Immigrant Patriotism: Yuli Pyatakov has come to admire the United States and see it as the greatest nation there is, especially compared to other countries he's been in, e.g. his native Russia, before moving to America.
Intimidating Revenue Service: Everyone is appalled by the new taxes following plans to build new roads in Minnesota.
Patriotic Fervor: Initially subverted when the townspeople are turned off by the new taxes caused by the construction of a new railroad to the point of losing interest in the 4th of July festivities. They later recover after a speech from Yuli Pyatakov about the country he's proud to be part of.
Russian Guy Suffers Most: While all the townspeople are affected by the new taxes among other things, the Pyatakovs wind up losing their land because Yuli failed to realize that he inherited its ex-owner's debts.
