. 1t
marks a distinct step! forward in the march Of the human
race toward the ultimate goal OF complete civil ana re-
lisious liberty; for, when the&Norwesian nation was cres
ated as a separate and distinct entity there was estab-
lished as its foundation the same principle Of freedom
upon which all democratic government rests. Expressed
in different phraseolosy, recorded in varying forms, the
basic principles Of government in France, Britain and
America are identical, and sharing that identity is the
constitution Of Norway which was adopted on the 18th
of May more than a century ago. And it is not Norway
alone in which this spirit has expressed itself, for the
Norwegian constitution has been in part an outgrowth OF,
and in part a contribution to the growth of the spirit Of
democracy in the entire group of scandinavian countries.
There is at times discussion as to the propriety of
the observance in the United States, and especially in this
time of war, Of days devoted to the comnenoration Of
events which have transpired in other countries than our
own. 1t is obvious that if these observances, or any OF
them, take on the character of the Justification Of ideals
which are contrary to those toward which the American
nation is striving. and il they tend in any way to weaken
the attachment Of Americans to their own country and
to lessen attachment to the cause to which the American
nation is committed, good taste, expediency and sound
principles of patriotism alike prohibit them.
But it is surely fitting that in this country of all
others, where our population has been drawn from 80
many sources. the development of the spirit Of 'democra-
'c, wherever and whenever it has manifest itself, should
be concentrated. Our own state government recc gniz-
ed this fact when it caused to be incorporated among it's
official papers and published in its Blue Book the text
Of the Great Charter which was wrested seven hundred
years ago from the unwilling hands of King John. And
it is equally fitting that on the anniversary Of the event
recognition should be given to the contribution to human
liberty in another land and at a later date. and that those
who have come to us from that land should, in the light
of that great achievement. dedicate themselves anew to
the pursuit on this continent. of the same ideals to which
their fathers committed themselves so unreservedly.
1t goes without saying that whatever may be the ex-
act form Of the exercises on May 18th, they will be in
keeping with the real spirit of the occasion, and of the
circumstances in which those who participate find them
selves. 49, |...