The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-22
TIE MENNONITE EMIGRANTS.
The Bill Before Congress to Grant
Them Lands.
Grounds OF Opposition to the Measure-Rslig-
ious scruples Against Bearing Arms-Char-
acter OF the Mennonites- Of Their
Leaving Russia-The French COL
ony in Alabama = Cultivation
Of the Olive and Vine

IT will be recollected that delegates from the
Aennonites OF Russia came TO the United States
and Canada not long since to learn by personal
examination the nature OF the soil and climate Of
lands open for settlement to emigrants. They were
cordially received and every facility aforded them
to Judge OF the character OF the country. They
were particularly pleased with the localities they
visited in the West and returned to Europe well
satisfied with their observations. The Mennonites
constitute religious sect that entertain consci-
enlious scruples against bearing arms, and have
endeavored to procure such legislation at the
hands Of Congress as would exempt them and
their children from, either directly or indirectly,
rendering military service. This privilege,
which the Russian government refused to
continue. and which would not be accorded to
them by any Power In Europe, they expect from the
United States. On their first application to the
American representatives in the dominion or the
Gear the Mennonites were informed that only in
one instance in the history or the United States
was there compulsory military service required OF
Its Inhabitants: yet there was no reason given to
form belief that an exception would be made in
their case In the event OF emigrating to this coun-
try.
THE BILL BEFORE CONGRESS-
The bill to enable these people to effect perma-
nent settlements on the public lands, and which
has received the unanimous concurrence VI the
suitable committee. came up for debate In the
senate on the 14th inst, and was again con-
sidered on the 10th. 1t Is still pending IN the
Senate. It's provisions were explained by Mr..
Window, OF Minnesota. The land proposed to be
granted was to remain open for occupation for two
years-a period necessary, he said, to ena BILE the
emigrants to dispose OF their property In Russia
and II at the end OF that time the land was not
taken up 1t was to revert to the government. Mr..
Edmunds, OF Vermont, considered the provisions
OF the measure contrary to and at variance with
the spirit Of our institutions, and that it would
be fatal step to inaugurate species Of class
legislation by devoting large portion OF public
lands TO any sect or people. Messrs. Conkling and
Ferry objected on the general grounds that as the
Mennonites were leaving Russia because they
would under the new DEGREES OF the Empire be
compelled to bear arms. and that they expected
they would be free from that obligation in the
United States, the two Senators named, therefore,
could not consent that any body Of men should
come under the protection OF our laws and settle
within our territory and not contribute their
share to the general defence. Mr. Ferry went 1ur.
ther and said he believed that II there was pro.
vision inserted in the bull requiring the Mennonites
TO become naturalized citizens not one OF them
would leave Russia at all.
Mr.. WINDOW EXPLAINS.
Mr.. Window stated, in reply, that there was
nothing In the bill exempting the Mennonites from
military service nor granting them any special
privileges. They did not propose, he said, to come
n body, and, being OF different occupations,
soud scatter themselves over the West The
Canadian government, to whom they had applied.
be added, had offered greater inducements to them
70 locate in the Dominion than were embraced In
the Senate bill, including exemption from carrying
Arms. Objections we're made BY other Senators to
extending greater favors to one class OF emgranss
than another. ALL while encouraged should be
placed on the same footing-treated exactly alike
one should be the rule Tor all The Mennonites
were undoubtedly most worthy class OF people,
viii be well recsived and every ry Opportunity y
Afforded them TO establish themselves comfortably
anu happily. the bill soon comes up again IN Its
RUSSIAN MILITARY LAW.
IL Will be remembered that about two years
enforcing universal compulsory military service
among its subjects. the Mennonltes regard, like
be with their reiiSioas views, and immediately
made application to the representative OF the
United States at Odessa ior information on the fol.
loving ponts:-"First-May our community obtain
In the United states Tor ourselves and our pos.
terity entire exemption from military service, d..
belief in the Word Of CODY second-May emigranss
10 the United states nope TO receive piece OF
Of need, reckon on an advance or loan Of money
rom the government Third-Wouid it be advisa.
pie 70 send in advance Of emigrating delegation
whether to choose Canada or the United States
series OF questions TO the British Consul.
PERMISSION GRANTED TO EMIGRATE.
Gated to The Stale Department OF Washington the
first difficulty was the TACT that Russian law makes
It crime Tor subjects to emigrate and 1t is also
crime to induce them to emlgrate. Mr.. Fish did
not hold out any encouragement that Congress
would make the Mennonltes an exception by
granting tuem lands In the meantime, however,
the Russian government consented TO their lcav.
Ing, thinking 1t lar better to lose those inhabitants
VINO insisted upon rights guaranteed to them by
letters patent than to in hinge upon the principle
or equality Of all Subjects, without any exception
whatever to render military service to the State.
Delegates accordingly lett Tor this Continent and
visited many parts OF the United states and Canada.
They have since gone back to Russia, evidently i'm
the purposes settlement The district OF country
they are about TO leave embraces some OF the RICH
est lands and settlements IN the South or Russia.
THE MENNONITE SETTLEMENT IN RUSSIA.
The Mennonites flrst came to Russia from Prus-
STA Ia 1889. in answer to an invitation of Catharne
H.. who gave them land, means with which TO
establish themselves and temporary relief from
taxes ana contributors and promised them re-
ligious freedom and exemption forever from mill
tary service. They settled IN the South OF Russia
near the Black Sea, and now number altogether
colonies. Though their present condition Is pros
perous general emigration would occasion losses
ID their lands and houses, and some would be lett
latops one toward the other, emigration has TO
include the poor. The Mcnnonites are good agr-
culturlsts, but are particularly noted Tor their
plantations OF fruit. forest and mulberry trees. This
culture they have followed with great success on
steppes that were formerly perfectly bare. The
Mcnnontes are Intelligent, industrious and perse-
verng. They are in addition very clean, orderly,
moral, temperate and economical Petzholdt, In
his travels in 1855, says that 1t IL his firm convic-
ton that Russia cauIot show any more dtligent
or useful snbjec,sn There are schools IN every
village and education u universal among them.
Mr. Anuuyinr limited States Charge at st. Peter1.
burg, wrote two years ago. wHeh the irst applica.
ton was made that re ald mot tnink mat ~
emigfants than these Mennonites; and should the
whole colony go to the United states they would
rapidly develop into good and useful cltzens.n
Mr.. Smith, United states Consul al Odessa, WHO IL
In their neighborhood and VINO must have good
opportunities OF Judging, remarks that they are
very honest industrious and exemplary people,"
ana, II once established In the United states,
would make themselves and the country better
dnomas Jefferson was OF opinion that the pest