The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-05-22
western View of swedes in Vermont.


Editor Of the Bdnner:-I have read
numerous articles in your paper and 9th
er papers of Vermont, concerning the es-
tablishing of Swedes upon the hill farms
of the State. 1t was the purpose of the
projectors of that plan, to do good, but
am afraid the widespread discussion of
the matter has had quite the opposite
effect.
One hears frequently here in the West
disparaging remarks in regard to the re-
sources and prospects of Vermont, and
real estate men cite the State as one of
the points from which a large emigra-
ton is to take place in the near future.
Western papers have enlarged upon the
gloomy views held up to the reading pub
lie and would sometimes make 1t appear
that poverty and restitution were the
rule in the Green Mountain State, and
that dissolution of society there was near
at hand,
Some of the farms in the remOter dis
tricts of the State, were evidently not in
tended by the Creator for cultivation, but
to produce the finest timber in the world.
1t would seem that much of this land
could be profitably left to grow up into
fine forests to supply the future demands
for timber, which must inevitably come
on account of heavy consumption of
lumber, as at present.
Furthermore, would suggest that If
the support, encouragement and credits
extended to Swedes were also extended
to some of the wide awake Vermont
boys, more of the latter would remain
there to develop the resources of the
State. This would also keep pure the
fountain of American manhood and
lwomanhood and those sterling qualities,
which will soon be needed in directing
and controlling the policy of the Nation
in questions arising from the great in
flux of the people from the other side Of
the Atlantic. Vermont, and the other
States also, will find that foreign immi-
grafton is not an unmixed blessing. Let
Vermont extend to her sons and daugh-
ters her support, cooperation and en-
couragement, and both will be blessed.
Thus the much vexed question will settle
itself quietly.
We Vermonters in the West still cher
ish warm feelings for our native State,
and are panied when she is placed in
such an unfortunate and untruthful
light as she has been placed in the re-
cent agitation. / deprecate the result Of
the scheme, well intended as it was, but
am compelled to believe, that the wide
spread discussion involved, has caused
great injury to the material interests Of
the State, other interests suffering as
well as agriculture.
No benefits, arising from locating a
small colony of Swedes, or other foreign
elements, will compensate for this in
jury. Yours respectfully,
| G. II. BoTTUM.
Mr.. Bottum says, in sending the
above: Having been reared at Shafts
bury, and having read the BANNER since
able to read at all, take the liberty to
send you the article enclosed" On our
fourth page to-day under the heading of
Swedish Settlers" our friend will find
that much of his criticism has been an
ticipated. This article is an ex-
ample of the Eastern view of the situa-
ton as cOnstrasted with the Western
idea. Moreover, it is not the ''remoter
districts that comprise the cheap lands,
but the fertile farms, just as good as
there are to be found, which have been
left comparatively deserted. The State
of Vermont offers just the same oppOr-
tunities to natives that she does to for
eigners, but If, after advertising 200 600
acres in the market at less than the
buildings standing thereon lin many in
stances) cost, the natives do not pur-
chase, why there was no alternative but
to stop few families here who other
wise might have gone to Nebraska. Do
you see the point? The gloomy views
Of Western papers as to Vermont power
ty," is best answered by reference to the
men who hold mortgages on Western
farms.-ED.