The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1884-06-04
Norwny's Struggle

Enron GzzErrE:-Having seen Farions
articles regarding the political affairs in Nor
wav appear in the Honolulu papers OF iates
would fam contribute towards giving to you
and your readers a better insight IN the state
Of things by sending you translation oil Inc
sInict,1nsn. . or manifesto issued BY King os-
rsr aftrr the sentence had been passed on his
Prime Minister BY the Supreme Court OF the
realm and hereby give You the snbJoIned trans
lation;
ssWbat nv predecessors on the throne Of the
kingdom Of Norway have declared, suisse
ouent to the decision Of the courts OF The realm
n 1877 and 1915, now most positively relt-
crate Nodecisicn Of the Supreme Court can be
admitted by me as decisive Interpretation OF
ne constitutional law nor involve any for me
or my successors 10 the slightest degree bind
ing precedent I then declare that l shall not
consider myself on any point or in any respect
restricted by the decision just pronouced, IN
ny right to rule the empire in future as hith-
erto with all the authority Justly due the hing
according to the Constitution.
As regards the important matter IN question
in the irst point Of the decision-the admis-
sion Of the Ministers into the Legislature
consider it especially necessary to assert that
the decision Of the Supreme Court cannot alb
rogate or change the hitherto accepted eonsti-
tulional arrangement, according 10 which NO
amendment in the Constitution can lie valid
without the sanction OF the King
On nv accession 10 the throne / swore TO
fhe Constitution as il had been understood by
a practice Of many years and was explained
and confirmed by the most competent men as
well as the Legislature itself, but did not
promise aud was by my oath prevented from
promising implicit submission TO every alter
alton in the Constitution effected by majority
in the Legislature, this would be nothing less
than abandoning the Constitutional position
accorded to royalty by the Constitution ltseli,
and which therefore the King OF Norway is
called upon to maintain and defend.
The duties incumbent on the King OF the
Union moreover demand with imperative ne
cessity that in every respect maintain mat
erecptiye mower which ouly can confirm TIE
Union existing between the empires. s9ch
task has been imposed upon the King OF the
Union bv the Constitution and mutual couven-
tion, and must be secured him by the inner
necessity Of the thing.
Both Kingdoms are equally privileged men,
hers Of the Union contracted by mutual ireewlll
and in legal form, but either Of the kingdoms are
also hound by this very Union and the hing as
their common representative has not only the
right but also the duty to watch that TINS con-
ven,ion i strictly kept. 1 therefore most pos
lively reject every party attack upon any OF
the guarantees Of the Union, and one OF lie
most important among these guarantees lies in
the Kings unrestricted right Of sanetionlng VI
yetoipc amendments Of the Constitution, IN one
Kingdom as in the other.
Every society must be built upon obedience
to the laws, respect for right and justice, and
for the constitution as i: has been established,
ipterpreted and practiced in the past. This
great priuciple cannot be violated without the
most serious consequences for the honor and
welfare of the nation. To give the contents
of sentence as the one just passed upon the
Premier Minister Selmer my sanction would
be making myself and the Norwegian nation
responsible for it and its consequences to the
country and the union. Il is evident. that the
order Of judicial proceedings and the compost
tioE Of the court has been encroached upon IL
a manDer which is contrary to the principles
of an impartial administration Of justice.
Profound is my grief that such judicial
practice and decision could occur in oui
country
Still find that l perform my duty anc
promote the welfare Of the country better IL
the present case by letting my Minister selmei
resign. Besides be has himself humbly ex-
pressed wish to retire from the council.
/ then decide minister Of State Christian
August selmer reiires from his office" -
express my gracious aud warm appreciation
of his discharge Of his official duties and faith
full sevice to the Kingdom and myself"
LOVE NJ. WETLEsEN.
(Which all means that King Oscar had I
eat the leek, but did not enjoy the meal. L
effect be SAYS, / ought not to remove N.
Minister but as you wish it l will. The vii
Of the people was too much for the crown an
II had to Weld but threw up a little dnr
while doing it.-Ed.)
d,mrrnI aNrrrtisrmrnts.