The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-09-15
THE SWEDISH CITIZENS OF AMERICA.
Their History and Value to the United
States,
Portrayed In the Grafton by Hon.
W. w. Thomas, Dr.,
At the 25oth Anniversary Of the
Founding Of Sweden.

neapolis by the celebration of the 250th an
niversary of the settlement of New Sweden
in America. The city was crowded with
Swedish Americans and their friends, and
although the rain interfered with the pro-
gramme, necessitating the omission of the
parade, the celebration WAS great success.
The meeting in the great exposition build
ing was attended by over $4,000 people, who
completely filed the vast auditorium. The
programme was as follows;
Musc--Cappa's Seventh Regiment Band.
Address OF welcome-The Presiding omcer, Col.
Hellettson.
Oration-Hon. w. w. Thomas, Jr.
Song-Star Splangled Banner.
Historical Address in Swedish. A. Enan-
der, Esq.
Ode
acknowledgements MeGill.
Song.
Brief Remarks-Messrs. Liyensum, Andrews,
Nyv0lt, Petre Schnoker.
150th Psalm Of David-Cappas Band.
The vocal music was by a chorus Of 150
Swedish singers. Mr.. Thomas's Grafton.
which follows. was received with many ex-
pressions OF commendation
Two hundred and fifty years ago there
came sailing into Delaware bay Swedish
ship-of- war, the Kdlnldr Nickel, accompan-
led by smaller vessel, the FogeL Grip.
These two ships had on board the first Swed-
ish colony of America. 1t was in the early
spring Of the year 1858. For more than six
months these colonists from Old Sweden had
been tossed upon the ocean, and now so de-
lighted were they with this New World that
they called the Cape on which they landed
Paradise Point. The Swedes acquired, by
fair purchase from the Indians, an ample
domain on the west bank of Delaware bay
and river, stretching from Cape Henlopen to
the Falls near Trenton, embracing nearly
the whole of the present State Of Delaware,
as we'll as goodly portion Of Pennsylvania,
and extending westward without bound or
limit. The cOlonists Immediately built for
tress, which they Loyalty named Fort Chris
tina, after their youthful queen: and they
called their young State New SWEDEN,
name at once commemorative OF the past and
auspicious Of the future. The Swedes found
the climate pleasant, and the soil fertile.
They built new settlements along the Della
ware, and they received important acces-
sions from the mother country. The earth
returned to them its increase in 00untiful
measure; their fioeks and herds multiplied; ;
they lived in peace and friendship with the
red men, and in every way made prosper
GUS beginning in colonial life. But cloud
hung over the infant State. The Dutch at
New Netherlands saw with jealous eye this
young and thriving rival established on their
borders, and by many methods sought to in
timidate and drive away the Swedes. At
last, in 1855, the Dutch suddenly appeared In
Delaware bay with force of six or seven
hundred men and seven ships. Their COM
ing took the Swedes by surprise. The
troops OF the enemy outnumbered their own
four to one. The Dutch first took Fort
Trinity and then Fort Christina; and with
these fortresses all New Sweden fell under
the sway of Holland. Yet this conquest did
the Dutch but little good. Only nine years
later the English captured New Netherlands,
and with it New Sweden; and the central
portion of this Continent passed forever un-
der the dominion of the English speaking
race.
New Sweden as distinct political organi-
zation, under the Swedish flag, existed but
for seventeen years. Yet, brief as was its
life, this little colony occupies memorable
place IN American history, and has-left a
lasting impress upon this continent. Many
of the Swedish colonists continued to live on
the banks of the Delaware, and their de-
scendants have ever been, and are to-day,
among the most influential and honored citi-
zens of the three States of Pennsylvania,
Delaware and New Jersey. The man who
as member Of the Continental Congress gave
the casting vote Of Pennsylvania in favor Of
the Declaration of Independence was a
Swede of the old Delaware stock, John Nor
ton, the worthy ancestor of the great war
governor Morton of Indiana. And when
civil war burst upon the land, 1t was de-
scendent of New Sweden, the gallant Gem
eral Robert Anderson, who with but a hand
full Of men calmly and bravely met the first
shock of the rebellion at Fort Sumpter
Surely love OF freedom and patriotism,
and state craft and yalor came over to
America, not only in the Mdnf0cer, bnt also
in that Swedish ship the Kdlinar Nyckel
And New Sweden will ever be illustrious
from the principles of true humanity, which
distinguished its founding The idea Of
New Sweden originated in the mind Of Gus
until after his death that the plan was
carried out by his great chancellor, Oxen
stjerna. 1t was the intention of the Swedish
King that this colony should be an asylum
for the oppressed of all nations; a free state.
where all should have equal rights, and en-
joy to the fullest extent the fruits Of their
own labor. Slavery should never exist with
in its borders, for, said Gustavus, Slaves
cost great deal, labor with reluctance, and
soon perish with hard usage" Wise words
thesel Had America adhered to this en-
lightened policy of the founder of New
Sweden we would have been spared our civil
war, with all Its untold suffering and cost
Such humane principles were the rule
of action within this little state. Not only
this, but they were .conspicuously carried
out by the Swedes in their dealings with the
Indians. The land was bought OF its origin
al possessors by honorable purchase. Trade
between the white man and the red was fair
and square. The Swede always kept his
word with the Indian, and never abused nor
cheated him. In return the dusky children
of the forest bestowed upon the fair-haired
sons of the Northland their respect and love-
They dwelt in peace and friendship together I;
and no Indian would ever raise his hand, or
his tomahawk against Swede.
William Penn arrived on this continent in
1852; forty-four years after the Swedes. He
landed near the site of Fort Trinity, within
the limits of New Sweden. 1t was the Swe-
dish settlers and their children who received
the good Quaker, welcomed him to the New
World, and entertained him with kindness
and hospitality. Itwas the Swedes alse who
acted as Penn's interpreters with the Indi-
ans. How could it be otherwise than so
keen an observer as Penn should learn from
his hosts and interpreters their manner of
dealing with the red man, and be impressed
with its success: Precisely as the Swedes
had done before him, Penn acquired land of
the Indians by purchase, treated them kind
IL, and kept faith with them. Penn has been
justly praised for his peaceful and humane
policy towards the red men. would not
America has crowned the great Quaker.
But "honor to whom honor is DUE" Impair
tial history records that the honor of origin
ating this policy on this continent is due,
not to William Penn. but to the Swedes of
New Sweden. Penn, in a letter, mentions
his kind reception by the Swedes and praises
their industry and their respect for authority.
He goes on to say, "As they are people
proper and strong Of body, so they have fine
children, and almost every house full; rare
10 uuu Ou6 VI tuolu WlbuOut tuICc VI lOuI
boys, and as many girls; some six, seven
and eight sons. And must do them right
Il see few young men more sober and indus
trious." Verify keen observer was the
good Quaker! Strong Industrious lads, fine
looking girls, and houses full Of children.
These we all recognize as characteristic Of
the Swedish race.
The French have saying, "lt is the first
step that costs" This Is true. 1t issthe first
step also which is memorable. The begin
nings of things most excite our interest and
admiration, and 1t is to the founders of en-
pires that history assigns the first place.
New Sweden will ever occupy post Of
honor in the annals Of this country, because
it was the first step in a Scandinavian immi-
grafton to America which has now become
alike grand in proportions and beneficent in
results.
How much influence New Sweden has had
upon this immigration 1t Is difficult to say I;
America a colony Of Swedes founded by
Sweden's greatest King, must have had it,
effect upon Swedish thought and action
Yet throughout our entire colonial period
and indeed during the earlier decades of the
Republic Swedish immigration was insignif-
cant. In the ten years from 1920 to 1880, the
entire number of alien passengers arriving
in the United States from both Sweden and
Norway was but ninety-four LESS than ten
persons year, from both countries. Since
then the number of Scandinavians seeking
homes in America has, with some tluctua-
tions, rapidly increased; but it was not till
1863-only twenty-five years ago-that the
immigration from Sweden began to pour In
upon US, with that mighty tide, which CON
stitutes one Of the marvels in the movements
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