Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-10-10
0tforo 4tmotrat.
From the Portland Press
Nese .Sfceden,
CARIROr Sent


North from Houlton 65 miles, and iron
Bangor 80, where, prior to June 1870
WAS an unbroken forest, is now planted
the vigorous and promising colony o
New Sweden. In July 1870 not settler
had arriyed-now there are more thar
1--WE hundred in New Sweden, and the
population of Maine has increased more
than thousand by Swedish immigration
In June 1870 the first rude house o.
logs was put up; now there are more
than one hundred of the finest log houses
on as many hundred acre lots. that cal
be found in the country. In June 1870
the township now known rs New Sweden
hSd no road, even a bride path within
four miles of its nearest boundary; now
road has been "grubbedn through the
woods and mostly turnpiked 10 the capt.
tai building-and that too by Swedish
labor. Hereafter We will tell more oi
what the Swedes have done in the last
year, but at the present time we must
say something of the visit of GOV. Per.
ham and his party to the colony, and OF
the reception on that occasion. The Gov
ernor and his wife were accompanied by
Hon. w. W. Thomas of your city, who
has manifested lively interest in the
colony, and Hon. =. Y. Burleigh, our
model Land Agent. The party was in
creased by several ladies and gentlemen
living in the vicinity of New Sweden.
The press was represented by the veneer
able yet Jolly editor OF the Sunrise, by
'Percie, the lively, witty and thorough
" sensible lady correspondent of the
Boston Post-a real credit to journalism
and your own correspondent; for the
Press, be it known, intends TO keep fully
up with the times From Caribou to
New Sweden, eight miles. the road is in
the first stages of new way through
the woods, and can be travelled with the
greatest difficulty and with no thought
of comfort or speed. 1t is hard road TO
travel, and takes over two hours and a
halt. Tho Governors party left Caribou
at S o'clock Tuesday morning, and at IL
came in sight of the capitol of New Swe-
den, surmounted with q splendid star
spangled banner-a present from Hon.
W. W. Thomas Tuesday was gala
day. long expected by the Swedes-the
visit Of the Governor. The colonists from
miles about, were all out in their holiday
apparel. Four hundred men, women and
children stood on either side OF the road
and received the visitors. The capitol is
fine two.story building on = fifty acre
lot, set apart for public purposes. This
building serves for public store-hOuse,
has q large cellar, and large hall, which
is occupied for schools and meetings.
This building has been of great service
10 the colony rs a headquarters and rs
depot for the temporary shelter of the
newly arriving immigrants. Soon after
the arrival OF the party, reception was
given 10 The Governor in the hall, which
will hold three hundred or more. The
exercises consisted of 4 Swedish national
song. by quartette of male voices. 1t
was our misfortune not TO understand
the language, but the piece was rendered
with fine expression and spirit
The memories OF the fatherland that
they would never sec again, awakened
by The singing caused many ol the wo.
men to weep.
Commissioner Thomas, then. in behalf
of the colonistS. welcomed Gov PEI ham.
Hi; Excellency responded by saying that
the State of Maine had long desired to
secure the settlement of its public do,
mains. To effect this object there were
many plans, but it Was finally concluded
that some scheme of immigration was
necessary. The first thing to be done was
10 find people every way desirable-a
people at once moral, intelligent. indus
trious, adapted 10 our climate and that
from their education would appreciate
our institutions All of these high requi,
sites were promised in you, the people OF
the Northland. Now that we see your
faces and behold the works OF your hands
we are convinced of the wisdom of our
choice. Gov. p warmly welcomed the
cOlOnists to the State, to its political and
social institutions and the work OF its de
veiopmentS. He assured them of the
hearty cooperation OF our people and OF
their active sympathieS lie felt that
when the present colony was well found
ed, that the work would 90 on of itself
until all OF our northern fertile domain
should become the homes OF an indnStri.
Gus, intelligent, moral and patriotic peo-
pie. He urged them not 10 be- taint-heart
ell, but to meet the privations and tolls
10 come, IS manfully aS they had the past
season. promising rs the result a commu-
nifty that the State would be proud to &C.
knowledge. lie assured them OF the deep
interest that the intelligent part Of the
State felt in their success and promised
judieious support and sympathy. On 4
little knoll before the door was flagstaff,
from the top OF which the stars and stripes
foated in the breeze. and just below. the
Swedish standard This the Governor
hailed as a happy omen for the future