Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1890-08-25
The Swedish Colony.

So many false and misleading
statements have been made respect
ing the attempt TO colonize Swedes
in Vermont, and-as usual-the
false statements having generally out
travelled the true, we are tempted, at
the risk of repeating much that we
have already said, to give the fol-
lowing summary of the present con-
dition of the colonies and the pros
poets of the scheme.
In the first place, respecting the
alleged failure of the Vershire colony
the facts are that the Swedes left
Vershire simply because there was
not enough to do outside of their
farms. Leaving Sweden with only
money enough to reach their desti-
nation, they must work to support
their families until their lands yield
such support. They showed their
good sense in comprehending the
situation, and in themselves making
arrangements to go where plenty of
work could be had. A long winter
was before them, during which lit
tie could be done on their farms, and
four months of idleness did not COM
mend itself to their judgment, if they
intended to pay for their lands and,
like sensible men as they are, they
make their own arrangements to go
elsewhere, leaving honorably. 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 leav-
ing was keen, for they liked the
Swedes, giving full credit to them
for industry, honesty and frugality.
But they are yet in the state, on lands
bought in Essex county. That coun-
ty presents many advantages for
Swedish or other immigrants. 1t is
a matter of congratulation, rather
than regret, that the Swedes went
there, and it is expected that they
will send for their friends to follow
them.
AS for dissatisfaction elsewhere,
there is no evidence of it. On the
contrary, 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 so
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
forbearance, perhaps, must also be
shown. Any attempt TO overreach
them, by those selling them lands,
would be fatal to the success of any
colony; they would, in such case,
simply move somewhere else. Thus
far there has been but little COM
plant coming to the knowledge of
the commissioner.
A town possessing the lands men
toned, with opportunity for labor to
those who need it, can make a colony
a success, especially when there is
within its borders practical business
man, of kindly sympathetic instincts,
who will interest himself in this mat
ter, even at some sacrifice, and see
that the immigrant is fairly dealt
with, and that he does not suffer in
any way for the first few weeks after
arrival land before he gets little idea
of our language and ways. Such a
man can do wonders toward making
colony success, and secure to his
town all the advantages of colony
of these temperate, industrious, NOR
al people.
The truth of this statement has al
ready been demonstrated, and there
is no doubt that towns are scattered
all over our state presenting just
these conditions and just such men.
- Wdtchmdn.