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


is the melting pot OF the many ma
tionalities and traditions of the world.
most of the people here having come
from the old staid countries of Europe
where they have had their culture
and traditions for many generations.
But for any one to think that Amer
lea has not some background of its
own and that everything has to be i'm
ported only shows ignorance and lack
of appreciation of what we here have.
The landing Of the Pilgrims. more
than 300 years ago, dates back a little
farther than the experience of those
living today. And as for the Euro
pean countries or any other countries.
in the Seventeenth century, what per-
centage amongst the masses could
then read and write? How much
democracy did they have then? Even
today some of those countries still
have their kings-not all autOcrats to
be Sure-but America with its rule
of the people, not perfect by long
ways, looks mighty good to US. We
have the foundation for a true democ-
racy, thanks to those courageous
statesmen who wrote the constitution,
and it is up to each and every one of
US to put the shoulder to the wheel,
not whine but think and work, and
make our country and nation what it
should be and what we earnestly hope
to have it-a haven for the masses.
America may not be as rich in folk
lore as some of the European coun-
tries, intelligent Americans do not
claim it, and it is not to be expected.
But great writers, great musicians,
skilled surgeons, stage artists, world
renowned inventors and great states
men have been born and reared on
American soil. They are proud Of
their birthright and have given much
to America and the civilized world.
Not being as rich in folk lore as
older countries, good citizens here
have always been glad to hear and
appreciate that which rings true in
the hearts of the foreign-bOrn. Amer
leans know that folks coming to our
shores when grown up will never
learn to speak the American language
well and that if they are to live truly
rich and wholesome lives, to be home
builders, rear families and be good
American citizens they must of neces-
sity bring with them the noble
thoughts, the happy memories, and
that which they learned at the fire.
side of good homes-those best of all
things-to be inculcated into their
new environments and passed on TO
their children.
The writer, born on foreign shores,
can speak from experience on this
subject. Only year and a half old
when arriving on American soil and
parents between 80 and 35, what,
might be asked, could the mother or
father teach the toddling child on
their laps in the American tongue?
And so it was with sister and brothers.
There have been thousands and mill
lions of like examples. We are proud
and glad to have learned something
in the mother tongue, and in this way,
may at least to some extent enjoy also
the literature of another country. But
we are truly grateful to America for
its educational opportunities and the
many other wonderful opportunities Of
fered to those who wish to partake from
its helping hand and be a part of
America. We will always be in
debted to the land of our choice-the
free mans country-the country and
its people that we love above all
others. Our ambition, hope and de-
sire is to give something in return.
The Germans and Hungarians have
added to the great American melting
pot with their love of music, excelling
in symphony orchestras. And what
can be more pleasurable for any one
who loves music than to listen to the
Bach family of musicians in Milwau-
kee? They are descendants of the
great Johann Sebastian Bach of Ger
many, and have also contributed much
i'm the way of composing symphony
music. The Germans also like their
beer and if that had been used all
over this country as do the Germans
instead of harder liquor, We would