The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-21
King Oscar 81 Sweden and the
Herald-The Independent Press -
the Aouthpiece OF the Threne.


The journalist is the knight Grant of modern
civilization, going wherever duty or danger
calls. One Of tho HEnALD's knights has been
to Sweden, where he stood with the ambassa-
doris of the other Powers, supped with the
royal family and had long audience with the
King. All that he saw and much Of what
was said he has written out in clear, trans
parent English, and we print it to-day in
''brev, double lead''-a higher distinction for
the journalist than patent of nobility.
That is quaint idea where our correspond
ent pictures himself as the representative of
great newspaper. standing an ambassador
among the ambassadors at the Court of
Sweden. If it were mere fancy we might
smile at its felicity and forget it. But it is
something more than the imagery Of skilled
writer; it is part of the new philosophy Of
modern life. The quaintness of the thought
and its felicity Of expression both lose them
selves in the background of the picture.
wherein is revealed a new allegory for nations,
the power of the press hanging like cloud
over royal banners and kingly thrones and
imperial crowns. Well might our correspond
ent, invited to the royal ball of King Oscar
H., pass far up in the royal palace at Stock
holm, through the long gallery where officers
moner people were crowded together, through
the smaller apartment, where the select nobility
were assembled to the Supreme Chamber where
the ambassadors to the Court were waiting
for the King. "There we STOOD" he says,
"Metternich, Blumenthal, Menebrea and all
the rest of u.s. Standing there he was, in
deed, an ambassador like the others-an
ambassador whom emperors and kings and
presidents could not fail to welcome, for he
represented power greater even than that
which names and receives ambassadors-the
power which speaks for the people and makes
and unmakes empires and kingdoms and re-
publcs.
1t is seldom that newspaper publishes
more striking or interesting letter than the
story Of our Stockholm correspondent in to-
days HERALD. It comes out of the long
Winter of commonplace like Swedish Sum-
mer sun. If it touches all the springs of hui
man curiosity it also gratifes the imagination
Swedish lords and ladies swarm around us as
we read, for we have found a country where
rank goes begging and where the department
clerk walks before his chief in the professions
of the King. As the Swedish Winter stares at
us out OF the darkness we get a new ideal of
homelike comforts and household garniture
Wherever we turn we see the country of Gus
tavus Adolphus, but it is the country Of the
fierce old viking refined by modern thought
and ruled by q new dynasty firmly seated on
the ancient throne. Oscar H., the grandson Of
Bernadotte, and on his mothers side the
grandson also of Prince Eugene, the son of
Josephine, is all that now remains of royal
testimony to Napoleonic power. Fortunately
for the Swedes, whose King he is, he seems a
glorious monarch for happy and contented
people. Our correspondent draws his portrait
with tender touch but king so quick to
recognize the quality Of his ambassadors, so
ready to welcome the ambassador Of a great
newspaper, SO free to talk and so wise of
speech, evidently deserves to be sketched for
the worlds sight by kind, an appreciative
and skilful hand.
Oscar H., King of Sweden and Norway, is
remarkable man. Sailor soldier, historian,
musician, poet prince and king-he is more
than these; for he is wise father and an
earnest and indulgent ruler. He speaks of
his son, the heir to his throne. as proud
parent but not as typical ruler. "He is q
bright boy" said the King to our correspond
ent, sand hope you liked him." Of Napo-
leon LII. he spoke with kindness and fervor, but
not with rashness or hyperbole. Upon Euro
pean affairs generally he talks like an intelli-
gent gentleman, well-informed minister and
great king. But it is in regard to American
matters, as rule so thoroughly misappre
hended at Continental courts, that he shows
the extent and variety Of his knowledge. ~
would desire to see California" he said, if he
visited America. "And most Of my good
fellow countrymen are in the far West-in
Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, if remember
the names. could not 60 without seeing
them and spending some time with them"
There is an exactness Of knowledge in this
that some European geographers might envy,
and certain English, French and German
information worth acquiring before speaking
or attempting to speak of America. In regard
to Indian affairs the Kings knowledge is sur
prising, and it is even more surprising that he
only regrets that the determination of the
savages is apparently necessary and inevitable.
Il have hoped all along" he said, "that
General Grant would succeed in inducing the
Indian tribes to adopt an agricultural, civil
lied life. That would be o noble solution of
welcome; but it seems the only consequences
Of civilization to your Indians have been the
painful consequences-disease and intemper-
u Eor NJ Dr. ha ll,rf tho