Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-12-30
The NorwegIans-Vhy They are Re
publicans.

America keeps school for the world. =
The door is open to al. We seek to
make self reliant, loyal citizens of those
who come TO us from over the sea. We
offer them fair chance In life and ex-
pect them to become active missionaries
of Freedom. and anxious to give all who
live under our flag fair chance. Some
are more easily educated than others,
and If they cannot themselves enjoy GER
tain privileges, are careful that their chill
dren shall be improved by our schools,
books, political meetings, newspapers,
lectures. and other means of enlghten-
ment. They evince sincere desire to
become Americanized. The Norwegians
belong to this class. They easily learn
our language and comprehend the spirit
of our institutions, SO as to quickly adapt
themselves to their changed condition.
1t is not difficult to prove that they are
related to many who claim the best Eng
lish and Scotch blood, if we needed proof
beyond some physical and mental char
acteristics.
We do not caro- to push historical en-
quiry as to what became of the petty
kings that HAROLD HARFAGER drove out
of Norway, nor speculate concerning the
fate Of those who were exiled when the
"Union of Calmar" was framed, nearly
five centuries since. The present condi-
ton of the Norwegian branch of the fam
ily is of more immediate Importance
We find that 1t IS thriving. Norway con-
tains over |, ZOO 600 inhabitants anI has
IN area of l20,295 sqr. miles. Christi
ania, the chief city. had in 1865, 65, 5l3
inhabitants. Norway is essentially an
agricultural and pastoral country. The
number of inhabitants in towns, in 1865,
numbered 2z2,53l. The constitution of
Norway, proclaimed in lSl4, is one of
the most democratic in Europe. The
whole legislative and part Of the execu-
tive power is IN the hands of the sOyer-
eign people. The Storthmg, or Con
gress. Is composed of members elected by
the people. This Lower House appoints
one fourth from their own number which
constitute the Upper House, correspon-
ding to our Senate. The King can We
to bis. but the Storthing can pass laws
over his veto. The Lutheran religion
is almost universal. The people are care
fully instructed IL religious matters and
every parish has its school. Most of the
people can read aad write. and the larger
towns have Institutions of learning for
advanced scholars, while Christiania con
81 hr-n rlx- n
thousand students.
AS to the productive capacity of the
country, we find that the imports in 1866
amounted to 500 900, 600 and the ex-
ports to more than Sl7,OOO,OOO. Con-
sidering its population, Norway has the
largest commercial navy in the world =
She has $3.50 vessels, and employs 80,
066 seamen.
We see, then, why the Norwegisns
are thrifty, energetic, freedom loving
people. They are inspired by their re
ligious teachings. They are followers oil
MARTIN LUTHER. They understand the
power of the ballot, as they elect men %
make their own laws, They have schools
They are familiar with the hardships of
getting living, in a rigorous climate,
and their struggles with ocean tempests
and the rough moods of nature make
them self reliant.
The Norwegians who have come to
this country are nearly all, Republican in
politics. They voted the Democratic
ticket formerly but it was under the i'm
preston that the word democratic, as APP
piled to the party, meant what the die
tionary said it meant. When they
learned that the Democrats favored sa-
very they left them, and have been firm
supporters of the Republican party ever
since-in war and peace.
While we are true to to our pr:nci.
pies, the Ncrwegiaus will be true to Us
in our endeavors to give equal rights 20
all men, snd extend the blessings of ed.
ucatiOn throughout the land.-State
Journal