The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-15
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
THE SEVENTEENTH OFMAY INTaE
NORWEGIAN CAPITAL.


May II is Norway's Fourth Of July. On
that day the people give themselves up to
patriotic festivities, and the small boy lit
orally owns the country. II is the day
upon which. seventy-eight years ago, Nor
way proclaimed her independence by pro-
mitigating her constitution founded upon
the principle of popular sovereignty.
The most impressive and most beautiful
feature Of the exercises Of a 18th of May cele,
bration is without comparison the school
children's procession, which occupies the
greater part of the forenoon. In the larger
cities, especially in Christiana, on day
bright and clear, with the air filled with
the soft, tender sunlight of spring, it Is a
sight never to be forgotten. The houses lin
ing the marching route are all decorated with
flags and bunting. The sidewalks ore
thronged with onlookers wearing the
national colors and cheering the nation of
little folks as the column passes along the
streets, and the gentle spring breezes watt
patriotic airs into every nook and corner.
Each school forms brigade, with the
tallest boys in front and the smallest bring
ing up the rear, struggling to keep step as
best they can. The champion of the school
carries the school banner, and each boy a
flag as large as his strength will allow. On
a bright day 10000 or more boys are in line,
and more buovant army was never seen.
Inspired by the patriotic airs performed by
the various bands in the column, they
march and keep step like veterans, these little
fellows, responding to the cheering OF the
multitude by moving their flags and sending
forth rolling waves of hurrahs. They are
the lions of the hour and they know it.
Their cheeks glow and their eyes reflect the
enthusiasm filling their young hearts. If
they have political opinions of their own,
and great many boys have, this Is the oc-
casipn upon which they can testify to their
convictions without fear of rebuke from
parents or teachers. On rounding the kings
castle the grammar schools seldom fail to
show their good breeding by decorous cheers
for the king. On reaching the build
ing tof the national parliament the
StOrthing) continuous and enthusiastic
cheers, hurrahs and bewildering waving
of flags greet the representatives, of the
people from the generation for whom they
are building and who will take up their
work where they shall lay it down. Look
ing at the procession of school boys march,
ing under perfect panoply of national
colors, every boy little enthusiastic proud
patriot conscious OF his own Importance,
the column filling the streets for miles and
miles, one cannot but be impressed with
the unique, almost solemn. beauty of the
SCeue. 10 bu6 SCHOOL boys Llelr
parti ipation in the exercises Of the day is
baptism in patriotism which makes a last
ing impression upon their youthful hearts.
1t brushes away all distinctions of class, So
cial rank or wealth. and unites their hearts
in the noble, elevating passion Of love Of
country, and appeals to their budding sense
OF dutiful patriotism in manner that they
can understand.
In recent years the celebration of the 18th
of Nav hul haopuoa anita tbs.
Norwegian citizens OF the United States.
In most cities and settlements where Nor
wegians are found in numbers, Mother
Norway's" day Of honor is ftingly observed.
There Is not, however, any trace of clam
nishness in q 18th OF May celebration on
American soil. In observing the holiday of
Norway a Norse-American only pays
tribute to the same principles that are
embodied in the organic laws of his adopted
land and state. The near kinship of Morse
and American liberty is always emphasized
on these occasions. AS u matter of fact, an
observance by Morse Americans is fourth
of July without frecrackers.
The transformation Of Norway's political
status was 80 unexpected and sudden that
the work of Eidsyoldn appeared to the
contemporaneous generation in a halo Of
miracle wrought by special intervention
of providence. And the lapse of eighty
years has detracted nothing from its glamor
1t still stands forth as one of the sublime
inspirations of the century. Armed only
with her self-giyen charter Of liberty, Nor
way leaped, q Pallas Athene among tho na>
tives of Europe. into the arena of independ-
dent states and by her courage and determi-
nation won Europe's recognition Of her
rights.
Napoleons defeat at Leipsic left his ally,
Denmark-Norway Chen unitedl at the
mercy of the victors. 1t was decreed by
the powers that Norway should be given TO
Sweden, and the Danish king was forced to
sign a treaty to that effect. The Norwe-
gians rose TO man against this outrage on
their rights. Although the national finances
were in the greatest disorder, the currency
debased, the country suffering from q re-
cent famine, and the means OF defense shat
tered and destroyed, the people, inspired by
an almost supernatural heroism deter
mined to defy the dictum Of Europe. A
constituent assembly was convoked, and
in an incredibly short time a constitution
was framed and promulgated. When their
work was completed the members of the
assembly. many Of whom were plain farm
ers, formed "cIrcle of brotherhOOdn in
front OF their humble hall of liberty, in
voked the hIes ings of the Almighty, and
like the peasants Of Switzerland 500 years
bafore, solemnly swore to stand united and
true TO the last in support of their charter
u
entered iuto union with Sweden, preserv-
ing Der national independence and retain
ing the constitution of Eidsvold as her or
ganic law.
The constitution is still the organic char
ter of Norway. Ii is the oldest written con-
stitulon in in force Europe. Bluntsehli has
characterized 1t as one of the M ost remarka-
BILE constitutions ever framed. Experience
has shown it 10 be admirably adapted TO
its purpose, securing to the people stable,
just and free government. OF all European
constitutions that we're upshots of the great
upheaval in France that of Norway was
the only one destined 70 live. The murky
wave of oppressive reaction that swept over
Europe after the fall of Napoleon broke
against the rocks of Norway. The spark
that lit among the Morse mountains con-
tinued to burn with steady fame Of in
creasing brightness. The constitution of
Norway alone was saved out of the general
wreck Of liberty, to remain as a visible
sign that freedom would again return to
break the letters Of the enslaved millions.
Bernadotte had accepted the constitution
of Eidsvold, expecting to overthrow it.
Sweden had accepted the union, expecting
to reduce Norway to the status of prov
ince. For seventy long years the Norweg-
ians were compelled to be forever on their
guard against their own king and thel rally.
times pregnant With grave danger; but 1t
has been chain of victories for the
Norwegians. If their constitution did
not cost a drop of blood, 1t has
taken the patriotic vigilance of two gem
Il Il n.