The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-11-29

The Scandinavian people who come tc
this country are thrifty, orderly, hard
working and intelligent ard readily adapl
themselves to their surroundings. They
quickly learn the language, and the younger
portion of them are able to master very
quickly its pronunciation, which to the
older persons has obstacles that they sell
dom fully overcome. They also rapidly
become an integral part of the community,
acquiring citizenship and considerable
familiarity with American politics and
methods of government.
Professor BoEEssoN, in the North Aneri-
can ReyieC, points out one circumstance
connected with them which hes, no doubt,
been observed by great many individuals
who have observed their ways. He says
the Norwegians are jealous of the Swedes,
and the Danes are jealous of both. If a
Swede is candidate for Office he is very
likely to be opposed by the other nationali
| ties of the Scandinavian race and he will
usually oppose them.
This rivalry has been observed some
what in these parts, though perhaps not to
the same extent as it prevails in portions
Of the northwest. In consequence of it,
few comparatively of the Scan dinavians
obtain public positions. 1t is said that in q
population where there are but half as
many Irish as Scandinavians, the former
usually obtain q much larger representa-
ton in municipal and county Offices. This
Professor BoYKssoN Justly explains, s not
in consequence Of lack of aptitude for pub
lie affairs. But he considers il due to their
lack of unity and discipline ana the prev
alence of personal enmities. Il may also
be partly due to their defects in pronuncia-
ton, which unthlnking people confound
with lack of ability, and SO genuine talent
is unappreciated because of imperfections
in speech.
But this failure Of Scandinaviaus to OBJ
tain marked recognition in official life may
not be altogether an evil. For while it is
desirable that union and harmony should
prevail among people Of the same race, the
organization of national societies such as
Irish Americans, German Americans,
Swedish-Americans, etc, is not a good
thing for the country. These national
characteristics should be as fast as possible
obliterated. Not in the capacity of Scan
dinayian, or Scotch, or French or German
aspirants for Office should candidates sue
coed, but as American citizens, without
distinction as to race or language or previ-
Gus conditions.
This division among Scandinavlans as to
their Swedish or Danish or Norwegian
origin appears more marked to lockers on
than it does perhaps to themselves. Not
that people usually discern any difference
either in person or IN dialect between
Swedes and Norwegians and Danes unless
they be close and critical observers. But
in this clannish spirit which crops out
every now and then the national opposition
is manifest, and for their own good it
should not be permitted TO grow and be
transmitted to their posterity.
The American spirit should unite all
classes of resident foreigners. When an
! alien becomes naturalized he is citizen of
our common country. Old national ties are
sundered all his interests of country are
made new Henceforth he should Danish
feelings born of sectional prejudice, and
regard his fellow citizens, of whatever race
or nation. as members of the same national
family, living under one government.
marching under the one flag.