River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-05-16
The 18th of May.


Tomorrow is Norway's Fourth o
July. 1t is the anniversary of the
adoption of its constitution in 1914
Few countries have made the progress
during the century that Norway has
OF all the nations that sprang int
independence during, or at the clost
of the career of the great Napoleon
Norway alone has maintained itself.
Norway was by the treaty of Kiel in
Janaury, 1914, coded to Sweden, and
England, Russia, Prussia and Austria
| became the guarantors TO Sweden fol
| its fulfillment. This was to REIN
| burse Sweden for the loss of Finland
| TO Russia in 1869 and to punish Den
mark for having espoused the cause
of the fallen Napoleon. But the
NOrwegians resisted the transfer and
called a constitutional convention
which met at Eidsvold and on the 14th
of May promulgated the present con-
stitution. The son of the King of
| Denmark, noted for his effeminacy and
wholly unfit TO rule in the troublous
| times, then yiceroy in Norway, was
chosen king. Charles John, formerly
Prince Bernadotte of the NapoleOnic
army, but who having been chosen
heir-apparentt to the throne of Sweden
had not hesitated to lead the "Allied
Il -, ;r..s af Northarp Enron auaip 6 4
his former general, was then in
charge of Swedish affairs. An army
approached the Norwegian frontier
/ under his command. But with the
exception of few skirmishes, the
/ affair did not assume the importance
of war. \ treaty was entered into
by which the Danish Prince abdicated
all right to the throne of Norway in
| favor of the King OF Sweden. A
Swedish commission met a like com
mission on the part of Norway tC
| treat as to the relations of the two
countries to each other and to the
king, and the result was that Norway
maintained the constitution already
adopted with such changes only as
uuara N, ado noeosss.-s' ny tho fe9e ei,at
the same dynasty was thereafter to
reign over the two countries. The
King alone is the common heritage
of both. Each has its own legislative
sembly and its own administrative
officers and ministry.
The constitution of Norway com
mences as follows: Norway is free
independent indiyisible and inalien
able kingdom, united with Sweden
under one king. Its form of govern
ment is a limited Unbeatable
monarchy"
The study of the adoption of thi:
constitution is especially interesting
to the students of history and politica
development. by order of the viceroy
the election of delegates was an
nounced by the clergy of the establish
ed church from the pulpit on |
certain Sunday without previous
notice and an election proceeded will
Immediately. The clergy was TIN
plant tool OF the regency. A ma
ljority of the delegates was by tn
same regent apportioned TO the arm.
and the office-holders, only about one
third of tine mum Der coming from tn
farming population and the trades
But this convention wrought ia
better than might have been expect
ed 1t proved itself independent ant
patriotic, wise in craftsmanship ant
exalted in its ideals and the constitu
: tion which it gave to the country wa
we'll adapted to the circumstances AM
the times. Under it the country ha
prospered far more than at any lik
.. period before. Common education /
. fostered and an interest in publ
affairs unequaled anywhere in Europe
to quote from The American Com
monwealth by the great Englishman
Mr.. Brice, is everywhere manifes
among the peasantry of Norway.
The present political difficulties o
the country are not a contest between
|. Sweden and Norway 1t is rather
conflict between the liberal wing 0
the Norwegian Storthing and tn
/ Royalists as to the Kings preroga
} tives. 1t is one of q series of like con
/ tests, the one most notable growin
, out of the question of the Kings vet
J power of proposed amendments TO tn
L xuIinh ahnIt ton
ago eliminated in the Impeachment
and conviction of the then ministry
The present difference arises from tn
! desire of Norway to maintain a sepa
) rate foreign service, which has bee
! disapproved by the King. How muc
material benefit the country woul
| derive from suc.4 q change is not cas-
! to determ Ae. The King can not b
said to have Disseminated agains
Norway in making the appointment
; to the foreign service, and Tn
minister of Sweden and Norway i
Washington is a Norwegian. But tn
: laws relating to commerce an
lcustoms in the two countries are nc
: by any means uniform, and the col
= tention of Norway is that having til
/ largest commerce she win be bette
!. served with entire Independence {
!. any representation which may B
o compelled to stand as the exponent
g two opposing principles.
I. Public officials in Norway swes
:. upon entering upon their duties
y support and defend the Constitute
Z and the King,-not the King and I'll
d Constitution. The final interpretatio
u of that document is therefore ~
e with the King,-a very importar
:. item under a monarchy.
y There is strong tendency in No
er way towards independent republican
&c ism. 1t is, however, doubtful wheth'
such a change would afford her al
&c material benefit unless the sist.
country Sweden were to Join in Il