Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-12-31
the MENNONITE EXODUS.
Chicago Inter-O Ocean

W[L
1t is authoritatively stated that fifteen
thousand Russian EMennonites will leave
Russia this winter. and that the majority OF
these will settle in colonies in Minnesota
Iowa, Nebraska aud Dakota. These peo-
vout and peacefully inclined. They leave
cause, like the Quakers. they are opposed
TO war, and because in Russia such scruplea
are not respected. but all men are alike sub
jectcd to conscriptiOn.
These people do not ONE as adventure
ers, but a. men seeking homes in q coun-
try that they are to make their own, Rus.
sis loses q large number of good citizens
and America gains them. 10 less than q
year the families will be settled on farms or
in villages, the children will be In school
and In five years the men will be voters.
The first Mennonites emiRrated to the
United States on the invitation of Penn in
1883, and now there are In this country 500
Mennonite churches With 10000 comnuni-
cants. The original doctrine of the church,
n promulgated by its founder, Simon
Memo, maintained that christaius should
not bring law suits, demand interest, take
oaths, nor serve as soldiers, and since that
time the people. Is q class. have been noted
for their simple lives, thrifty habits, and
fidelity TO promises. =
The forefathers of the present emigrsnts
from Russia went to that country from,
Prussia In 1883. and in 1870 the Russian
Mennonites numbered 10000. Faced by
the law that forces them into the army 10 q
country that is almost constantly ct war,
these men of peace emigrate In Q body to 4
country where peace ID the rule and war
the exception.
The west can we'll afford to welcome such
additions to It's population. These people
have in them the promise of good citizen.
ship, and the spirit of Dur institutions will
in good time make them a. patriotic as they
are now earnest Ia devotion 10 their reliai.
Gus principles.
This Mennonite exodus from Russia rep
resents . population one-third larger than
the entire white population of Arizona in
1870, one. fourth larger than that of Dakota,
one-half larger than that of Idaho, twice as
large as that of Wyoming, and nearly as
large - that Of Montana. Thelnorthern states.
like Minnesota and Iowa, have attractions
for them that states with a warmer climate
would not have.
1t is fortunate that the newer states and
territories include 90 vide 4 range in climate
q to be attractive to the people Of. every ma.
lion in Europe. In recent years the noun.
tains Of Colorado, have. attracted = class1 or
People'who wonld have beenldsSpondent and
homeeick!sm Iilipoa eraIowa7 Prsirisa and
cold .DAk0ta has proved pleasant home to
peopleswho would have sickened amid the
erangsssgrovss Of Florida. 1t is to the inter.
ct Of the country at large, a. well, as to the
interest Of Immigrants, 10 have new corners
settle at once to their liking. Well consid-
cred movements,l like this of the Mennonites,
are more successful, because the appropri.
ateness Of climate and associations have en-.
tered into all calculations and an~ticipations.
Other movements of the kind will bring to
different sections large additions to u or
DERBY and industrious population. Even
Alaska'sopportunity may come in connect.
ion with the new route for Siberian trade
opened up by the Swedish snd Russian ex.
peditions moving along the Siberian coas,
toward Behring's Strait,