Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-09
COUP D'GIL OF EUROPE. !"
To the Editor Of the Londo" Morning Chronic

Pans, Nov. 9, 1881.
SrR-Let US continue our view, aud endeavor
10 understand the position Of Europe at the close
of the year 1881.
Norway will only merit a passing word. a
million of inhabitants are the most we can assign
to it-and this is more an affair of guess than VI
data or fact Norway is blessed with particu-
lar code called the Norway Law. complied by
Grieffelseld, at tine command OF Christian V. OF
Denmark, the great legislator OF his country
By this law peasants are free. few only except
ell on some noble estates near Frederickstad. bnt
these peasants now ask for liberty, and must OBJ
tain it, The Norwegian peasants possess much
spirit and 6re--they are frank, open, and un-
dauuted. They never fawn to their superlors,
and will not submit to oppression. Amidst the
Grand and sublime scenery of the southern dis
tricls of Norway, The bold and daring mountain
ver preserve his independence, and, like the
Swiss. whom they resemble. they cling to their
rocks, and are animated by patriotism the most
pure and ardent. United TO Denmark until the
Treaty of 1914, it was then transferred to Swe-
den. 10 be holden as an integral state under
Stakeholder. The history Of Norway is not void
of Interest,"; and although from its geographical
position il has made less progress in the arts and
ci,lnzaliOn than either Sweden or Denmark, vet
the late events in Europe nave excited great
interest at Christiana and Bergen; and the Nor.
weg,ans have demanded many general and local
improvements. In some districts the peasants
have risen to shake off The chains at vassalage
which bound them 10 the,r Lords; and the French
Revolution of 1880 will lead to the further anne.
iiora,,on of their condition.
Sweden contains a population OF about three
millions. 1t is divided into four general states,
and each of these is subi!vidcd into PROVINCES
Sweden. before the accession ct GnStavus was
an elective monarchy. By the union OF Caim.r
in 1897. il was stipulated that the same monarch
(therr was always a Holy Alliance III Europe.
YOU perc eve, to divide the people like goa's!D
should rule over Denmark. Sweden and NORWAY;
and hence Sweden became a tributary hnsdrm
to Denmark. From this state OF sutjrciion 1t
vas rescued b, Gustsvus Fasa! of immortal me-
mory. on whom The Swedes, in the beginning OF
The 9th century. conferred the Sovereignty, ard
made III. Grown hereditary. descending to his
mae issue. Gusta,us Vasa was great Revolu-
tiolisi. and afterwards distinguished Sewer.
eign He was entrusted with nearly unbounded
prercoa'yes, and these were. it possible. arg-
menled b. Gustavus Adnlphus. the right Of sue
cession being then extended IN the female line
L. the minority Of his daughter ChristIana. the
Noble, acquired such an exOrDitant authority.
that the Gle, gv. citizens, and peasants resolved
on shaking of the yoke. Always contest be-
tween power and Justice. as well 10 Sweden a.
elsewhere, but happily in the end justice gene
rally triumphs. This proved tfN"raOIe opp"r
tuuiiy for Charles XI. 10 obtain formal ce,si"i
Of a,solsl,e sr.eTeieniY, Shich guiSfly ''rvr's"d
on lis >on, the famed Charles XII. Of Sweden
On his death. the Swedgs conferred the Thron,
on his sister Ubrica. bu, with prerosanses m"s'
limi,ed--and she resigned the Crown to her cou
sot Frederick. Sweden has supplied an adml-
rable example in all times of the preservation OF
the principle Of the :. sovereignty ct the people
and when the VI ,narchs who have been elected
have turued out refractory Or anti national, they
have generally beer got rid Of From this Pc
riud The Swedish Monarch was the most limited
one in Europe till l772, when Gustavos Ill. ell
fecteh a Revolution, by which he regained tor
momrn, The absolute Royal prerogatives. But in
1892 he was assassinated. leaving his son Gusta-
vus A,lolphus, minor, who attained his majority
in 1896.
In 1909 another revolution took place-the
King and his family were deposed, and his uncle
Charles raised To the Throne, and the Govern
meut declared to be monarchical and hereditary.
with Limitation TO the male issue, and on failure
the Diet to choose successor. Charlie Kill
having NO issue, the Diet in 1910 elected Prince
Augustenburg. who died in 1871; when it elect
ed Bernado,te TO be Grown Prince, who on adopt
ing Lutheran religion, assumed the baptlsma de.
siynation of Charles John, and succeeded to the
throne without the least opposition in 1873
Charles john still reigns: he is old and lnfrm.
but beloved and respected. He has been court
ed BY England. flattered by France, and 1eazed
and tornented by Russia. The Court Ut ST. Pc
! tersburgh wishes to detach Sweden IRON both
Great Btan and France, and on the death OF
, the presen, Kim will most probably renew the
intriguesvwith the Diet tn secure new changes
and obtain the election of Prince favorable to
Russian riews. In Sweden. during the last few
years civilization has made considerable progress
The peo,ta are sovereign. Their will Is law;
and many alterations would now BE- demanded
aud Effected but from desire very generally felt
TO alioss matters to remain in their present state
uniil after the decease oi the reigning Monarch.
The revolution Of july. 1850. has, however, had
its beneficis influence at the-Cou nf Stockholm,
aud many local and general measures have been
adopted by the Government. which would not
otherwise have been acceded to- In af'w years
we NAV expect to witness further changes in the
Goyeeoment and institutions nf that country