Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-02
Local anu State Mems.
| Sweden.

Sweden.
ssurances have been given the Commits
er on Swedish immigration that five humid
Swedes will come to this country this
on, and unite their destinies with the col
at New Sweden. Some two hundred hav g
hdy registered their names, who will pay
own fare. Some of the immigrants have
20 or $4,000 in gold each, which they will
with them for the purpose of investment
is State.
be following letter recently received from
hfluential citizen Of Gothemburg, Sweden,
be read with great interest, as it express.
e feelings Of his countrymen in regard to
departure Of the Swedcs from their shores,
the profound gratitude felt on account of
fordial welcome they have received here.
print the letter entire:
the Honorable Governor of the State of
ae:-Sir: You must not wonder, sir, that
fedish patriot cannot regard without feel
OF sadness the exodus of emigrants,
are going to seek better existence in
treat republic of North America, leaving
ZONES of their ancestors and giving their
frland only smiling farewell. 1t will
urprise you, sir, that this must be very
ncholy sight to the mind of the Swedes,
hat 1t must become yet more so. on the
ght, that many of these emigrants are
ing destinies far different from the glow
prospects that were held forth to their
full eyes. Not only Sweden will lose her
rem, but they will be lost to themselves
distant new world.
(e sons and daughters of old Sweden, will
maintain among your great nation their
nal character! Will they retain, at
some remembrance of their native land?
know well, sir, that every nationality,
(g as it may be, will be gradually ANAL
ted in the new, common, all absorbing
nality of the new world, and it would
(inly no. be of any advantage either to
rica, or to civilization, if the different
|nalities of Europe were to continue their
idual life, with their psculiarities and en-
s, on the soil of their adopted country.
regard it, on the contrary, as a special
on of America to absorb and amalgamate
lese different European elements.
t, sir, will they lose also, these American
Must the Swedish inhabitors of your
try necessarily forget the language and
(ms of their ancestors? Will they forget
etruggles and victories of their native
its good times and hard times? Will
forget the mother who has borne her
rem with heavy and self denying sacii-
and will they have no feelings left for
ove and regret?
sir, they will not do so, and the great
e of America will not require it. You
not received the children of Sweden as
(sts, who will be adopted into the new
y only at the price of denying their
r and mother. On the contrary, sir, you
given special impulse to the Swedes,
b you have invited to COLOMBO your State,
Id their native land in honor and remem-
be, by giving the new colony, founded in
Orthern part of your State, the name of
W Sweden" you have given them also
wedish books opportunity of recalling
fatherland.
ur commissioner, Mr.. W. w. Thomas,
bne evening last summer, assembled his
colony of immigrants to partake of a
lion, where good wishes and kind words
exchanged. We, the remaining friends,
With confidence our brethren and sisters
care; his last and firm assurance was:
that has been promised will be kept"
b, sir, these promises have been kept;
OF only that, they have been far surpass-
your generosity. The poor immigrants,
hg on your shores, have been received
greeted with the most friendly welcome.
homes established, their future secur-
hey have not been disappointed in their
by the difficulties and grievances of the
tate of things.
e young colony will probably be the nu-
of an extended colonization, and you
not, sir, l feel sure, find the hardy
les ungrateful and UNIV orthy of your kind
they would then, surely, be unworthy
cir origin.
colony of New Sweden has request
id authorized the writer of this letter to
by to you, Honorable Governor of the
of Maine, the expression of their senti-
of deep gratitude, and you will kindly
me, sir, to add thereto the expression
same sentiments of many other Swedes
have followed the immigrants with their
athies.
ow me at the same time to express to
people of Maine, who have received
new brethren with so much cordially,
hanks of the colonists, who have men
more especially two gentlemen, Mr..
n. Thomas, Jr., and Mr.. p p. Burleigh,
Agent, as objects of their gratitude and
esteem.
" the young colony of "New Sweden"
and flourish, not only in material
9Th, but even in developing their moral
htellectual faculties. And may the new
alton thus add to your State and to your
republic a good and healthy element of
power from the old world, and, becom-
hbued with the spirit of your free insti-
hs, reflect that spirit on their native land
nat we have lost, at present, in the old
Fland will then not have been lost to hui
BY; on the contrary, the trees have only
transplanted on fresher soil, where
will thrive better and give richer and
abundant fruits. God bless the harvest!
bless your land!
/ am, sir,
with the highest esteem,
Your obedient servant.
G.. A. HEDLUND,
EHtfoy of Goth sIoLur0 ShiDDin0 and