Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - X. The Importance of the Scandinavian Element—A Swede Elected Secretary of State in Minnesota—False Rumors of Indian Depredations—The Northern Pacific Railroad is Built—Trip to Philadelphia—The National Convention at Indianapolis—Delegation to Washington—A Swedish Colony in Mississippi Moved to Minnesota—The Second Voyage to Europe
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IS 116.2
Story of an Emigrant.
I therefore regard it of sufficient importance to quote it
here:
".Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention :
" Allow me to tender von my hearty thanks for the honor you have
conferred upon me by this nomination. I feel doubly gratified for the very large
majority you gave me. The time does not admit of any extensive
remarks upon my part, yet so much has been said lately regarding the
Scandinavian element, that the subject, perhaps, requires an explanation from
me; and, as the chosen representative of the Scandinavian people of this
state in the present campaign, I am authorized to express their views, and
I do so from a thorough knowledge of them. It is true that we have left
our beloved land; we have strewn the last flowers upon the graves of our
forefathers, and havecome here to stay,come here to live, and come hereto die.
We are not a clannish people, nor do we desire to build up a Scandinavian
nationality in your midst. You have known us here for many years; j’ou
have seen us come among you unacquainted with your language and your
customs, and yet 1 know that you will bear me witness how readily and
fraternally we have mingled with you, learned your language and adopted
your ways, and how naturally our children grow up as Americans, side by
side with yours. We have been cordially received in this great west by your
own pioneers, and have lieconie prosperous and happy. Yes, we love this
great country of freedom, and we wish to be and remain Americans."
Being elected a few weeks later by a large majority, I
assumed the duties of secretary of state 011 the 1st of
January, 1870. As secretary of state I was still a member
ex-otficio of the board of emigration, and had charge of all its
work and correspondence, which amounted often to a
hundred letters a day.
In the month of June following, rumor came to the capitol
of a new Indian outbreak 011 our western frontier. It was
said that Indians had come in the night and committed
depredations, and quite an alarm was caused all along the
frontier; the bloody massacre of 1862 was still fresh in the
memories of our people, and while the state authorities did
not believe this rumor, we deemed it necessary to take
measures at once for pacifying the people bv protecting the
frontier. Therefore I started out at once with several
hundred stand of arms, with ammunition and authority to
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