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Show Democracy Born of Old Nordic Customs? American democracy is derived from Die social and governmental Institutions In-stitutions of tlie ancient Scandinavians, Scandinavi-ans, tlie original Nordics, declares Cliarles J. McGuirk In an article In Liberty. "American Institutions are Nordic," the writer asserts. "Congress "Con-gress Is an echo of the Scandinavian 'Thing,' an assembly of the people about the mounds of their dead at which they listened to the advice of the Old Man of the tribe. Our state legislatures follow the 'Ueraldthing,' a local assembly. "Democracy was not born In America," Amer-ica," the writer continues. "It had Its birth 'u Norway when Ilaiald Falr-tialr Falr-tialr destroyed the power of the 'her-sirs' 'her-sirs' (kings) and placed the leadership leader-ship of the people among the 'jarls,' high-born local chiefs who had won to leadership of tlie host and certain districts by their warlike qualities." |