The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1905-11-01
THE BIRTH OF A NATION
Rejoicing In Norway When Independ-
ance Was Declared. linus
uaI Election Incidents.

Margaret Haley, secretary of the Chi
cago Teachers federation, spent her
summer vacation in Norway and Den
mark. In the former country size at
tended the election at whicA the Nor
wegians voted on separation from
Sweden and spoke with enthusiasm re-
Gently of the sight, says the New York
Press.
u spent the election day going from
one polling place to another in Chris
tiania,' said she, everywhere the
streets were full of people in holiday
garb Every voter was accompanied
to the polls by the women of his family
often his mother, Wife, daughter and
sister. Women now vote for every
thing except parliamentary officers i'll
Norway, and heard many regrets eX-
pressed by men that the women could
not vote on this question, so as to roll
up bigger majority for independence.
There was no noise, shouting or dis
cussion. Every man seemed to know
just how he was going to vote, and
neither sought to influence his ncighbor
nor to try to find out his choice OF bal
lot.
Men wore paper caps on which was
painted in big letters, ia CYesD, and
below, Nielsker dette lander GIVE love
this landD. Trolley cars were covered
with flowers and the Norwegian colors
red, white and blue-a1d bore pla-
cards with the great ia Men, women
and children wore long streamers of
the red, white and blue. But, aside
from the colOrs. flowers, holiday garb
and general appearance of jOyousness,
there was no demonstration as we uE-
derstand it; no firecrackers, no ear
splitting noises or speech making. 4
military band played national airs in
the great public square all day.
after watching the voters for hours,
l was impressed both by their intelli-
gence and their patriotism. All the
wealthy people who were out of town
for the summer had returned to vote,
and richly dressed women accompa-
MED their men to the polls like their
poorer sisters. | never saw such
sight at an American election. l saw
one little incident which illustrates
the remarkable democracy of Norway.
the consideration for the poor and the
weak. Two university professors came
up to vote They passed the long line
of voters and marched up to the clerks.
\ soldier stationed there coOlly ordered
thelh back to the end of the line to
wait their turn Soon after very old
man, poorly dressed and wearing Il Sal
walton Army badge, came up and took
his place at the end of the line. A man
escorted him up front, and the guard,
in consideration of his age, permitted
him to vote at once.
THAT night we went to the National
theater to see the national play, 'Josa-
lefer,' written by Bjornsen. shall
never forget the scene at the close.
The patriotic feelings of the people had
been aroused by the play, which is a
glorious one AS the curtain went
down the entire audience stood up and
sang the national hymn, the orchestra
playing. Then Bjornsen, the manager
Of the theater and son of the author,
rose in his Dox and announced that
Norway had voted to separate from
Sweden by 64,36O ayes to 33 noes. One
mighty shout filled the theater. The
long, silent self control of the day was
broken. The people shook hands and
waved their hats and handkerchiefs.
Women burst into tears of excitement
and joy, and l even saw men with
tears running down their faces. l shall
never forget this birthday of a ma
ton"