Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1863-12-30
AFFAIRS OF DENMARK.


H"tSshttOns
This little monarchy is attracting ar ,.nusus
share of the worlds attention at present, as tb,
probable theatre Of a European war. Sea-gir
as 1t is, its waters the gateway Of Russia ant
an extensive commerce with al, the nation ali
ties of Europe, and surrounded SO closely b,
the numerous and diverse northern and Ger
manic Governments, 1t cannot fail of dangerous
| complications, and In the event of war will ACT
part far exceeding in magnitude its intrinsic
Importance.
We are permitted by the Commissioner OF
Agriculture TO use the following extracts from
late correspondence of Geo. P. Hansen, consul
Of the L. g. at Elsinore, on points Of present
interest:
However the war which Is about breaking
out in Northern Europe will affect the present
low prices Of grain here, It cannot but have a
great influence on the prices OF grain In the
United States. That the Baltic States will be
closed by a blockade of Denmark Is cutsiply
to he presumed. The outlet through the Dan
lsh Sounds Ia the only one by which large
amount of grain finds Its way to England and
other countries. That Denmark will also block
ade the Elbe and the Weser, and efI;,ctualIy
shut up Bremen and Hamburg, seems likely to
take place.
England and France have good supply of
grain from the late Astounding harvest; but in
the event of general European war, have
no doubt they may require an additional supply
from other quarters, which must be the United
states. One consolation is-they will all shortly
have their hands full and be but too glad to let
Us settle our own difficulties to suit ourselves.
with view to emigration, have made
some Inquiries relative TO the laboring classes
OF this country. More than sixty five per cent.
of the population Of Denmark is engaged In
agricultural pursuits. The population In 1850
was l,60o,55l. The number Of day.laborers
exclusive Of servants or other help regularly
employed, is 237, sii, of whom IL, 1853 were in
copenhagen aud 25,4sG in other towus and
cities, having l05,5Oo in the land districts,
viz:
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. $500
",' ''''''''''.'............. l4o,077
ne'P ~"poye"''' Observation-Disclosures. $50
1876 500
But to this class should he added as MANY
more small farmers, who own very small par
GELS Of land, aud subsist, In great part, from
the proceeds of day labor. This would~glye a
total of 39 900 souls in tho land distrcts alone
subsiSting by day labor performed for more
wealthy farmers.
1.-THE daily wages of this large class has
lateI, been, in winter from 90 to 81 cents; ; from
the first of May from - to'3l cents In har-
vest time -, 30, and 40 cents. While these
sums 70 farther than they would with us, they
are diminished In value by the manner In
which wages are distributed between tn laborcr
and his family.
He usually receives his board with his en-.
ployer, which is calculated at about twelve
cents per day, leaving TO his family, often a
large one, In winter, but eleven to fourteen
cents per day. u Is 4 wonder that he must be
frugal to get nlongi Bread, with perhaps a
cup OF coffee, is the principal food of the fam
lily; meat and butter are Injuries seldom in.
du'ged in. Consequently large number seek
assistance from the communes, making the
taxes heavy for support the poor. And still
Denmark Ia considered one of the most pros.
perons of the countries of continental Europe.
when look upon this large, industrious
and frugal population, strong, hearty, able and
willing 10 work, and excellent farmers beside.
and think of the scarcity of labor on our prairie
lands, and Of the wealth, happiness and pros
perity that many of these people might attain
there, with positive advantage to the remain
Ing laborers of Denmark itself, feel that
something should be done to facilitate their
emigration. Why conld not cmlgrant aid 80.
cle'ies be established Many would he glad
to em!gratc, who have scarcely the means to
get their families away; were the means at
hand the exodus would be large.
And here account for the unprecedented
success of the Mormons in this aud neIghLor.
Ing countries. They generally succeed in ring.
Ing In few wealthy ONES, and these are made
to help their poorer nsighbors to get of. 1t
seems strange that our western farmers should
be blind to the fact that thousands Of sturdy
hands are taken by the Mormons past their
doors every year, without an effort to keep
them themselves"