The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-08-07
SWEDISH COLONIZATION SCHEME.

There is disposition on the part OF
some of the State papers to have a
weekly fling at the Swedish colonization
scheme. Now this project is not out
side the pale of criticism, but inasmuch
as it is merely an experiment, in its ex-
perimental stage, and is being gunned
by man of unquestioned integrity and
business ability, who has given more
thought to the question of state devel-
opment than any of his critics, it is no
more than Just that comment should be
tempered with candor, and that sweep
ing conclusions should have a basis of
| facts.
Like every reasonable experiment,
the colonization scheme should be given
fair trial. No one claims that the
introduction of Swedes into Vermont
will cause the State to bloom like a
garden. Mr.. Valentine himself only
undertook the project after mature
deliberation and investigation, and the
most he claims for it, at present, is that
it is thus far a success, and promises to
develop as anticipated. So far as the
manufacturing interests of the State are
concerned, Mr.. Valentine has done all
that any one could do with the limited
appropriation at his command or that
i Ine Dlll duliOIlLillH liit COiilliliholOli
meditated. With $1,000 at his disposal
any attempt to divert capital to this
State, overcoming the Western and
Southern impulse created by the in
Vulnerable land and investment com
panies, any of which scatter dollars
where he might dole cents, would be
ludicrous. The trend of capital is away
from the State. Millions of money and
regiments of men are used in drawing il
in other directions, and any cOndemna.
ton of Major Valentine, on the ground
that he has not caused factories and
mills to spring up on our streams, is un.
reasonable.
The abandoned farm is not a myth. II
this is patent in Caledonia county Oi
Washington county, it certainly is in
Windham and Bennington counties
From a single evidence in town in
Windham county nineteen farms, with
good buildings which are unOccupied
can be pointed out. The commissioner
estimates that there are more than one
thousand farms, half of which have
buildings that are fit for occupation
which are abandoned. The cause of the
abandonment of these farms furnishes q
reason for the introduction of the
Swedes. The American youth is drifting
away from agricultural pursuits. Thi,
may be unfortunate, but it is the fact
The gold fever took them to California
The rebellion, atits close, left thousand,
outside of Vermont never to return;
and the desire TO make money rapidly
and see more of the world is continually
drawing them away from the farms into
business, mechanics and the professions
If their places are to be taken, let it b,
by people who are frugal, intelligent
and industrious; and of all the immi
, grants who come TO our shores the Swede'
possess these qualities in the greatest
degree. They assimilate quickly will
the surrounding population, and ar,
thrifty and honest. But in coming /,
America they naturally desire to settle il
the most favorable part of the country
and as Europe is filled with the agents o
the Western immigration and transport
alton companies very little is heard o
Vermont. Mr. Nordgren, after inspec
ting Vermont farming lands, was per
suaded TO represent to his people tn
, merits of the Green Mountain State II
is man who has the confidence of hi
/ countrymen, and is accustomed to tn
: organization of parties of emigrants, bu
found it extremely difficult to divert