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CHAPTER XXIX.
The Canses of Immigration—American Influence on Europe, and ["specially
011 Sweden—The Condition of the Swedes in America—American
Characteristics—Antipathy against Foreigners—The Swedish Press on America
—American Heiresses.
Much has been said on the causes of immigration. These
are numerous, but the chief cause I have found to be that the
people of the old world are now being aroused to the fact
that the social conditions of Europe, with its aristocracy and
other inherited privileges, are not founded on just
principles, but that the way to success ought to be equally open
for all, and determined, not b}’ privileges of birth, but by the
inherent worth of man. And here in America is found a
civilization which is, to a large extent, built on equality and the
recognition of personal merit. This and the great natural
resources of the country, the prospects for good wages which
a new continent affords, and in many cases greater religious
liberty, draws the people of Europe, at any rate from Sweden,
to this country.
Sweden is a very good country, but more especially so for
those who are fortunate enough to be born to title,
honor or riches. To be sure, even there instances arc known of
men from the ordinary walks of life making their way to
wealth and prominence; but those are exceptions, possible
only in cases of unusually great personal merit. Here, on
the other hand, the reverse is the rule; the self-made manac-
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