Our Bohemian Population

              OUR  150HEMIAN POPULATION. 150
OUR BOHEMIAN POPULATION
BY  J.   J.  VLAGH.
The chief causes for Bohemian emigration to this country are common to all other industrial countries of Europe. Polit¬ ical oppression, militarism',- low wag^, overcrowded labor mar¬ kets, the prospect of improving their material condition, and tlie love of liberty—such are the causes which bring foreign set¬ tlers to this country. Bohemian emigration did not begin as early as in other countries, although a numiber of Bohemian and Moravian families migrated to the American colonies after the defeat of White Mountain in 1620; history, mentions them as fighting for American independence. After that the Bohe¬ mian emigration was very limited, and hardly noticeable until it was revived in 1848; but today there are in the United States over half a million of Bohemians, over 50,000' of whom- made their ho'mes in this state.
The Bohemians do not come here with the intention of amass¬ ing riches and then returning tO' the old country; they come here to stay. When they come to ximerica they are not different from the inuuigrants of other cou.ntries. They bring with them the customs and habits of their native land; they remember with sadness and pride their old homes; but none the less do they love and cherish their new homes, and are always ready aii'd willing to offer tlieir lives and goods wheaiever this coun¬ try is in need of them. Many a Bohemian fell fighting under the is^ars and stripes during our late War of Secession; m'any a
'¦Address delivered before the Wisconsin state historical convention at Milwaukee, Oct 11, 1901.