The New York herald., 1872-10-22

Sentiments OF Swedish and N0rWegian
suh5ects I'm New York Regarding tho
New Sovereign OF scandinavla-The
Oath OF Allegiance 20 the Successor or
ssthe Madmsn or the North"-The Royal
Rights and Restrictions-Kingly Insig-
niflcance and Popular Indifference.
The once OF the Scandinavian Consul. No. Is Ex-
change place, yesterday quiet as usual, not
withstandng the Invitation published in the adver-
tsing columns OF the morning press to all citizens
OF the Morse Peninsula to subscribe to the oath Of
allegiance to the new King, Oscar the Second. Mr..
Youngberg, the chief clerk OF the Consulate, said
that there had been four or Ave visits during the
day from those OF his countrymen who wished to
take the loyal obligation, but these persons were
led there by other business, and not specially by
that object. They are captains Of Norwegian ves-
sells now lying in this port and sailing under the
colors OF Norway.
Mr.. Youngberg explained to visitor from the
HERALD establishment that the object Of the ad-
minstration OF the oath here was by no means to
entice Norwegans and Swedes who had the inten-
tion OF becoming or are already American citizens
into perpetuating their subjection to the royal
house OF Bernadotte. On the contrary, Mr.. Young
berg who has himself been naturalized, belongs to
party who desire to modify the existing constitu
ti0n 0fN0rway, which Is already second only that
OF England III the freedom which IL guarantees TO the
people. He represents In this respect large class
OF intelligent and cultured men. who look forward
to the speedy separation OF Church and State, and
that this reform must soon be accomplished.
Mr.. Christian B0rs, the Consul, very courte-
ously reviewed the position and prospects or the
new incumbent OF the throne OF Sweden and Nor
way and the feeling, OF the people towards their
hereditary head. They entertained little venera-
OF the superstitioIs reverence which the Kaiser
exacts from his subjects. The same individual in
dependence Of thought exists in the person Of
every citizen that had grown into such q puissant
combination OF sentiment when in 1909, the
despotic and ianatical Adophus the Fourth was COM
PEELED TO abdcate by the united voice OF the States.
BY the Scandinavians ut present temporarily stay
ing IN America there was no enthusiasm over the
OF the oS II IS
noas Rt q, It o mas 50 w; often e o been n in history
event was attended by ON ne tse nea
of the subjects Of the late Charles the Fifteenth,
as Il 1t concerned very little the interests OF the
nation. This is in fact the real truth OF the mat
ter The King Is only nominally ruler. His pow
ers are scarcely as great as those Of the President
present strange anomaly. Yhe constitution Of
Norway, splendid historic document, reads In
one OF its first sections thus:-'La personne du
R0i est sacree II ne peut etre nj blame nj accuse
Son cOnseil est responsible de son government"
The Kings person Is sacred, and he cannot be ac.
sible for his government. The oath which he takes
on his coronation In the Cathedral OF Drontheim Is
as restrictive as 1t Is explicit:-Je jure par Dieu
Norvege commencement go constitution ct ses
lois"
'.It will be seen,n continued the Consul, show
little importance attaches to the person OF the
King, aud tnat the portion OF the constitution
which ascribes to him superstitious sacredness is
merely happy device by which the government is
entirely taken from his shoulders and placed upon
those Of the ministers Of the State The people look
upon him with only the same degree OF respect
which the Chief Magistrate OF this country receives
in his official capacity. 1t can be easily under
Stood therefore, that the subscription to this oath
OF allegiance is merely matter Of con.
nag is secured by all who are travelling
abroad and do not intend to relinqush
their citizenship In their native country. We
do not invite any who have become naturalized
since their emigration or who intend to remain
here permanently TO perform this act, and, indeed,
IT is not obligatory upon the subjects OF the King,
there being no penalty In the law for Its omission.
1t Is merely an act OF conformation to one OF those
old laws Of the realm that were not repealed at the
time OF the revolution aud has little political sig
nificance..
About forty scandinavian vessels are now in port,
and the seamen on board these are expected TO
take the prescribed oath from Mr. Bors before they
sail for their home. A greater number OF visitors
may therefore be expected at the Consulate to-day