Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-05-18
MORSE DAY OF
INDEPENDENCE
IS CELEBRATED
Speakers at Auditorium
Gathering Emphasize
Universally of Event.
PRINCIPLE THE
SAME EVERYWHERE
DR.. Wheeler, H. B. Finch, ].
G. Halland and ]. F. T.
O'Connor Speak.

Through oratorical and patriotic
metamorphoses Norway's Syttende
Mai celebration held yesterday after
noon at the Auditorium under the
auspices of the Norwegian Central
Committee, developed into a great
and stirring tribute to the spirit of
universal independence and to all ma
tons who love liberty dearly enough
to give all that they have and all that
they are for hat priceless treasure.
h ideal of liberty and independence
whose possession has caused the most
tremendous conflicts during the CEN
turtles, has had it's undying saga writ
in the reddest blood of many coun-
tries, and the large audience which
gathered yesterday evidenced in many
ways that the principle for which the
old nations ave fought and bled has
been glorified in the America of to-
day for which the manhood of the
country is offering its supreme sac
rifice.
1t was, in a. ense. the old-time
May Seventeenth celebration. but
with a. change of, emphasis. And
that, fact was really the keynote OF
all that was said in the speeches at
the meeting.
The Mayor and the Melting Pot.
The program of the afternoon
opened with the audience singing
america led by Basso's orchestra
and a recently organized male octette.
and then prof. HI. H. Aaker. who was
h chairman of the occasion, intro
duced DIR. Fl. M. Wheeler, mayor OF
Grand Forks.
Mayor Wheeler spoke of the United
States as the magnificent melting pot
of the world, and said that in a gen.
-f -...., kl-- o,o
to the new elements of which the
nation gradually assimiliated, more
and more, had been rather success
full. At all events. it mad been emil
.1ently successful as far as the Scam
dinavians were concerned. II here
and there the process had been a
failure, the mayor said, it must be be-
cause sufficient heat had been APP
piled to the melting pot. Let us
hope that those who were not sub
jected to sufficient heat in the melt
ing pot. may have it in the Great
Hereafter"
The mayor concluded his remarks
by asserting that Scandinavians in
the United States were 100 per cent
Americans.
The speech IA followed by 4 vocal
solo by Estelle Grindeland, who was
much applauded. and Red Cross work
was the next subject discussed.
H. r.. Finch. shairman of the Grand
\ Forks County Chapter of the Amer.
can Red Cross, described the work OF
n IN aid.
! ing those entrusted to her care. Mr..
Finch finally mad an appeal for un-
limited support OF the Red Cross Sec
ond allotment drive, (which starts next
Monday and lasts Il week.
Halland Speaks OF lNorecnncn.
Basso's orchestra, which had
donated its services. rendered Victor
Heruerts Princess Pat" following
which John G.. Halland, formerly
state superintendent of public in
struction, was introduced. i.
Mr.. Halland. in the course of an
inspiring address said that a'every
birthday of a declaration of inde-
pendence should be welcome in this
country. IF Germany had had some
Fourth OF July or SOM May Seven
tenth to celebrate instead of the
kaiser's birthday. the German people
would not have been where they are
today, with their backs against the
wall"
Describing the traits of the anci-
ent Vikings who roved over half the
world and settled in England, Ireland,
Scotland. France and other countries.
the speaker pointed out that some of
these characteristic traits could be
seen in their descendants even at this
ate lay, notably, that Of becoming
easily amalgamated with the nations
among whom they settled.
The Spirit of Freedom.
MIR. Ha!land said hat the spirit of
freedom always found Il way to assert
itself, and that this had been the case
of both the American and Norwegian
nations. Each of these countries had
foueht for freedom and attained it,
and they we're not willing to part with
it at any cost. The Norwegian at
honle was referred to as a serious and
sometimes a little melancholy man
who had been taught to hin among
the towering mountains and silent
fjords. When he, on May II, 1914,
found The opportunity to translate his
thoughts into action. he became ire
mendously Interested in politics.
This, the speaker said, %"accounts
for the fact that Norwegians who
romekto our shores so apparently cas-
~ take, up politics. During the last
tiles in. Norway to the square inch
than to- a whole township in North
Dakota-and that's going some"
Loyalty Of S,andInayians.
In finally reAerrilig to the intense
patriotism n loyalty of the Scandi-
navians in America, Mr.. Halland call
ed attention to the fact that the first
district to- ..ovsr-subscribe its Third
Liberty Loan quota was the Ninth
Federal district. .'T'hi is significant.
for that district embraces the states
where the .sorwegiaE. the Dane and
the Swede quilt their homes.
they are the developers Of the North
west, and at this time they SHOW in
q thousand ways that their LOYALTY,
their devotion to the cause of Ameri-
ca is whole-hearted, sincere and
spontaneous. I may say that when
a is is SO, it is largely because the
Scandinavian took with him to this
country. traditional traits Of honesty
industry and finely developed moral
sense. based, to a large extent. upon
the principles inculcated by religious
teaching:
OCOnnOr n Norwegian.
Mr.. Halland's address was greeted
with a hearty salvo of applause. and
when DIR. ] .G..SBrundin had PLAYED
20 violin SOLO. which was rewarded
with a4callt for an encore number. the
~ ocIe.le led by Rev. II. b.. Thor
crimson. had rendered Keep the
q Home Fires Burning Attorney ]. q.
Z. O'C0nEor was introduced. II
MI. OtCOEnOr said that as he wa
hgrn In AH1estcus township. Grand
Forks county, bounded on the west.
north. south and east by good Norvs.
i mi ArfferA he considered hfnnseif
a NorWegiAn lnasmuch a.. Mr.. Hal
l1Jyd Ind feMat4sedss that I'll Irishmen
gSany had Norwegian k~enealo9v.
xhat May 9svenfeenth shouId IL
~64febEsSed At this time In this countrv
HvnrS. 1921 nsG.g