The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-05-09
The Editors Mail Bag
TO The Editor Of The Forum:

To The Editor OF The Forum:
The reason why / love America. and why
every sane man, woman and child loves America,
The Land Of The Free is because she opened
her arms and welcomed the people of the world
to come here and enjoy her Freedom and indie
pendence She has done more-she has offered
to the people of the world greater opportunities
than any other country on Gods earth and done
it gladly. We love her most because she went
into this war to end it quickly, and make other
vars lnpoSS13Ie' TO MAKE me worl1 Tree TOT
democracy, for the last one hundred and fifty
years and shall fight to the last drop Of our
blood, give our last dollar to defend and protect
the smaller nations and the wonderful land Of
America, our country.
AS to the Norwegians, there can be no ques-
ton as to their LOYALTY and patriotism The
Norwegiaus have been born and raised liberty
loving people, have enjoyed the blessings Of
and therefore are naturally Of the same spirit as
the Americans. and can class themselves among
the best citizens of this country.
Norway and her sons will positively stand up
for American principles, because it Is hers and
her sons principles Norwegians could not pos
dibly be pro-Germans, because 1t is against
their conscences to be dominated and crushed
under the heels of autocracy. Norwegians are
not to be classed as machine made loyal Amer1-
cans because they are loyal Americans in heart
and soul. They know that they owe this to their
adopted land, their wonderful America, to them
selves and to the world.
left Norway a successful young business
man in 1901, not because / was not satisfied with
what l was offered at home but because l was
strongly impressed by my fellow countrymens
statements Of the great opportunities offered in
uralzation papers the second day after landed
and my final naturalization papers
became eligible, in 1906
1t seems some of the OF the old fore
fathers OF the many American born do not quite
understand that we all are Of foreign blood, and
that we have all become American citizens by
choice Of our forefathers, by naturalization.
Left Ericsson Ia Norwegian Viking) being the
first to land on American SOIL and therefore
we are Americans only if we live up to the
spirit, planted for free people by the liberty
loving forefathers who fought against and
nr11eh aS ny in 10 Ia nd 81 hat fTTIa
Americanism, democracy, always might live and
be guided by our constitution.
l proud of being Norwegian, but am
more proud because am American citizen,
a citizen Of the most wonderful country in the
psncaS NOT ora g op ee eon
stitution, and the wonderful principles she
stands for.
with only selfish interests at heart, wrap in the
colors of Old Glory. Neither do appreciate
the expense of their fellow citizens who dare
admit their nationality even in time of war. I
pity the prohteers ana every proGermaln and I'd
righteousness before the end of the world war.
pity the German Americans who cannot see
as her own. that they (GerTnans) may see a
Fatherland where they now only see kaisers
land pity the Germans who do not realize
that America is lighting their aght. so that they
may enjoy the freedom and independence in
their beautiful land now in the clutch of the
most deVilish power ever known.
cannot understand how German human be-
ing can sell his soul to the devil for selfish In
terests, only to find that after all 1t was to his
or her downfall that he or she served the kaiser.
How can you, q deserter OF democracy, carry on
your soul the very blood of your countrymen,
the very conscience Of murderer?
1t should be every American citizens duty to
have an eagle eye on every suspicious person In
the land that we may serve our government to
our fullest capacity. to check all German propa-
ganda and to catch the spies
Our opportunity has come, to serve mankind.
L for one shall be glad to serve the government
to the best OF my ability, fearing nothing, and
gladly give my life for the great cause that we
are lighting for. MY soul has been tested and
am In the same spirit as our boys at the front.
This Spirit should reach every red FLOODED
American citizen and every right thinking living
soul in the country.
God bless and protect our beloved President
that he may guide us through TO victory
ABEL NJ. ERICKSON
Fargo. N. ~ May 9.