The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-08-13
The Swedish COlOny-..SOme Facts.

So many false and misleading state
ments have been made respecting the
attempt to colonize Swedes in Vermont,
and-as usual-the false statements
having generally out-traveled the true,
we are tempted, at the risk of repeating
much that we have already said, to give
the following summary of the present
condition of the colonies and the pros
poets of the scheme.
In the first place, respecting the al
legged failure of the Vershire colony,
the facts are that the Swedes left YER
shire simply because there was not
enough work to do outside of their
farms. Leaving Sweden with only
money enough to reach their destina-
ton, they must have work to support
their families until their lands yield
such support. They showed their good
sense in compromising the situation,
and in themselves making arrangements
to go where plenty of work could be
had. A long winter was before them,
during which little could be done on
their farms, and four months of idle
Judgment, if they intended to pay for
their lands; and, like sensible men as
they are, they made their own arrange
ments to go elsewhere, leaving honor
ably. owing no man a dollar. They
found no fault with the people, and
showed gratitude for the kindness done
them. The people had done much for
them, and the disappointment at their
leaving was keen, for they liked the
Swedes, giving full credit to them for
industry, honesty and frugality. But
they are vet in the state, on lands
bought in Essex county. That county
presents many advantages for Swedish
or other immigrants. 1t is matter of
congratulation, rather than regret, that
the Swedes went there, and it is eX-
pected that they will send for their
friends to follow them.
AS for dissatisfaction elsewhere
there is no evidence of it, On the con-
trary, the colonists are sending for
their friends to join them. There are
supposed to be on the way to-day
from Sweden for Weston, at least
three, and for Wilmington three,
with two more to follow soon,
There seems to be no trouble about the
Swedes being satisfied in Vermont sc
long as they can get fair lands as cheap
as offered now, on conditions which
will enable them to pay for such lands
but those without money must have
work in plenty, until they can get {
start. Kindness, sympathy and for
} bearance, perhaps, must also be shown
Any attempt to overreach them, by
those selling them lands, would be fata
to the success of any colony; they
would, in such case, simply move some
} where else. Thus far there has beer
t but little complaint coming to thu
: knowledge of the commissioner.
! A town possessing the lands men
! toned, with opportunity for labor t.
t those who need it, can make colon,
t a success, especially when there il
, within its borders practical business
= man, of kindly, sympathetic instincts
| who will interest himself in this mat
ter, even at some sacrifice, and Sc,
4 that the immigrant is fairly deal
with, and that he does not suffer il
any way for the first few weeks afte
arrival, and before he gets little ide
g of our language and ways. Such
man can do wonders toward making
a colony success, and secure to hi
t ! town all the advantages OF colony o