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^uieteh-Atttmrmt flairtoiu: Ifoagti?
nf (California, Snrorporatrii
The central organization of this league, now more than twenty years old, was
organized by the committee in charge of the Swedish branch of the San Francisco Midwinter
Exposition in 1 894. This was its first participation in a general undertaking in Californai.
All who assisted in this undertaking know how very difficult it had been up to this time
to create an interest among Swedish people for any general undertaking. The success
at this time gave an impetus to further efforts, and quite a few of those taking an interest
at that time are still in the harness, actively interesed in the Swedish Exposition
Committee, the Patriotic League, or in some of the other older organizations.
The history of this league as a central organization goes back to January 28, 1895.
According to its constitution, it purposes to be an independent organization with liberal
tendencies and made up of delegates from the various local leagues within the state. All
persons who have served as ex-presidents and continue as active members of some local
league remain a part of this organization. All delegates are elected by the league at this
regular July meeting, and serve for the period of one year.
The purpose of the league is to work in the interest of the Swedish people in
California; to encourage a proper bond of union; to make possible concerted efforts in matters
of general interest to our countrymen; to arrange an annual midsummer festival to be
held on the Saturday nearest to midsummer day, and to give financial aid for the erection
of a Swedish club building.
The league has, during its more than twenty-year existence, given splendid evidences
of Swedish patriotism and aggressiveness and has, without exception, been successful in
every undertaking. Its first great success dates back to the "Swedish Day" at the
Midwinter Exposition of 1894. This was the greatest and most successful gatherinp of Swedish
people west of Chicago up to this time. This festival was held in San Francisco on May
14th of that year. Mr. M. H. de Young, the General Director of this exposition and the
publisher of the "Chronicle" said that the Swedish parade at this time had succeeded in
making the best appearance. Midsummer festivals have been held since that time and
have been very successful. Not even during the year of the earthquake, 1906, when
communications were crippled and almost everything else was in confusion, was there an
exception.
On the initiative of the league, the Swedish Building Committee was organized June
9, 1 898, for the purpose of raising funds for the already mentioned Swedish Club building,
and held a bazaar in 1903, the purpose of which was to gather money for this building
fund. In 1900, the league participated in the proper celebrations of the fiftieth
anniversary commemorating the admission of the State of California into the union. On several
occasions the league has received in a worthy manner representative persons visiting the
west coast.
The most important work of the Patriotic League so far, was in connection with the
Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, when through the efforts of
the league a general participation of the Swedish-Americans was culminaetd in the
Swedish Day," June 24, 1915. This proved to be the greatest festivity that has ever been held
among our countrymen in the State of California.
The league sincerely hopes that the "Swedish Day" this year at San Diego will be
equally successful, and herewith extends congratulations to our countrymen in Southern
California, and to all who have taken the initiative in pringing apout the celebration of
such a day.
The present officers of the league are as follows:
C. T. Peterson, President.
Adrian Peterson, 1st Vice-President.
Bernhard Anderson, 2nd Vice-President.
Alex. Olsson, Secretary.
Chas. J. H. Berg, Treasurer.
Dr. O. A. Lindstrom.
Gottfrid T. Petterson.
Alf. Turnross, Trustees.
Harry Mentzer.
K. F. Strandberg.
Mrs. Fred Johnson.
Captain Chas. Swanson.
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