| POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS The majority of Finnish immigrants who had become naturalized United States citizens were registered as either Republicans or Democrats and generally supported their candidates at the polls. A sizable number of later immigrants joined the Socialist Party and were active in the support of its candidates. The public dances sponsored by its members, some of which were held at the Spencer town hall were well attended as many of the area young people enjoyed the Finnish folk dances. The Communist Party had a fairly large membership among the new Finnish residents of Spencer. Early in the 1920’s they had a meeting hall in the village of Van Etten. Plays in the Finnish language were presented there periodically, usually with local talent. There was a youth group, a women’s club and instrumental and choral music groups. Probably the most widely attended activity sponsored by this party, and one in which many non-members participated, were the dances held regularly on Saturday nights at the hall. The music for these dances was furnished by an accordionist or occasionally a small band. Finnish folk dances, waltzes and whatever foxtrots or other dances were currently in vogue, were enjoyed with gusto. The Communist Party movement seemed to die down with the passing of the first generation party members. There is no longer a Communist hall in Van Etten. The building is now owned by the Van Etten volunteer firemen. The Finnish families generally lived in harmony as friends and neighbors regardless of religious or political beliefs. Although there was no contact with each other in organized activities of the Communist and the church affiliated Finns, they were able to work together in community and school activities. Sly needling of each other concerning their differences in beliefs was practiced whenever current events opened up good opportunity. However, some ill feeling was aroused when a few of the more ardent Communists denounced or ridiculed the religious beliefs of their countrymen. When youthful members of some of the families in the Lutheran congregation heedlessly attended dances at the forbidden Van Etten Hall (just for the fun of dancing), they were apt to be soundly chastised if their parents learned of the transgression, which, somehow, they usually did. Skillful outside Communist organizers found easy converts to their doctrine among some of the immigrants. The often difficult conditions present in the new surroundings, made the promised Communist Utopia sound very desirable to these hard-working people. A few Communist Party members became so enthusiastic over the benefits promised by the agents that they sold their farms and equipment and went to live in Russia. A very small number managed to come back, considerably poorer, others never returned. |