The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-01
SCANDINAVIAN IMMIGRATION.
Letter From the Swedish Consul, Emil
Iindburg, on the Subject.
371 FULTON STREET,

BROOKLYN, N. Y, Sept. 90.
To THE BDIToR OF THE TIMES: In
this four hundreth anniversary Of the
discovery OF this country by Christopher
Columbus, the brave Italian navigator
sailing under the Spanish flag, the con-
tinents of Europe and America are all
aglow with thusiasm for the fearless
discoverer. Without detracting one iota
from the fame OF Columbus it may be
interesting to inquire how he was led to
believe in undiscovered lands. There
were at the time, and had been in the
schools OF Spain and Italy, more pro-
found scientists and scholars than
Columbus. The theory OF the sphericity
of the globe had among scholars been
conceded. Columbus had made voyages
on the Mediterranean sea and north
ward TO Norway and possibly to Iceland.
Here he no doubt gathered information
that awakened in his restless mind
desire to sail westward for the dis
covery of new and shorter pathway to
the Orient or the discovery Of new
lands.
The Normans, Mortimer or Scandl.
navians-they are all one, and are now
known as Swedes, Norwegians. Danes
and FinlanderS-are a race of mariners.
They have been 80 from time immemo-
rial. AS sea rovers and vikings in the
tenth century, fleet after fleet OF this
venturesome race sailed southwark and
overran and took possession Of Holland,
England, France, Italy and Sicily. In
the year 1000, almost five hundred
years before Columbus was born, bold
Scandinavian leader, Eric the Red. sent
forth his son, Lett, with crew of thirty
five men, on distant voyage Of discov-
cry. They first discovered Labrador,
then Nova Scotia, and, still sailing
southwesterly, they came to Cape Cod,
Mar.ha's Vineyard and Narragansett
Bay. Aftorward other Mortimer came
to this continent and founded settle
ments along the shores IN New England.
The history OF these voyages is curious
and furnished, no doubt to Columb bus
the fact of the existence Of this country.
1t matters little in this day whether
Left, the Scandinavian, or Columbus,
the Italian, was the frat discoverer of
this country. The people OF Europe are
coming to America In vast numbers to
find permanent homes. Every day are
embarking at the port Of Now York
thousands OF European immigrants.
For my Scandinavian countrymen can
conscientiousiy say that they are no.
BILE type Of manhood and womanhood.
They are educated and religious. They
are peaceable and industrious and very
quickly assimilate with the Americans
an make desirable citizens. They
have money enough to make reasona.
BILE first payment on a tract of land and
have enough to purchase supplies until
they can make crop and begin to real
ize from Investments.
II the royal families of Russia and
England seek marriage alliances with
our Scandinavians the race must be in
good repute in Europe. The princess Of
Wales, prospective queen Of England,
and her sister the Empress of Russia,
are Danes Scsndinavians. Our Scandi-
navians are settled in every State in the
Northwest. They are excellent citizens
The question arises, Would the South
welcome such people? Will they receive
encouragement from the Southerners?
I should BIO pleased to confer with
any and all people in tho South who
may take an interest in this matter.
We want lands that arc fertile and
where the prospects are favorable. We
want them at reasonable prices Exor-
bitant prices will not be paid. The
Scandinavian Homestead Society will
during tho present year control the
| location and settlement of one thousand
families or i've thousand people.
Emil. LINDBUaG.