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THE REPUBLICAN June 9, 1899 Fiftieth Anniversary In Commemoration of
Denmark’s Independence. How it was Observd in this
City by Our Danish American Citizens Fate decreed against the weather
man’s local shower predictions on Monday, June 5 in this city and allowed the
Danes to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of constitutional liberty in
Denmark, when the common people of that country were granted privileges equal
to those granted by the Declaration of Independence to America. While they revere the day and celebrate in
honor of that good king, Frederick the Seventh, and decorate their buildings
and carry in the procession the red and white cross, Denmark’s banner, they do
not forget the stars and stripes of America, the land of their adoption, and
they always give the lovely red, white and blue banner a place at the top. Promptly at 1:30 the Waupaca
Wisconsin Veteran’s Home Band played in front of the building of the Danes’
Home Society which was the signal for the procession to form. The line of March was in the following
order: Hans Yorkson, Marhsal and three aids, Matt Jensen, Peter Olson and J. Justesen on horseback, Band Carriage with Speakers, Members of the D. D. H.
Society Bearers of the Stars and Stripes and Danish Flag Young Christian Lund dressed
up as “Uncle Sam” riding in
Johnny Gordon’s pony carriage. Young Danish Dewey Guards and color bearers under command of Charles Yorkson. Members of Common Council in carriages. Float driven by William
Bendixen representing a pyramid of
young Danish-American Girls. Other carriages, and
citizens on foot. All marched to Wright’s Grove near
Shadow Lake where there had been a speaker’s stand provided and seats laid in
the grove. The band opened the exercises with
one of their best selections, after which Alfred Johnson, president, made a
brief talk to the society and others and then introduced Ald. E. C. Williams,
president of the city council, who, in the absence of Mayor Gordon gave one and
all a hearty welcome stating that they need not expect a speech as he was no
speech maker, but they could consider the city as belonging to them today. The choir and society then sang
“Danmark, dejligst vang og Venge”. Miss
Laura Yorkson Organist. Mr. Johnson then introduced Mr. Fred Fisher, “the big
man from Farmington” who he said “needed no introduction”. Mr. Fisher’s address was in English and we
are permitted to give it in full. Mr. Fisher said he was no
speech-maker, but had prepared a few remarks on paper which he hoped might be
of some interest to his hearers: Ladies
and Gentlemen: Years ago, when a young boy I read
an article telling what was the national inclination of the most prominent
nations when they were in company and felt good (especially after they had had
a drink or two). The Frenchman would
sing, the Spaniard would dance, the German would hurrah for his great
fatherland, the Englishman would make a great invention, the Irishman would
fight, the “Yankee” would make a great speech and the Dane, well, he had rather
take another drink, though I believe our young folks would rather be so
impartial as to join the Spaniard in his dance and we older ones would prefer
to take “that other drink”, still, our respect for the custom and usage of our
adopted country is stronger than our original trait, so speechmaking is first
on our program for our national celebration, and that is my excuse for trying
to talk to you today. I shall not worry
you long as I see that your committee of arrangements knowing that the Yankees
were a nation of born orators, has secured at least one whom I know is much
more able to entertain you, and after these exercises are over there will be
plenty of time to take “that other drink” and for the young folks to dance. I have frequently heard the question
asked both by Danes and Yankees why we in this country should celebrate the 5th
of June? and I will confine my remarks to answering that query: Why shall we (the Danes) celebrate this day?
and why shall you (the Yankees) celebrate with us? and shall therefore make
some statements from the history of Denmark. One hundred and twenty-five years
ago the rural population lived in ignorance and bondage, much like the Russian
peasant, as you have read, and the population of the few small cities was not
much better off. The king had an absolute despotic
power like the Zar of Russia. The great landlords owned all the
country and almost had entire control over the people that occupied their
farms. They could order those they saw
fit into the army and navy, or to the trades, or on to the farms to till their
own large estates, but could not sell them as the slaves in the south were
sold. The farmers lived in little farming
villages, clustered around the village pond.
They had rather poor buildings, and their fields, pastures and woodlands
were all used in common, and individual, progress and prosperity were
impossible. It was the now much advised
corporation with a vengeance, and the well paid ministers of the established
state church were entirely entrusted to look out for their souls. Denmark was then blessed with an
insane king, and his young son had to be acting king long before his school
years were over, and he early tried to fit himself for his responsible and
powerful station. He saw that ignorance
and poverty were no blessing to his country, and that the despotic powers of
kings, landowners and the ministers were very often misused, and the people
much oppressed and abused. He formed
the purpose to amend this state of affairs, and called to his advice three of
the most enlightened and clear minded of the great landowners. It was just when that young prince
was beginning to get his education that the Declaration of Independence
startled the world, and with its final great success begun to worry the crowned
heads of Europe. I believe that he studied that
Document well, and saw the great truth and justice in it, and foresaw the great
result it would make in this world, in particular these statements “that all
men (and I believe that includes women too) are created to be free and equal”
with the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, and those that
govern the people receive “all their just powers from the consent of the
governed” and he set this aim to raise his people up to that American standard
and Providence spared him for over fifty years to steer the ship of state and
he nearly reached his aim. The first act was to provide free
schools and free books to all and gradually a compulsory attendance for seven
years; and an examination before they were allowed to leave the school was
added to the school system so that fifty years ago you could not find an
illiterate young person with a sound mind in Denmark. The next step was to relieve the
farmers of their bondage, to divide their lands and put comfortable buildings
on them and to secure the fruits of their work to the tillers of the soil, and
to that end laws were issued to limit the exactions of the landowners; just
laws regulating taxation were enforced.
Laws compelling the owners to lease the farms for not less than fifty
years or the life of the tenant, prohibiting
them from combining the ordinary farms into large estates or from
leaving any farm unleased for more than one year. And the king and his advisors also
tried to encourage ownership of the soil by selling the land to those tenants
willing to buy or else by perpetual or inheritance lease. Gradual township or parish
government was provided for, also county government, religious freedom was
granted and finally the king inaugurated an advisory council which was elected
by the people, very much like that which our own government is trying to
establish in our new possessions. That was the preparation the Danes
had had for seventy-five years before 1848, when the French revolution started
nearly all countries in a fight for constitutional government. Denmark had then another young king who
loved the common people and true Democracy and almost hated royalty and landed
aristocracy, and he readily yielded to the popular demand and on the Fifth of
June, 1849, gave Denmark a constitutional government very much like we have in
this country; perhaps in even a few instances safer and better. It retained the hereditary King but left him
no greater power than our president has; it provided for two legislative
houses; the lower with a universal household suffrage and the upper house with
a tax paying or property qualification for the voters; it gave the individual a
voice in the government that made the laws he had to obey and the taxpayer an
additional voice for the expenses of the government he had to pay, and I
believe it would be more just if our national, state and local governments were
made after that pattern; it would very likely save us from a great deal of
unjust taxation. And even if our reconstructionists
after the rebellion had followed that king’s example and educated the slaves of
the south for citizenship before making them voters, I believe both whites and
blacks would have been happier today and the south more prosperous. The Danes
got their constitutional government by gradual peaceful evolution instead of as
in most other countries by bloody revolutions and we have only to compare the
state of affairs in Russia and even in Ireland to see the good results since
that Fifth of June fifty years ago. Denmark is small and has no mineral
wealth, but it is tilled like a garden, and in wealth per capita ranks second
of the nations of the world, even ranking higher by $50 per capita than the
United States. The inhabitants are well
educated, contented, love liberty but respect the government and its officers
and obey the laws, and no secret, oath-bound societies to overthrow the
government or resist the laws and officers have ever existed there. In short, we are well prepared for
citizenship I this great and glorious, intelligent and prosperous republic, and
the Danes are never classed among the undesirable emigrants, but are well
received and even sought after as soon as they land on America’s shores, even
the great railroad companies preferring the clean and well clad emigrant from
the Thingvalli line, and while we nearly all retain our great love for our old
country, we readily adopt your language and customs and are as patriotic
citizens as any in the United States, which is very apparent to those familiar
with the Danish names. The list of the victims of the Maine
in the harbor of Havana contained many Danish names and so do the lists of
killed and wounded heroes from Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippine islands. The next on the program was a song, “Langt Hojore Bjerge”, after which Mr. Jasperson of Neenah, gave an address in the Danish language. He is a pleasant speaker and complimented highly the large and prosperous Danes’ Home Society of Waupaca. At the close of his remarks the band played a slection, after which the audience rose and joined with the choir in singing the following: “A HYMN TO THE LAND OF OUR CHOICE,” by Volkmar Johnson, to the Danish air, “Der er et Land”. We praise thy flag that in
its golds gigantic An empire holds, united
state by state, From hellgate’s rocks that
stem the bold Atlantic To where the waves beat on
the golden gate; The flag that floats o’er
sun-kissed Louisiana And braves the blast of
bleak Alaska’s breeze; The stars and stripes we
cheer with loud Hosanna In righteous war or holy,
happy peace. We praise thy past – those
grand historic pages That ne’er were blurred nor
stained by crime nor shame; Thy heroes brave, thy
patient noble sages Whose names adorn the sacred
scroll of fame. No knaves were they nor
spoilsmen sleek and fawning, But honest men who loved the
poor oppressed And fought for them till
freedom’s sun was dawning, When tyrants quaked and
angels called them blessed. Almighty God! Protect and guide this nation; Let honest men in council
always lead, Abide with them that they
may fell temptation, Corruption stay and slay the
dogs of greed. Let not their pride the band
of justice sever Nor dim the stars that beam
on freedom’s dome; Let this fair land a refuge
be forever For honest men who seek an
honest home. Before thy shrine we bow
with true devotion To sing thy praise, fair
land, our manhood’s choice; We shout with joy,
concealing no emotion, That all may know how
freemen do rejoice. We praise thy hills that
hold no mystic fairies But precious gems for those
that strive and toil; We praise thy words, thy
great unbounded prairies, Where freedom’s flowers take
root in virgin soil. Ex-Dist. Attorney, F. F. Wheeler, was next introduced and made an address which we also give in full as follows: Mr.
President, Ladies and Gentlemen: We have assembled this bright and
beautiful day in this quiet and lovely spot to commemorate the time when the
people, not in war but in peace, arose and demanded from King Frederick the
Seventh, those unalienable rights among which are life, liberty and the pursuit
[?] the period 1849, but had ever been one of the cardinal principles of the
Danish Government for many centuries, but was crippled through what was
supposed to be a Reformation, which took place in 1660. In early times the Government of Denmark was
far from despotic; the succession of the Crown was even elective until the
Revolution of 1660, at which time it became entirely without constitutional
check. This singular change in 1660 was
not the result of the people becoming tired of free institution, but for the
purpose of renting the over-bearing conduct of the nobility and the arbitrary
way in which they sought to control the people, The first trouble with the
nobility commenced over the crown land, the nobility having controlled these
lands for a great length of time, and only paying a nominal rent, which shut
out and barred all others from participating in the use and enjoyment of them,
and the people of Denmark had determined to put an end to the power of the
nobility, and with the aid of King Frederick the Third who had gained much
popularity, not only as a warrior but in resisting the claims of the nobility,
the power of the nobility was terminated in the Revolution of 1660. Under this change, not only the power of the
nobility was taken away, but also the rights of the people to a great extent,
as the succession to the Crown ceased to be an elective office, and from that
time on it devolved as a matter of right on the lawful heir, whether male or
female. During the remaining reign of
King Frederick the Third, which was ten years, great changes were brought about
which proved beneficial to the country.
Peace reigned and trade and the finances of the country was much
improved. On the death of King
Frederick the Third, the Crown passed to King Frederick the Fourth, without the
people having anything to say or do about it.
No sooner had he taken the reins of Government than he commenced to war
against Sweden without any material benefit to his country. Peace was finally declared in 1679, and from
that time until 1849, the country ran along in peace and in war, but during all
this time under the changes of 1660 the Crown being made hereditary instead of
elective, the tendency was to make the crown more arbitrary and less thoughtful
of the people. Now, while under the
change of 1660, the Parliament which was elected by the people, was not taken
away, yet the Kings under their prerogative, the crown then being hereditary,
did not convene Parliament and thereby cut the people off from participating in
the administration of the Government, and the people becoming tired of this
arbitrary rule demanded to have a change, and when King Frederick the Seventh
ascended the throne, the people arose and demanded their rights. King Frederick then promised to resign the
nearly absolute power which had hitherto been connected with the crown, and
accordingly a charter was drawn up by an Assembly elected for that purpose in
1849, and signed by the King in 1850, which acknowledged the principal of his
limited Monarchy, the King sharing his power with two houses, both of which
were elective. The first called the
Folksthing has the privilege of discussing the budget and the other pubic
questions; while the other Landsthing is confined to the local affairs of the
Provinces. The people of Denmark enjoy
through these two houses about the same rights and privileges that are enjoyed
by the people of America through the House of Representatives and the United
States Senate. This great charter was subsequently,
on the 28th day of July 1866, revised, and if anything, greater
privileges added. Why then should not
the Danes in this country celebrate with heart and hand, the day when the
rights of the people were restored, which made their Government like ours, a
Government by the people and for the people?
I say rejoice and be glad, and let the hand of every American citizen
grasp the hand of very Dane, and rejoice with him. This gathering for the purpose of
celebrating the day which gave to the people of Denmark, their rights and
liberties, which are so much in accord with our form of Government, and rights
of the people, should not be looked upon as being in any wise antagonistic to
the laws and the rights of the people of this country. When the Danes come to this country and
become citizens they are not throwing off the yoke of oppression, but come
thoroughly schooled in the doctrines that all men are created equal; that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; and that among these
are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and that to secure these
rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from
the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of Government becomes
destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish
it, and to institute new Governments laying its foundation on such principles
and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to
affect their safety and happiness. Under the Revolution of 1849 the
liberty of religion ad the press and the rights of the person and property,
were amply guaranteed by the new Constitution.
Denmark has many wise laws written upon her statue books. The compulsory system of education, the
right to worship God according to the dictates of ones own conscience, and the
liberty of the people and the press.
The school system of Denmark is virtually under the control of the
University of Copenhagen, and has reached a very high degree of
perfection. Indeed few countries, if
any, can compete with Denmark in this respect.
All educational institutions of the country are now managed by a Royal
college, and this commission has no superior but the King, and reports to him
directly. The University of Copenhagen
has a world wide reputation for its high standard as an educational
institution. The fine arts have been
successfully cultivated and reached a great degree of perfection. Denmark is also noted for its great poets
and literary writers. The Danes have
also great taste for music, and it is said there are a great number of fine
singers among them. In conclusion let me say, rejoice
and be glad that you can look back to a [?] of happiness, and with the belief
that to secure those rights Governments are instituted among men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed. This spirit of freedom and right was not the out growth belonging
exclusively to period when the people of your mother country let the light of
civilization burn in their bosoms and allowed the principles of that
civilization to be written into their constitution and laws. I say rejoice and be glad! The band played another selection
after which Mr. O. G. Anderson, last speaker of the program, delivered an
impromptu address. Mr. Anderson is an
enthusiastic talker and touched upon the occasion of the Danish celebration in
the right spirit. His allusion to the
flags and their significance brought out rounds of applause. He said in our county and state we could
point with much pride to our foreign born citizens. Many had been here for years and they were loyal and true
American citizens. If our government
had been more careful in restricting certain classes of undesirable emigrants
those who did not care for our laws, schools, or customs, only to make money
and then leave, and had encouraged more of the Scandinavian and other desirable
foreign classes it would have been better and saved much trouble to us in many
ways. The speaker spoke on the benefits
of fraternity through the aid of secret societies generally, and complimented
the Danes’ Home Society on their splendid organization, their hall, library and
their good work in looking after the sick and distressed and the widows and
orphans of deceased members. He spoke of the loyalty of the Danes
in the civil war for the Union as well as the late Spanish-American war, and
said their names were emblazoned among the bravest and best of heroes in both
army and navy. The closing song, “Der er et Yndigt
Land” was sung, the band played and all gathered on the banks of Shadow Lake to
see the tub and canoe races. The water
sports were in charge of Jas. Jensen.
There were four entries in the tub races, each little fellow vying with
he other in trying to keep his tub upright and to “get there”. Alfred Cook won 1st money, $1;
and Willie Cook won 2d, 50 cents. The wind was quite strong when Henry
Rasmussen, Louis Olson, Christ Olson and Peter King lined up near the starting
place with their craft for the canoe race. They started out for the flag across
the bay with young Krag paddling for all creation in his light duck boat. He was ahead until near the flag when over
went the boat with Peter as if it was an egg shell. On the return it was almost neck and neck with Rasmussen and
Olson, but Rasmussen lined up to the flag first and won 1st, $1.50;
Olson won 2d, $1. This ended the sport, then the
procession reformed and marched to town.
Supper was served at six in the assembly hall to the society, their
families and friends. In the evening all the Danish young
men and maidens in the city and for miles around including many older ones and
quite a sprinkling of the Americans participated in a grand dance to the tune
of Prof. L. B. Allen’s superb orchestra.
Thus closed one of the most pleasant Fifth of June anniversaries ever
held by the Waupaca Danes’ Home Society. |