Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-04-12

never have had the fuss we did with
the Eighteenth amendment and all
that booze controversy. The Germans
are to be commended, they have
woven much good into American life
as whole sound, stable and up
right citizens.
The French and the Jews like their
wine and many are the Americans
who have joined with them in their
social custom, enjoyed their hospital
ity and not suffered from any excess
Ses.
Back in the days-2O years ago or
mOre-.when the railroads were build
ing and doing more construction work
they employed big construction gangs.
Many are the Americans who have
stopped to listen to the singing of
those Italian workers after the days
work was over and the sun was set
ting on a beautiful summer day.
Those common laborers poured out
from their hearts the best that was
in them-the songs of their childhood,
their folklore, that which they loved.
1t was appreciated by good Americans
and the Italians too weaved something
into American life. In their humble
way they reminded us of their great
Caruso.
And what Americans have not ap-
preciated the light fantastic Spanish
dancers in their original costumes
with their traditional tambourines?
The English brought over the Gus
tom of afternoon tea and the Scandi-
navians the cheerful cup of coffee.
Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales
told by many Danish fathers and
mothers to their children have been
told by American parents. Folks from
Norway have woven much OF the
literature of Bjornstjerne BtOrnson
and Henrik Ibsen into the daily life
of their new country. The Swedes have
contributed with their singing sCcie-
ties, and the CzechO-Slovakians with
their calesthenics.
Only last fall it was the pleasure
and privilege of the writer to visit
Chinatown in the city of San Fran
cisco and there take note of how the
Chinese live. They are in group
and have their customs and traditions,
but dwindling more and more and
taking up the life of the combined
American melting pot.
And so we could go on and enum-
crate customs and traditions of for
oil hna f,,Il
American life and gladly accepted by
the native-born. 1t is only the for
eign born that demands his customs
and pet notions be accepted by Amer
leans, hook. line, sinker and all, who
loses out. He is not an autocrat for
an autocrat. though despicable in
many ways, usually has ability and
knows what he is about, but he may
be termed a plain bulLhead for his
lack of experience. judgment, tact,
and cooperation. Fortunately Amer
lea has been blessed" with few of
such bullheads who though some
times well meaning, do damage by
embarrassing folks of their nation
atty. They are the type who have
one foot in America and the other
foot in some foreign land but seem
to lack the intelligence to get their
feet together.
Yes, it is a long time since the Pill
grims landed at Plymouth Rock and
much history has since been written.
And if that does not go far enough
back there are the legends of the
original Americans - the Indians.
There is no attempt here to appeal to
patriotism, just plain common sense
and logic, for patriotism especially the
high powered patriOtism-my country
right or wrong-often makes for enc
tional judgment and that is not de-
sired especially during peace times
America offers an abundance and
it is up to each and every one of us
to accept the challenge and make il
a haven for the masses.