Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-20
A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.
The Sturdy Norwegians Struggling
in the Throes of Liberty.
DISSATISFIED WITH SWEDEN,
They Desire to Establish Republic Of Their
Cwn Manufacture.
WORK OF PJORNsTJERNE pJoRNsoN.


the resignation of the Norwegian cabinet
says the Boston Herald Immediately fol.
lowing 1t came advices from Stockholm an
nouncing that Sweden would resist any At
tempt at dissolving the union on the part
| of Norway, even threatening, If necessary,
to invade the latter country with an armed
| force.
The long and bitter political conflict be.
tween these two far.away countries, which
is barely intimated in the cablegrams, has
received but scant attention on this side Of
the Atlantic. Yet it is of the greatest in.
terest to the intelligent observer of the
political development of European coun-
tries 1t is, in q measure, struggle tor
liberty not unlike that of the founders Of
our Republic It aims at vesting the peo-
pie with rights and privileges that have
been usurped by bureaucracy and kings
The strife is fast approaching its culmina-
tion, and the latest events proclaim in un-
mistakable tones the dawn of new re-
pu bile. Additional interest Is lent this
coming event when it is remembered that
during these years of battle and democratic
rule the Norwegian reformers have drunk
inspiration and sought ideals from the his
And, furthermore, thousands of their
countrymen who have founded new homes
throughout this land-there Is hardly fam
lily in Norway without its American repre-
sentative-havc with one accord voiced the
blessings of universal suffrage and q gov
eminent by the people
Chief Factors in the Struggle.
The potent influence which these have
~ h0f Iu
munication of different kinds, especially
among the farming classes, cannot easily be
overestimated, and mas been a principal
factor in rousing the home people to wage
war for political freedom. The Constitu-
tion of 1914 gave Norway a separate Parlia-
ment, with full legislative Independence.
The right of appointing to office was vested
in the King, and for a long time exercised
by him in rather an arbitrary manner.
Later it was understood that all appoint
ments should be made in accordance with
the wishes of the cabinet.
Before long it was felt BY some that, in
the eyes of Sweden and their common
king, Norway was simply regarded as q
view of the matter was eminently satisfac-
tory to the ofice-holding class, in whose
hands all political power lay during the
first half of the century. Then arose that
intrepid spokesman for the people who led
them on to the first victory, In their strife
to obtain greater independence and voice
in national affairs His name was John
Sve rdrup, a man wonderfully endowed rs a
thinker and orators born leader To him
the Liberals of Norway owe their chiefest
thanks
At every step toward reform and progres.
sive measures, he, with the others, met
with the strong opposition Of the Office
holding class, including all functionaries of
about certain proposed changes in the Con-
stitution-trial by jury, extension of the
suffrage and representation of the cabinet in
the Storthing.
The Kings Veto Always at Hand.
Every measure affecting the constitution
was met with veto by the King. It was
contended that the constitution itself
granted him the privilege of an absolute, or
final, veto in all matters pertaining to the
constitution. He endeavored to exercise it,
and was sustained by his Ministers. This
eventually led to the impeachment of the
Selmer Cabinet in 1888 They were tried
BY q court comp rosed of part of the Storth-
ing and the Judges of the Supreme Bench.
Day after day the weary trial dragged
along. The excitement was intense. Loud
cries of treason filled the air, and when
King Oscar rode through the streets of
Christians his smiles and bows received an
almost silent recognition.
Selmer, the, Prime Minister, together
with his whole Cabinet, was found guilty,
deprived of Office and condemned to pay
fine. The little prim man, who 80 long
had been q barrier to political progress in
Norway, rode in state with head erect and
proud mein to the Parliament building to
hear his sentence. The surging crowd eyed
him with silent contempt A little later he
emerged, trembling, aged mamie had
been disgraced for lite.
It may be remarked, in this connection,
that all the Judges of the Supreme Bench
voted for his acquittal. This was the first
great victory Of the Liberal party, or the Left,
IS It is called. Loud mutterings were heard
in Sweden over this event, but the weak
minded King Oscar ''bit in the sour apple"
and appointed his bitterest adversary,
Sverdrup, Prime Minister. Thus parliament
tarism was introduced, together with other
Not content with the COM
pletest independence in all matters pertain |
ing to home government the Norweglans
now demand equal representation with the
5wedes in all relations of their country to |
foreign nations
Right of Special Treaties Demanded.
Hitherto all negotiations with other Gov |
have been conducted by the |
Swedish Minister OF State. Norway now
demands independence in her foreign rela-
ions, the right of special treaties with other |
nations and her own consular represents
ives. The refusal of the King to sanction
he latter led to the resignation of the Steen
Ministry q week ago.
Step by step the Norwegians have moved
;oward complete severance of all political
les which still bind them to Sweden. With
Ieparate military and naval establishments,
rule and an extended suf-
rage which will soon become universal,
Norway needs only free hand in handling
oreign questions to be Republic in all
,ut the name. OF the Kings prestige and
,ower only faint shadow remains
Threats to cut off the royal appanage
rave recently been made by highly infu-
initial members of the Storthing. If he
hereby could secure lasting peace, King
oscar would, no doubt, gladly consent to
ny such arrangement He could we'll
ford 1t, too, for his fortune, part of which
invested in New York real estate, is esti-
mated at over $25, 900, 900.
Emboldened by their success, the leaders
4 the Left do not hesitate any longer to
eclare openly for q republic Foremost
mong these stand the statuesque giant, the
oet and statesman, Bjornstjerne Bjornson,
those mighty voice and fierce eloquence
ave been instrumental in leading the peo-
lie to victory in 40 many political battles
md, In truth, they have been battles
Hot Blood Of the Vikings Crops Out.
The hot blood of the vikings still flows in
: Af~a ~ VI Il