The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-15
A NEW SWEDEN IN FACT.
Meaning OF . Proposed Prefesssrship
ct Augustsna College.

Meaning OF . Proposed Professionally
at Augustsna College.
A movement has been started, or rather
renewed, in Sweden to raise fund for the
endowment Of . professorship OF natural
science at the Augustana College at Rock
Island, H.. which Is the principal institution
for higher instruction conducted BY the
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Augustana
Synod Of America.
The synod In the largest and most influon-
tial organization formed by the Swedes In
this country for any purpose. religious or
secular. 1t has three excellent colleges
and q number OF schools and seminaries,
but no university.
Il has long been the hope Of the leading
men In the synod to see Aug'istana College
equipped a. q complete modern university
and recognized a. such. One Of the most
energetic workers for this idea Ia the young
president Of the college. Prof Gustav An
dreen. who In visiting Sweden just now
for tho purpose Of delivering the sum Of
$4,000 contributed by the Swedes Of this
country toward the support Of the famine
sufferers In the northernmost part Of
Sweden.
The propoeit to raise the endowment
fund was first made In 1901 and received Al
once the hearty approval Of q number OF
Sweden's foremost men and women. The
movement Is GUSTAV Fredrik Gillian, Chan
cellor Of the Swedish Universities. The
offer Of the fund was originally made to
the synod on the condition that Tmultane-
ously another fund should be raised In this
chairs devoted to Scandinavian languages
and church history
The rapidly approaching fulhlment Of
that condition In conjunction With Prof.
Andreens presence In Sweden has given
a new impetus to the movement. and the
proposed PROFESSIONALLY. which is to be
named after King Oscar. will be an estab-
lished fact before the beginning Of the next
The event win get its principal 1SGcsnS g
the wholly changed attitude OF mind. on
the part Of the Swedish nation toward its
representatives In this country. The latter
used to be regarded and treated al prodiga!
renewed recognition Of common kinsfip
was held out II they would see the error OF
their ways and return TO the peternal roof.
The Swedes on this side Of the ocean have
had to mako IL clear moro than once TO their
stay-at-home brethren that they would
not brook being treated as runaway chill
dren. but that they wanted to be met a.
men and women who had gone thesr own
way kno wingly and entertained no regrets
or thoughts OF turning back. 1t took them
years to make those In the old country
accept the fact that the emigrants had
chosen their new country for better or
worse and meant to live and die a. citizens
Of IL.
There IL no doubt that the last decade
has witnessed q marked reunion between
the two groups Of the nation, the one at
home and the one here. But this does not
mean that the Swedes here have been grow
ing less radically American In their views
and sentiments,
It means on the contrary that their demand
for recognition a. Americans Of Swedish
descent, and not as Swedes. has been
granted at last ON the other side. 1t means
that the Swedish Government and the
Swedish people. instead OF nurHn& futile
hopes of bringing back the stTayed children,
have begun to look to the Swedish settle
ments in this country As . kind OF New
Sweden-a realization In new form OF the
idea which caused Gustavus Adolphus to
send his subjects to the shores Of Delaware
to found q colony Of that name. And they
are beginning to imagine over there that
perhaps one day the New Sweden will be
greater and more populous and moro pros
porous than the old one.