Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XXIX. The Causes of Immigration—American Influence on Europe, and Especially on Sweden—The Condition of the Swedes in America—American Characteristics—Antipathy against Foreigners—The Swedish Press on America—American Heiresses
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
Story of an Emigrant.
2g3
provided }tou prove as competent and meritorious as one
of them."
I have often heard Europeans wonder how it is that with
such a democratic spirit so many American heiresses seem
anxious to marry European noblemen. But it should be
remembered in the first place that there are not man}’, but
comparatively only a few who manifest this desire, and also that
those few by no means represent public opinion here. On
the other hand, is it not quite natural that when European
gentlemen of the highest classes meet and get acquainted
with American girls, their social and intellectual equals, that
a mutual attachment may in most cases be the true motive
for such alliances? For, as the grand Lincoln remarked,
when the European nobleman possesses all other requisite
qualifications his titles are no barrier to his success, either in
the army, in business affairs, or with the fair sex. Old
names and titles are usually a guaranty of good education,
culture, and other praiseworthy acquisitions.
In my contact with the world and with men of different
peoples and races, I have found that it is unjust to judge them
by nations or classes, as if one nation or one class were
necessarily better or worse than others, for there are both
good and bad characters among all, and a good man is
just as good, and a bad one just as bad, whether he be
Hindoo, Mohammedan, or Christian, American or Swede,
nobleman or peasant. Much good may be hidden under a
coarse and common exterior, and Ave must not search for
aTirtue only among the accomplished, the rich, and the
fine-looking. Just as much, indeed, isfound amongthelowlv and
unobserved; and in the quiet, humble daily Avalks of life are
constantly enacted deeds of heroism and virtue which are
never knoAArn or applauded by the world, though fully as cle*
serving as many of those, which are given an honored place
in the annals of history; yes, often much more so.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
