Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-10-25
SWEDEN AND NORWAY.

elevated to the throne. The new ming
earned the reputation OF an intelligent,
virtuous Prince, when oil the imperial
seat, and will doubtless leave the purple
robe of supreme command spOtless 10 his
successor. King Oscar rules over two VA
tions. His sceptrc stretches over two
kingdoms. He is the head OF Sweden and
Norway, which are united under a heredl-
tary and constitutional monarchy. The
succession to the throne is limited to the
male line Of the royal family. Females
are positively prohibited from meddllng
with governmental affairs in this part OF
Europe The ruler Of Sweden and Nor
way cannot exercise his choice as to the
matter Of religious belief. That is fixed
and determined by law, as it is in Eng
land, and other European countries. The
King of Norway and Sweden must be a
Lutheran; that is Indispensable as loyalty
to the occupant of the throne. In the in
terpretatiOn and administration of the
laws, the King is assisted by o royal coun-
ell of ten eminent citizens. This council
embraces three plivy councillors, and the
ministers Of justice, war, marine, finance,
religion, foreign and Internal affairs. The
diet, or parliament, is composed OF four
chambers, representing four estates-the
mobiles, clergy, burghers and peasants, each
OF which has its own hall Of assembly, and
conducts it's deliberations without regard
to the others. The regular sessions Of the
diet occur once III three years, but it may
be called together oftener if necessary.
The sessions usually extend over a period
of three or four months. The king has
the power of absolute veto Of all lcsisla
tive acts, but this is cOunter-balanced by
the right Of each chamber to appoint
boards Of control and supervision, the
duties of which are to keep a careful eye
upon the proceedings ofthe Supreme Courts
Of justice, regulate the national banks, the
liberty Of the press, the public debt, the
public treasury, and in shOlt nearly every
Department Of domestic government.
Owing to the Inconvenience OF this system
in some respects, several important changes
we're made in 1866, and this Diet now
more nearly resembles the British Parlia.
ment Of Lords and Commons. None but
believers in the Lutheran faith can hold
office in Sweden, and citizens who aban-
don this form Of worship and adopt an
other are punished by the forfeiture OF
certain privileges in the Kingdom. Sweden
maintains a standing amy OF 100000 men
under a peculiar system. Most OF til e
soldiers are supported and maintained 1T
the cost Of the landed prOprietOrs, AID re-
side on their estates, III dwellings provided
for them by said proprietOrs. In return
for this maintenance, the soldiers, in time
of peace, serve in the capacity of farm
laborers, except during the annual drill
season of four weeks. The balance Of the
elm, D UUI4 posed UI volunteers, who serve
for six years, and besides this every SWcde
between the ages OF twenty and twenty-five
is obliged to join the National Guard, One
hundred and seventy-onC vessels constitute
the Swedish navy, which is differed by
appointees OF the crown, and considered
quite efficient.
The local administration of Norway is
based upon a constitution adopted in 1919
The legislative chamber Of the kingdom
holds triennial sessions. 1t is composed OF
members chosen by the freehold voters OF
the several districtS-every male NOrWe-
gian who has attained the age Of twenty
five years, and owns property to the amount
of $50, being entitled to the right of sui
! frage. The Legislature assesses all the
taxes, which are collected by royal officers,
and the laws enacted by it must be rati-
fed by the King. If, however, any Ia : is
passed by the legislature three times, il
becomes valid without the assent of the
crown. Norway and Sweden are united
so far as the Sovereign, foreign policy a,.d
diplomacy are concerned; but outside u
these the former is an Independent State
| with the exclusive control OF its own affairs
lac AlllS Is CCLI1lttuuci -lii-CIll6I Ol tllt
| Norwegian army and navy, but lie cannot
! increase or diminish either without tie
! consent Of the Council Of State, which COZ.
i sists OF Norwegians only. No foreign
| troops can he brought into Norway except
! in time OF war, nor can native troops be
! sent out OF the country unless in similar
| emergency. There are certain State right:
| held sacred i'll Norway. These they will moi
! allow even the King to violate. The con
| stitution of Norway looks t, the tota
extinction of class privileges III that State
| 1t provides that no one can Dc confirmed
| independent of the tenure Of office, and nc
! one can be raised to the rank CT noble
| With the death OF the last representative O
the fifteen noble families now eXistin5-;Ilt
members of which We've born previous tC
| IS21-every fern Of hei editary aristocracy
! will cease. and every man stand upon lis
! individual record ia the community. There
! is but small army and layy maintained
| by Norway, and the people are not taxed
! to keep up a military force.
! These are tie nations over which King
| Oscar is called to Fresi,ie. Much attention
| has been paid to popular education III bVtl
! countries, and the people are intelligent
| and peac 4ful. They are attached to The
ruling family, and " i'll second all effort
| put forth b. the new monarch 10 improve
| the condition. Of his kingdCm. Ii peace
! continues to prevail in this part # Europe
the advance Of Sweden and Norway vii
! be rapid in all matters that relate TO art
| manufactures and agriculture. / he people
| have caught the progressive spirit Of the
age, and are moving il the right direction
with steady steps. King Oscar mounts
the throne at an auspicious moment, aud
his name may be associated with the
golden age in the history of Sweden and