Morris tribune., 1891-05-13


the latter maintains the monarchical
form of government. 1t is, however,
well known fact that the constitutional
: fathers of Norway not only were thor
oughly familiar with the uprising of the
people on the western hemisphere and
the subsequent revolution in France, but
also heartily synpathized with the op-
pressed III both countries. Undoubtedly
they formed the constitution OF their
own country to great extent after the
American and French pattern. At any
rate. the eosIstiitrEttiicn of the United
States and the constitution of Norway
resemble each other at least in so far as
in both the people are made the sovereign
power. The Norwegian king is, of course,
not wholly without power; he has certain
privileges, among those being the right
to exercise his veto to a certain extent
against laws adopted by the national
assembly, the ptorthing, and he has also
the appointive power. In the long run,
however. the people Or their representa-
tives, who are elected for term Of three
years, will always come out the strongest.
They can make changes in the present
laws and enact such new ones as they
may determine.
In view Of the fact that the constitu-
ton of Norway extends to the people
these great privileges and many others,
it is not to be wondered at that the Nor
wegians, fully appreciating, as they do,
the vital Importance of self government
and freedom. consider it as their duty to
remember the day this constitution was
adopted, thereby also encouraging the
continuance of the celebration in the
future by their descendants.
And even when the Norseman has left
his country for good he clings to its
memories. Among the Norwegians In
this country it has likewise become the
custom to arrange festivals in honor of
the events which terminated on the 18th
of May, 1914.
In nearly every town where sufficient
number of Norwegians reside the day is
remembered in some manner, and IN the
large cities like Minneapolis and Chicago,
of whose population the Scandinavian
immigrants form such conspicuous
portion, the 18th of May is generally
celebrated by brilliant street parades.
The poor laborer and his more well to
do countryman-the merchant Or the
lawyer-cheerfully at such occasions,
join hands for the purpose of paying their
respects to the memory Of the mutual
past.
At this late day it is almost unnecessary
to say that the celebration of an event
SO significant to the Norwegian nation
ality as the adoption of the constitution
at Eidswold does not foster any tendency
Of disloyalty to the adopted country.
On the contrary, he will often be found
the best American citizen who takes the
most interest in the welfare OF his mother
country.
THE PROGRESS OF SCANDINAVIA.
Few countries in the world probably
have undergone SO great change dur
ing the last twenty-five years as has
Scandinavia. Down to the middle of
this century the whole peninsula was al
most a terra incognito to the English
speaking people. Except few articles
il the Edinburgh and foreign quarterly
reviews, hardly anything can be found in
the English literature indicating real
honest study of people so allied to the
Anglo-Americans by race and sentiments
as the Scandinavians. However, many
circumstances Of late years have indi-
Gated tendency to the cultivation OF
better acquaintance with those countries
and their inhabitants
The great influx Of travellers, net OF
railway lines, steam communication and
other facilities haye done much toward
advancing the acquaintance with Scandi-
navia now practically existing.
In 1852 William and Mary Howard,
speaking of Scandinavian history, say:
..sFe blush for the former English ig1io-
rance of Scandinavian antiquities, and
Congratulate ourselves at the present
moment on a somewhat more credit
able acquaintance with the history and
genius of our Scandinavian ancestors. !"
Literature of Northern Europe
The views expressed in this quotation
are. of course, far more frequently enter
tanned at the present time than at any