Wiarus. (Winona, Minn.) 1895-1919, 1918-09-17
Nova ,. |. ~Paderewskiego
wygfoszona ma pierwszel
sesyi " poniedzialek.

-'."--. .
Kazano mi tutaj przedewszyst
klein pc. angielsku mayorowi mia
sta Detroit podziekowac. Pozwoli
Gle, re sic ku MENU W tym zwr6-
&c jezyku.
MI. Mayor.
The citizens and residents of
the United States, all people of
Polish Blood have conferred upon
me the honor Of expressing to the
noble city and it's distinguished
mayor their sincere: gratitude for
the hospitality extended to their
First Polish Convention. They
have assembled here in this Con-
vention which is held under the
auspices Of the Polish National
Department for the purpose of
! discovering means and ways of
mutual and complete understan-
ding. They come here from almost
every state Of this glorious Union,
from almost every large city and
many small villages. They have
come here to talk about Poland
and as Won have noticed their first
! thought and act was to solemnly
: confirm in words what they are
proving in deeds: their absolute
and unbounded loyalty to this
country and Government.
The Polish immigrants in the y
''nited States is but a vigorous
branch Of an old - thanks God a
powerful tree. The Poles in Anne.
RIGA IRE more numerous than the
Norwegians in Norway, Danes in
denmark and Swedes in Sweden.
They are more numerous than
SERBS in Servia, Belgians in Bel
gia - all small nations. There are
over four millions Of them in this
country, a convincing proof of
how wrong is the opinion previl
ling, distributed purposely, or ma
Clicious German propaganda which
INSISTS on calling the Polish a
Esmall nation.
TIE Poles in America do not
need any americanization. It's su.
lperflous and useless to explain to
them what are the principles and
ideals of America. They know
them we'll, because they have been
following them for one thousand
yeras. AT the first meeting of
1.-THE Polish Parliament in 1850 it
has been proclaimed that every
individual, even the poorest,
should be granted the right of
Freedom Of person and possession.
BY. here free union with Lithua-
mia and Ruthenia concluded in
1413, just 70 years before the dis
Icovery Of this continent, Poland
has been the first to realize, and
adopt: the form Of the United
Estates Government. In 1873, the
year of: the most cruel religious
depression in central and western
Europe, our own noble: Polish Re
man-Catholic clergy had introdu-
ced a bill favoring a complete free
dom Of confession in the whole Pc
lish. republic, inscribing on their
flags the words "For our liberty
and for yours.55 .:.
The Polish warriors, our wor--
thy ancestors, have spread their
previous blood wherever Free
dom and justice needed assistance
And what about the Poles here IL
wing? The Poles in America are
very hard working people, contri
buting by their efficient and con-
scientious labor to the develop
ment Of natural resources and to
the progress of your industry and
! growth Of American prosperity.
They are not rich, they are just
making their honest living. Out
of four million and then not one
is a millionaire and yet they are
fulfilling their duty imposer upon
them by circumstances with loyal
ty, determination and enthusiasm.
No other nationality here in the