. Reminiscences; the story of an emigrant. rm to the left. The platforms were decorated with numerous society ban-ners, and the colors of Sweden were seen everywhere. Thelofty pillars reaching to the roof w^ere wrapped in alternatestripes of blue and yellow, the national colors of Sweden,and side by side and uppermost were the stars and large picture of the old Swedes Church in Wilmington,Delaware, built in 1698, was himg in front of the speakersplatform, and attracted general attention. As chairman of the committee of arrangements I had thehonor to act as presiding officer of the da
. Reminiscences; the story of an emigrant. rm to the left. The platforms were decorated with numerous society ban-ners, and the colors of Sweden were seen everywhere. Thelofty pillars reaching to the roof w^ere wrapped in alternatestripes of blue and yellow, the national colors of Sweden,and side by side and uppermost were the stars and large picture of the old Swedes Church in Wilmington,Delaware, built in 1698, was himg in front of the speakersplatform, and attracted general attention. As chairman of the committee of arrangements I had thehonor to act as presiding officer of the day. The govern-ment of Sweden was represented by Consul Sahlgaard, withother distinguished guests, and the historical society of 294 Stukv 01- AS Eaixgka\t. Delaware by Maj. Geo. Q. White. As near as can be esti-mated there were fully fifteen thousand people present,and the interest manifested by that vast audience can bestbe understood from the fact that thousands stood upontheir feet during the whole proceedings, which lasted OLD SWKDES CHURCH AT WILMINGTON. The festivities commenced at two oclock in the afternoonwith a musical selection b^^ Cappas band, at the close ofwdiich the audience was welcomed by myself in the follow-ing words: The discovery of America was the greatest event \\rhich had taken placefrom the days of Christ till it was made^ but the settlement of Americaby the right kind of people was, in its beneficial effects upon thehumanrace,a matter of still greater importance. It seems like an order of Divine Prov-idence that this new world was left in its natural or savage state duringall the dark centurit s of schooling and experiments in Asia, Africa and Eu-rope, in order that it might remain a virgin soil for the higher civilizationwhich was to follow. To establish this civilization, based upon true principles of government Story of an Emigrant. 295 required not only wisdom and strength, but toleration, brotherhood, jus-tice and exalted virtue. The
Size: 1976px × 1265px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookidreminiscence, bookyear1892
