The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-03-15
Our Northwest Letter
Special to the CARBON ADVOCATE
MINNEAPOLIS, March s, 1884


MINNEAPOLIS, March g. 1884.
Without doubt the northwest is as
much part of the United States of Am
erica as New York or Massachusetts,, but
to q visitor from foreign country, it
would be difficult to persuade him that
it was not system of provinces of diff
ferent nationalities. In one section he
will find the short, swarthy hued b.
hemians exclusively, invariably speaking
their native tongue and generally living
in abject poverty. In another and per-
haps adjoining tier of counties there will
be found only the tall Danes with their
aristocratic bearing. Near by horde of
Russian Jewish refugees partake their
first freedom and drink in the zephyrs
from the Dakota prairies which, compared
with the Siberian air, they hud warm and
healthful. French peasants have appro.
pIiated another land district, and with
proverbial thrift aud industry are max
ing it pay, though they cannot indulge
in visions of the vine and fig tree IN this
latitude. The plethoric German Is the
merchant for all Of these classes, and the
Swedes and Norwegians are the aristo-
Gratis, Notwithstanding they are by far
the most numerous class. In fact the
Swe1e has practically appropriated the
northwest, aud is power politically that
parties respect. He is good citizen,
honest, energetic, industrious and sober.
The majority of these foreign elements
of our society are OF comparatively recent
adoption, aud like all new comers are
suspicious of the natives. hence, an ex-
clusiveness that divides society into
many cliques, All however appear to
feel that they have struck good thing
in coming TO this country aud will stand
by each other in common cause. The
native born children of Swedes who have
lived here a long time rather look ask =
ance at the new comers from their faith.
eTS' land, and speak of them as 'come
over folks" There seems TO be some
thing in the air that makes a child born
under the stars and stripes feel that he
is better than one born in any other
country or cline. 1t will be interesting
TO know what will be the characteristics
Of the child of future generation result
ing from the admiIturs of these widely
differing Glasses OF society, for while they
are olanulsh at present, love will break
through such bars and intermarriaee
will be common.
There Is much discontent among the
farmers in the Canadian province OF
Manitoba. Rebailion is talked of and
the movement is agitated by the Fenian
element who want anything that will iu-
jure old England, and upheld by land
boomers this side of the line who know
that it will increase immigration to the
territories. There is no doubt some Just
cause for growing as the Canadian Gov
eminent has largely subsidized one rail-
road that proves 10 be harsh monopoly
Western enterprise is fast erowding
Yankee ingenuity, and now breaks on
in the form of a railroad from some point
in Dakota to tap Hudson's Bay and then
connect with a water -oute through Da-
Wis Shaits to England, thus securing a
line not longer than via the Great Lakes
aud New York and it is alleged much
cheaper.
Anticipating the probable forfeiture of
a large portion Of land now held by the
Northern Pacific road, settlers are squat
ting on them, aud when the average vest
eTn settler squats, he must have gold be-
fore he'll move, but then little of this
stuff will 90 a long ways, especially in
winter.
Business men and farmers. who were
fortunate enough to be able to leave
these friRid attitudes for warmer elimes
in the east during the winter, are now
beginning to wander back again, and
after digging their stores and houses out
Of the snow will begin to lay plans for
the spring movement in booms and the
fall movement in wheat. There will be
less personal baggage dumped on tbs
Dakota prairies this year than last, as