Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-10-15

spoke of the sturdiness of the Swed-
ish character. of the place occupied in
the life of this country by his people,
and of the loyal support of his coun-
trymen to the laws and government of
the land of which they are now citi-
zens.
Capt. Harper's Address.
Captain Harper, who has always
been a warm friend of the Swedish
people, was present and was invited
to address the club. He said in part:
l am pleased to meet my Swedish
friends here under the folds of the
star spangled banner and the flag of
Sweden.
The Scandinavians occupy a unique
position among the great peoples of
the world. A long time ago, in the
misty past, perhaps before Christ was
born at Bethlehem, a section of the
Teutonic race pressed forward into
the Northland. They increased and
multiplied, became strong and rugged,
and sent out many expeditions to the
northern coasts of Europe 1t is be.
lieved by many that these hardy
Norsemen discovered America long
before Columbus sailed from Genoa
on his expedition of discovery. This
courageous people was never conquer
ed, no foreign colonies We're ever
planted in their country, they are to-
day the pure and unauthorized de-
scendants of the Teutonic race.
The Swedish people have much to be
proud of in the history of their coun-
| try. You are proud of Gustavus Vasa
and Gustayus Adolphus, eminent rul-
ers, statesmen and military leaders.
whose names have been written On the
worlds scroll of fame. You are proud
of Dalin and Bellman distinguished
writer's. You are proud of Ole Bull
and Jennie Lind, world-famed must
clans; you are proud of John Ericsson,
the great inventor, the inventor of the
Monitor. which had SO much to do in
the suppression Of the great Ameri-
can rebellion.
During the present summer, w. E.
Curtis. correspondent of the Chicago
Record-Herald. has been travelling in
Norway and Sweden. He has been
writing his observations to that pour
nal. have been very much interested
in reading these letters. Mr.. Curtis is
a fair, unprejudiced man. He does
not praise when praise is not deserved.
He does not criticize unless criticism
is neeuea. ne writes iacts ana states
the truth.
Mr. Curtis says of the Swedish peo-
pie that they are religious, indus
trious, honest, straightforward and
hospitable people. They are very
courteous and kind to strangers, never
deceiving them or in any way taking
them in or overcharging them for SER
vices. He says that these people are
happy and contented; that they live
well and dress comfortably. He says
there are no idlers. no loafers, no
drunkards and no drones. They are all
workers and helpers. Great crimes
are unknown among this people. Prop
erty left anywhere will be undisturbed.
1t is not necessary to lock your doors
or put your goods under lock and key.
He says OF the women of Sweden
that they are noble, free and strong.
That more avocations are open to them
than to the women of any other coun-
try in the world; that they have more
influence in the home, in the church,
in the education of the young, and in
mo1ding public opinion, than the wo-
men OF any other land.
The people of Sweden are more uni
versally educated than in any other
country. Only two-tenths of one per
cent of the adult population are unable
to read and write. That means only
one in five hundred of the adult popl.
lation, or three or four of the adult
people i ma town of population OF
5000. This is a better showing than
we can make in Iowa, or in any other
state in the IInion
There are 100000 Swedish people
in the United States, and there are
more in the city of Chicago than i,
any city in Sweden except Stockholm