Lögberg-Heimskringla - 27.04.1990, Side 2

2 • Lögberg - Heimskringla • Föstudagur 27. april 1990
Allegiance to a new land
History of the
lcelandic National
League
(cont’d.)
by Iola Nicklas
(based on information from
Tímarit published in 1939,
translated and edited by
Sigurlin Roed)
The three part
constitution:
1. To promote with all our
power that Icelanders
become the best citizens
of this country.
2. Tosupportandstrengthen
Icelandic language and lit-
erature in North America.
3. To promote cooperation
and friendship among Ice-
landers on both sides of
the Atlantic.
The first article indicated
that the originators of the
League considered it impor-
tant that the allegiance of the
members towards their new
land was stated clearly and
without doubt. This resulted
in part from the effects of the
restrictions on gatherings
during the war (1914-18) in both Can-
ada and the U.S. Most importantly
however, it indicated the loyalty of the
Icelandic immigrants.
Rev. Rögnvaldur Pétursson ex-
plained this article in his introduction
to the first issue of the League’s
“Tímarit”, 1919, as follows:
“Most people can understand that
to become the greatest and the best
citizens, it is not enough, only to prog-
ress physically, to become a good
employee, to become an exemplary
man of means, or even a rich man. It is
not even enough to be law abiding and
to learn and to follow the customs of
the land, rather it is necessary to de-
velop mentally and spiritually and
acquire as much reliable information
as possible.
“The feeling for justice must be
wide awake and understanding sharp
and clear. The first should be done and
the second must not be neglected. The
first step toward accomplishing this
progress is to study and learn to know
yourself - then one has one’s future
pretty well in hand. One will never
know oneself if one has no understand-
ing or knowledge of the history of the
land that one comes from. This is an
acknowledged fact which is proved,
(in all civilized, educated countries)
by the fact that history and literature is
the base for all education at all the
places for higher learning. Since this
is so, it follows that if Icelanders are to
get a reputation for excellence then
to love any nation and as a result we
become callous towards the chosen
country. If we may not cultivate filial
relationships then there is little likeli-
hood that we will become loving to-
ward strangers. If we are to ignore this
spiritual wealth that has been collected
and been safeguarded by our families
INL Members, 1943
(Showing top clockwlse) Jón J. Bíldfell,
P. Jóhannsson, Dr. Richard Beck, Guðm. Levy,
Ó. Pétursson
they should spend time on their own
language and literature along with the
studies in this country.”
In an excellent article entitled Na-
tional Legacy and Nationalism, which
appeared in the same issue of the
“Tímarit”, Guttormur Guttormsson
discusses in depth the subject of na-
tionalism. He writes:
“Some sort of guard is virtually
necessary for everything that is good
and precious in society. You cannot
horse trade with your spiritual posses-
sions. Among these possessions one
counts national experience and unique
wisdom that each nation has by their
own strength acquired.
“It is very hard to discard that leg-
acy and take another that will be as
dear. Love and loyalty are one and the
same habit and nurture. If they are
sent out to wander, they will die. The
same goes for idealism and culture.
You cannot neglect or trade these
possessions without damage.
“Therefore it is obvious that the
sudden shifting of nationality is a det-
riment rather than a gain for this coun-
try. If we deny our love for Iceland and
Icelanders, then it will be harder for us
(Showing top clockwise) Dr. S.E. Björnsson, Mrs
E.P. Jónsson, Séra Vald. J. Eylands, Sveinn
Thorvaldson, Gísli Jónsson
then there is little substance that we
bring to build up the thinking in this
country. In a word, we would ruin our
reputation with such a denial of our
better selves and as a result become
poor Americans or Canadians in the
bargain, not better.”
A great many other articles in the
Tímarit have since discussed this as-
pect of nationalism, directly and indi-
rectly; for instance, the excellent ar-
ticle by Guðmundur Arnason called
“Two Connections” 1922, and the note-
worthy and well thought out article by
Ragnar E. Kvaran, “Giants and Grass-
hoppers”, 1926.
The presidents of the League over
the years have also discussed the as-
pect of nationalism in their opening
addresses at the annual conventions.
In 1942, the president’s address read
as follows:
“The preservation of our cultural
legacy, love of freedom and the pro-
gressiveness of our kin certainly
makes us more aware of what is in
store as a result of the struggle now
being waged with the totalitarian and
military thinking in our world. Such
preservation makes us, at the same
time, more ready to be eager and de-
termined to accept the heavy
and increasing load being put
on our shoulders as a
citizen’s duty in connection
with the army on behalf of
the allies, that we have the
good fortune to be part of.
Freedom has always been to
the sons of Iceland the most
precious of things and it is
still so.
“By publicly taking part
in the celebrations of the 50th
Anniversary of Winnipeg and
the 60th birthday of the Do-
minion of Canada, the
League has shown its regard
for this country and its
people. This participation of
Icelanders in these celebra-
tions resulted in public atten-
tion; they were chosen by
judges both times for first
prizes.
“These last few years the
League has also shown its
loyalty by strengthening, as
much as possible, the war ef-
fort. In 1941 Icelanders took
part in a varied and remark-
able concert in Winnipeg called Salute
to Britain which was organized by eth-
nic groups.”
II & III
The main purpose of articles two
and three is to cultivate an Icelandic
presence in this hemisphere as stated
above by Rev. Rögnvaldur Pétursson.
That objective will only be reached by
preserving the culture and ideals
which they have inherited and by
keeping close to its source. “An
uproot’s sprout withers” sáid the poet
Grímur Thomsen, drawing on his
experience away from his native land.
The work of the Icelandic National
League has been based on these three
main articles of the constitution and
has in fact become more complex as
the record of its work shows.
(More history
of the League next week).
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