The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-09-21

Paper Read Before the ChaatauQua Circle.
THE recently declared dissolution
of the Norwegian-Swedish un
ion by Norway's parliament
and the subsequent develop
ments pointing to a peaceful adjust
ment of the separation, are the main
features of the last chapter in the his
tory of Norway and Sweden; and which
have been watched with great deal of
interest from all parts of the civilized
world because of the manner in which
the exceptional proceedings have been
treated. In view of the fact that the
relations between these two kingdoms
have been permeated with degree of
jealousy ever since their union nearly
acentury ago, there is no doubt that
Sweden was expected to resent the sep
aration even to the extent of resorting
to arms. The old and almost forgotten
Morse spirit that was awakened. seems,
however, to have been guarded by
twentieth century diplomacy, which
placed the Swedes in such position
that, to take the initiative in war
would be humiliating. That no feel
ing of hostility was shown by either
side was a wise policy, and goes to
show that they fully realize what war
is in this age Of "Krupp guns and heavy
battalions." What has taken place
since the act of secession is doubtless
known to us all, so shall confine my
self to brief history of the people who
undid what was done in 1914 at the in
stigation of the allied powers, who had
for their purpose the overthrow OF
Napoleon.
Prior to about the middle of the
eighth century nothing definite is
known of the Norsemen. They were
supposedly Germanic tribe of the
Aryan race that emigrated from Asia
to the Scandinavian peninsula some
time during the second century. B. g
Why they should have chosen such al
unproductive and desolate portion o1
Europe as their home, and how they
managed for so many years is matter
of conjecture. About all they them
selves knew of their past was tina,
their forefathers had been great war
riors and it was for this that they were
noted when first the civilized worl(
learned of their existence. But it il
almost certainty that they had live(
as they did for many years after th'
beginning, so to speak, of their history
Each of the districts, into which th'
country was divided by natural boun
daries, lived for itself; and being
people to whom warfare had become
second nature, each district had it
chief, who, to maintain his honor ant
his Office, had either to conquer tn
enemy or die in the attempt. Their
appear to have been but two mean
whereby chief became unpopular: j
he failed to defeat the foe, or if ther
was failure of crops. whereupon h
was soon and unceremoniously pu
out of the way, and another elected
Illus UilOy oIO pIOouLuOO " uoFO llFO
for nearly thousand years.
By this time (about 77U they had d.
veloped a great daring and eficienc
at sea, and shortly after, began layin
waste the coast of Europe as far sout
as France; and later still, during whs
is known as the second Viking periot
they harassed the coast of Spain, an
even ventured as far as Africa an
other places on the Mediterranean SCI
These depredations, more especial
those committed in Denmark an
Flanders, were resented; and it ofte
occurred that they, (the Norsemen) wei
compelled to seek the safety of the
own harbors.
The fact that they were now maxim
foreign enemies made it necessary th'
warfare among themselves be aba
doned; and altho it was hard for the
to become reconciled, their own pr
lection demanded it, and eventual
their forces were united and XIII
chosen. Large fleets, manned
-Norsemen who had hitherto been pi
ted against each other, were now fitt'