Skaffaren. (St. Paul, Minn. ;) 1885-1895, 1892-06-08

[ OF Sweden. Many of the equally
mentally obfuscated countrymen" of
the Swedes have found their way to
''this free and enlightened country,
and in spite of the excellent educa-
tional facilities with wich the are sur
rounded, they have remained COB
fuscated'' Ia very good word), hence "it
is already proposed to induce a few of
the wealthier students to visit them.
Well, we ehope they'll come. Not be-
cause the Swedish Americans are in
any particular need of their presence,
but because there are others who at
least ought to appreciate their services.
There are, for instance, the editors and
contributors of the Pioneer Press. They
are not "obfuscated", of course; not at
all! Yet they are sorely in need of in
struction in the rudiments of geograph-
ical, HISTORICAL and statistical knowl-
edge, in the principles of government,
the educational facilities, and social
conditions of cities, states, and nations
outside Of the boundaries Of Minnesota,
with special reference to the countries
Of northern Europe. It would be a
thankless task, certainly, but these
men, coming as the do with'the purpose
of sacrificing themselves for the good
of others, could probably be induced to
undertake it. And we confidently be-
live that Notwithstanding the fact that
these students would come from an ell
literate" country, being nothing but
foreigners, they would nevertheless
be able to furnish some valuable in
formation even regarding this country;
for the Swedish education is of a uni
versal nature, and it is not unusual to
find students at the Swedish universi-
ties who are as familiar with the histo-
ry, government, manners, customs,
and language of other nations as with
those of their own. oThey would be able
to tell the p. p. that education is a
state affair in Sweden; that the head of
the Swedish government is a. man of
unusual scientific and literary accom-
plishments, extensive learning, and ex-
traordinarily good common sense:
hence he is not apt to undertake the
education of the citizens of another
civilized nation; he knows enough to
take care Of his own business and let
others take care of theirs, something
which some other kings and potentates,
so dearly beloved by the P. p, have
yet to learn: They could also inform
the P. P. that there are already many
such students in this country, some even
in ST. Paul, who are doing good work
there, advancing the interest of the
city, in spite of the retrograde efforts
of the P. p. and it's adherents. Yes,
and they could tell that the ''ob-
fuscated" Swedish Americans send out
among the people every year more than
one thousand students from their own
institutions in this country; and if
these are not good enough to suit the
"NoEseland News editor, they could
further inform him that besides those
who study in the Swedish American
colleges and academies, there are
hundreds who study at American uni
versities or who are American univers-
ity graduates and who can speak both
Swedish and English. They are not
''obfuscated", are they?
Yes, we hope the Swedish students
will come and undertake the work
mentioned, and as special privilege,
besides his being entitled to it on ac-
count of this great need, the editor Of
the ''Norseland News" should have the
first chance; but we would warn him
not to show ''the students" his ''Norse-
land News" column, for they would then
consider him beyond the possibility OF
reclamation. j. S. @.