Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1905-04-21
SWEDfS IN AMERICA
F. w. Lonesrsn Tells Of
Their ACCOMPLISH
mentS


ments
A banquet was given at Duluth Fri.
day evening last week in honor of
COL G. q. Graves, recently appointed
minister to Sweden and Norway.
Among the speakers was F. W. Lone.
gren, formerly of this city. MIR.
LoneRren responded to the toast,
"Swedes In America and the Du-
luth Herald gives synopsis Of his ad-
dress.
He said that Col. Gra-es would
hardly 60 to Stockholm az stranger
in strange land. for coming from
Minnesota, state with 400. 900 Scan
dinavians within her borders, he
would be acquainted. to more Or less
extent, with the manners aud customs
of the people. although the lives, in
terests and opportunities of the
Swedes and Norwegians in this coun-
try are closely allied and very SINH
lar to those of the native American.
The speaker dwelt upon the occa.
sion when the Swedes first set foot
upon American soil, and told of the
establishment of country called New
Sweden on the banks of the Delaware
river. This colony lasted only seven.
teen years. but its marks are still to
be seen In Delaware and surrounding
states. Descendants of these early
residents are today and always have
been among the most honored and
prominent residents of that eastern
group of states The defendants Of
New Sweden have played an import
ant part in American history. They
have always fought as gallantly and
bravely for their adopted country as
if they were battling for independ
ence across the sea Mr.. Lonegren
mentioned several great men Of Swed-
ish parentage who had had much to
do with the making of history Of this
country, and in this class gave the
name of John Ericsson, the inventor
and builder of the famous little war
craft the Monitor.
Of late years immigration from
Sweden to the United States has been
heavy, until now there are more than
1000, 600 people of Swedish desc ent
who recognize this country az their
home. The reason for the bic immi-
grafton is easily explained. said the
speaker. Sweden is not rich ccun-
try, and it is difficult for the poor
man to obtain land there It is no
wonder then, in view of this fact,
that thousands of them gladly seize
the opportunity to come to America
and settle upon part Of the millions
of acres Of rich land offered free to
settlers by the government With his
honest toll, economy and thrift the
Scandinavian has converted vast
stretches of American wilderness into
prosperous farms and communities,
with g happy and contented people.
They nave helped to build cities, e.
tablished educational institutions, and
have taken an active and honest part
in the able administration Of affairs
of towns, states and tbs nation. They
have shed blood OF the field of battle
in freedoms Gauss, said Mr.. Lone
gren.
I'VE love America and American
institute )ns, ne concluded. THE
Swedish American feels that the bless
ings he enjoys are not granted as ia
vors but are his right Of moral and
civil endeavor He took possession of
the wilderness, and as pioneer in
the work of development, through a
long period of suffering and hardship,
he has earned all that he possesses.
he EXPRESSED the wish that Col.
4iraves might enjoy all the blessings
Sweden and Norway have to bestow.
POSTAL AUTHORITIES FIGURING
ON NEW POSTAL RATE.
The postofice department is coneid-
ering the advissbility of making a
new special rate OF postage on fourth
class matter for rural rou1es says the
Hubbard County Clipper. 1t is about
8 cents per pound, with packages
limited to pounds. This il to accom-
modate rural patrons In ordering pro-
ceries and other merchandise from
their home merchants, the rate only
applying to patrons Of the town from
which the route starts. The idea is
that if the farmer telephones in for q
pound Of coffee from merchant the
latter could send it to the postoff1ce
and have the rural carrier deliver it
for cents, instead of 16 cents as at
present The proposed rate should net
TI~'~'~HA-F