The New York herald., 1921-03-02
Mennonites as Farmers.
They Have Fine Record in This
Country and Europe.

To THE New YORK HERALD: 1t has
been reported from Washington that
tho colony OF Mennonites which pur-
poses to migrate from Canada to this
country and settle in Mississippi would
be barred from admission to the United
States.
These Canadian Mennoni;es are the
descendants Of German Mennoultes who
were induced to settle in Russia under
the promise OF exemption from military
service. When after many years the
Russian rulers made that pledge
scrap of paper a large body OF these
Mennonitcs went from Russia TO Canada
under a similar promise of exemption
from military service. Canada, follow
Ing the example OF Russia. II is said,
has now made a scrap of paper Of her
promise, and the deceived Nennonites
desire 70 come to the United States.
Tho Governor OF Mississippi with
much good sense has declared that the
Canadian Mennonites will not be de-
TERED, as far as he is concerned, from
coming into his state. NO doubt he
is familiar with the facts narrated by
the Louisiana historian and State Off
French blood. in regard to the impor-
tant settlement OF Germans on the Mis-
sissippi River. thirty miles from New
Orleans. In tho year 1923. First called
the German coast, these skiifll iarni-
ors made their section so productive
that the French called IL the Gold Coast.
They appear to have been the first set
tiers In Louisiana who were adapted
10 their environment. as they were GER
tainIy tho first to win from the soil the
smile OF abundant harvests.
II is recalled that the portion OF the
comparatively recent Mennonite immi-
grafton which settled IN Kansas late
In the last century had within few
years made their section ono OF the
greatest primary wheat markets In
America.
n "a better known that the German
Nennonites and similar peace sects who
scil,d III i.ancartor cuan,y, Ponnsyi-
ya,.in. made that ccurty lead all the
countics or sae Untea states In the
value OF It's agricultural products. A
rcY years aEo the Agricultural Bureau
M washington issued Circular advis-
in- tne farmers Of the country 70 visit
Lancaster county for the purpose q
studying the farming methods Of these
MennonItes and kindred religious peace
sects.
The most prosperous farms along the
foothills Of the Blue Ridge Mountains
IN virginia. few miles from Madison
Court House. are found in valley set
ued bv Germans about the time OF
Ouocp Anne OF England, and the sheriff
OF the county said few years ago that
criminal case had never come into
court from the valley.
The Cumberland valley In Maryland
and the Shenandoah valley in Virginia
hava long testified to the industry. THRIFT
and skill OF the German farmers who
settled in these valleys in tho eight
eer,h century. where they carried on
methods OF farming brought from Ger
many. They are the samo methods
which have enabled Germany or IN in
ferior soil 60 surpass England and %
/ loavo The United States far behind IN
the slze OF crop TO tho acre. Thomas
\ r,arlvle Ia his life or Frederick the
\ GREAT dw,Ils with admiration upon the
y as,ieuIt-eal outcome OF the Invitation
4 az Fre6cr'uEs fsther 70 10000 or
Y pressed pIogcssants In Salzburg GO gc
I to Prussia.
Historically the Mennonites have a
epocial interest as n ihe'~ teachings
both the Quakers ana tae Baptists fn6
| shcir origin Nenno simon. The Outer
roforner, whose name The Mennontef
-oo-. ara i'- ro'iN~sre hold that &c