Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-09-08
VOLUNTARY EXILES.
The Mrnnonites In ManitobR..Detntls I
ThAiP l.lGc.

| NOLUNIAWI EAILESs
The Mranonite- In Maniioba..Dcsniis q
Their life.
The Mennonite reservation east Of tn
Red river, aud about twenty-five mile
southeast Of Winnepeg, is now rs wei
populated as any district of the provinc
OF Manitoba, and tho most recent immi
grafton hns been directed to reservation
of seventeen townships adjoining tn
frontier, and extending west of Red rive
to Pembina mountain. The settlemen
on the reservation Arst mentioned, callet
Cat River, consists Of six hundred ant
fifty families, and on the second reserva
tion, called Dufferin, four hundred ant
fifty families have been planted. In ad
dition, thirty-three families have beer
settled near Scratching river, and the re-
cent arrival of thirty-five families will &C
to Dufferin.
Estimating five to family, the Men
MONTE settlements of Manitoba contain
population of 5,S65, which will doubt-
less increase steadily, but by no means
with the volume Of the past three years.
The Mennonites who still remain in
southern Russia, though inclined to i'm.
migrate, in consequence of the termina-
ton Of the stipulation exempting them
from military service, are not prepared
to sacrifice their possessions. When they
can sell without disadvantage they immi.
CRATE. The exodus is thereby likely to
be gradual, especially as the Russian
government, while insisting on the right
of conscription, assents readily to special
assignments of service in Difference to
the Mennonite conscience-such as trans.
portation, forestry and hospital service
very much as the Quakers of the United
States during the late civil war were SUBJ
iected to military service, but relieved
from bearing arms.
The immigrating class of Lutheran
Quakers, known as Mennonites, are
neither rich nor poor, but are an inter-
mediate body, who are, however, by no
means destitute. Mr.. Hesper estimates
that the sum brought into the province
by the Mennonite immigration is $780,
600, and the recent arrival of thirty-five
families have not less than $40,
There are Mennonite settlements in
the Western States, but the land system
there inforced does not admit of special
and Manitoba has thus
been enabled to present great induce
ments for this class of settlers. Here
the community can organize itself fully
according to it's traditions, including the
rural village life of the dolf-or dorp, as
we believe the word is Anglicized-a GUS
tom which has great merit, socially and
ndustrially, and will warrant some full
hess of detail.
A group Of families-usually sixteen
n number-take their homesteads sep.
'rately, but proceed to throw them to-
yether, selecting the most desirable
situation for village OF dnrf, through
which street two chains wide is laid,
md plot divided into half-acre lots,
With assignments for church, school, or
,ther public use. A tract most suitable
or tillage is then selected in block,
which is inclosed, and within which each
lead of family cultivates that portion
# his allotment---for there is no COM
nunism-that he finds convenient. A
lay meadow, held also in severalty, is
hosen, and the remainder of the con-
olidated homestead is used as a range
or cattle and other animals, which
re invariably attended by herdsman,
vho is paid by the dorf. The village
DTS and other subdivisions are dstribu-
ed by lot.
The houses-only found in the dorf--
re comfortable, heated by central brick
vens, warming three OF four rooms.
he same roof usually extends over
eparate lodgings for cattle, although in
his respect there is growing tendency
} have different tenements. Each family
as yoke of oxen, two COWS, and in
efinite poultry. The pig is not wanting;
nd there are five hundred sheep, and
ne hundred and fifty horses on the Rat
ver reservation.
The municipal government is simple
The heads of families an
ually select mayor or reeve, who is
le chief executive officer, constantly
with his constituents. Over
le whole community is president or
der, elected for five years, and who,
'sociated with the mayors OF the dorf,
I'm a court for the final adjustment of
l disputes and the enactment of all
ordinances. The president
ay act in all matters relating to sep
ate village in concurrence with the
ayor thereof.
The church organization is quite dis. i.
net from the civil administration. The
'ople elect clergyman in each dorf,
I'd bishop to preside over the whole ,,
for periods Of five years.
ley receive no stipends. The teachers
the schools, one held in each village, /,
e chosen by the people, but are paid a
oderate compensation. Marriages are =.
ee-no allotments as formerly among
e Moravians-and usually contracted .
rly, the parties often remaining with /.
e mort prosperous of the parents for ;,
year OF two. n
An admirable system of mutual in .
rance against fire prevails under a
ard OF directors elected by the whole .
The insured are not re- d
'icted in amount, but contribute pro
Ia in case of any loss.
Woman.
who vubiIop, uoc woaE u,,o Y