The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-09-16
TIE MENNoNITES IN MANITOBA.
THE THRIFTY LUTHERAN QUAKERs WHO
ARE MAKING HOMES IN AMERICA.
(Winnipeg Standard }


The Mennonite reservation east of the
, Red river, and about twenty five miles
, southeast of Winnipeg, is now ss well pop
ulsted as any district Of the Province OF
Manitoba, and the most recent migration
has been directed to o reservation of seven
teen townships adjoining the frontier, and
extending west of Red river to Pembina
mountain. The settlement on the reserva-
ton first mentioned, called Kat river con-
eists of $50 families, and on the second
reservation, called Dnferin, $50 families
have been planted. In addition, thirty
three antilles have been settled near
Scratching river, and the recent arrival of
thirty five families will go to Dufferin.
Estimating FIVE to family, the. MennO-
| mite settlements of Manitoba contain pop
uiation of 5.S65, which will doubtless in
crease steadily, but by no means with the
volume of the past three years. The Men
| uouites who still remain in Southern Rus
| sis, though inclined to emigrate, in conse
quence or the termination of the stipulation
txempting them from military services, are
Dot prepared to sacrifice their possessions.
When they can cell without disadvantage
they emigrate. The exodus is therefore
likely to be gradual, especially as the
Russian Government, while insisting on the
right of consumption, assents readily to
special assignments of service in Difference
to the Mennonite econscience-such as trans
portation, forestry, and hospital service
very much as the Quakers of the United
States, during the late civil war, were sab
jected to military service, but relieved from
bearing arms.
I he emigrating classes of Lutheran
Quakers, known as Mennonites, are neither
the rich nor the poor, but are an interme-
date body, v ho are, however, by no means
destitute. Mr.. Hespeer estimates that the
sum brought into the province by the
Mennonite Immigration is $500, 600, and
the recent arrival of thirty Ave families
brought not lees than $4,000.
There are Mennonite settlements in the
Western States, but the land system there
enforced does not admit of special reserva-
tions, and Manitoba has thus been enabled
to present greater Inducements for this
c!ass of settlers. Here the community can
organize itself according to its traditions,
including tue rural village life of the dorf
Or dorp, as we believe the word ia angli-
cised-a custom which has great merit
socially and industrially, and will warrant
some fullness of detail.
A group of families-ususlly sixteen in
mum ber-take their homesteads separately,
but proceed to throw them together,
selecting the most desirable situation for |
village or dorf, through which Il street two |
chains wide is laid, and plat divided |
into halt acre lots, with assignments for |
church, school, OF other pu bile use. A tract |
most suitable for tillsge is then selected in |
a block which is enclosed, and within which |
tion of his allotment-for there is NO
he finds convenient. A |
hay meadow, held also in severalty, is |
and the remainder of the CONSOLE
dated homesteads is used as q range for +
cattle and other animals, which are invari-
ably attended by a herdsman who is paid
by the dorf. The village lots and other
are distributed by lot.
The houees-only found in the dorf-are
heated by central brick ovens,
three or four rooms. The same
roof usually extends over separate lodgings
for cattle, although in this respect there is
a growing tendency to have different tene-
ments. Each family has a yoke of oxen,
two cows, and indefinite poultry. The pig
is not wanting. and there are 500 sheep and
$50 horses on the Rat river reservation.
The municipal Govern menE is a simple
democracy. The heads of families annually
select Mayor or Reeve, who is the chief
executive officer, constantly comforting with
bis constituents. Over the whole commQ-
nifty is President or Elder, elected for
five years, and who, associated with the
Mayors of the doris, forms a court for the
final adjustment of all disputes, and the
enactment of all necessary ordinances The
President may act in all matters connected
with separate village in concurrence with
the Mayor thereof.
Tho church organization is quite distinct
from the civil administration. The people
cieCt q clergy man IN eacn OOTI, ana q
bishop to preside over the whole c9mmu-
nifty for periods of FIVE years. They receive
no stipends. The teachers of the schools-
one held in each village-are chosen by the
people, but are paid a moderate compensa-
tion. Marriages are frte-no allotment as
formerly among tue Moravisns-snd usu
ally contracted early, the parties often
remaining with the most prosperous of the
parents for year OF two.
An admirable system of mutual insurance
against fire prevails, under board of
directors elected by the whole community.
The insured are not restricted in amount,
but contribute pro rata in case of any loss.
The Mayor of dorf, with two assistants,
an Orphan Court for the dissri-
button of estates and the custody of the
funds of orphans, for which the property
Of every villager is liable, deductiDg from
the said orphan fund whatever contribu-
tons for the relief of the few destitute
orphans may be found necessary.
IRE GREG0RKAN CHANT At THE BALTT.
MORE CATHEDRAL.