The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-18
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
Relations Of Sweden and Norway.

"
10 the Editor of The Journal
After reading the article in yesterdays
! 0 n in regard to the Swedes and
NorWeglans 1 think the statement Of a
lew 1acts might be in place. There are
undoubtedly some improvements to be
made IN the laws and political condition
OF sweden, yet am impertinent enough
10 thlnk, and hope to be able to prove
that many countries have something to
learn from Sweden as far as civilization
ana government go. In Sweden a poll
tlclan must be able to show that he can
support himself and family by other
means than politics before his constitu-
ents can trust him with political job.
Inc lawmakers undoubtedly have rea-
soneu mat man unable to manage his
own business well is unfit for public trust,
however much he can shout. Conse-
quently in order to be candidate for
the lower house Of the riksdag Cor par
hament) or vote one must have an an
nual income of 600 crowns ($160) or prop
erty worth 1000 crowns ($27O). It is true
that many unfortunates are unable to
save 1000 crowns ($27O) during life, and
thus never have the right to participate
IN laW-making and governing, but ordi-
narlly an Intelligent, Industrious laborer
can attain the right +. -.
The members Of the upper house, or
aristocracy, as Mr.. Chamberlain calls
them, receive no salary and are sup
posed to have enough income to live while
serving their country in the ''riksdag''
without resorting to brides. They are
elected by the "landsting'' of each PROV
ince, which body is elected on the same
principle as the members Of the lower
house. Brides, election frauds and politi-
cal campaigns are things practically I'M
known in Sweden. The office seeks the
man generally. Political freedom and the
! right to vote are older in Sweden than
In any other country and have never been
suppressed. Long before the existence
OF Magma Charta and before the arrival
of Christianity the Swedes met at their
ting and decided what their king should
do; and woe to him if he did not obey.
AS to the cause of NOrway's separa-
ton from Sweden, I have failed to find
one and no one else has found any. If
Christiania had been the capital instead
of Stockholm, I dare say no Norwegian
would ever have thought of disunion.
It is really amusing to see the state
ment from MIR. Arctander that the boun-
dairy line between Sweden and Norway is
the boundary line between eastern and
western European civilization. Our gov
eminent statistics show the Swedish i'm
migrant to be the best educated of all
the many coming to our shores, the Nor
wegian brother not excepted. Instruction
in reading has been compulsory in Swe-
den for 200 years, and other things that
go to make civilization have had their
proportionate standing there. It is sur
prisng to the student of natural sciences
to find what a great influence little Swe-
den has had in shaping them. Botany
and zoology had their birth in Sweden
Chemistry gives Sweden credit for about
one-third Of its discoveries. Mineraogy,
physics, mathematics and astronomy have
many and deep marks made by Swedish
genius, and still can a Norwegian min
lister admit only eastern European civil
ization for Sweden. It is a peculiar CO.
incidence that the prominence of Norway
has been brought about since its union
with Sweden. The history Of Europe does
not know anything of Norway from the
time the Christians in their prayers asked
to be delivered from the raVageS Of the
heather Mortimer till Norway was ceded
by Denmark to Sweden in the peace OF
Kiel in 1914. Never in the history of the
world has powerful nation shown such
magnanimity to a weaker nation as Swe-
den has shown to Norway in the present
crisis; and it does not help the Norwe-
gians very much to disparage the Swe-
dish government. ,jg re; = = e
Let truth, right and justice prevail, and
if the Norwegians will feel better by get
ting their own king, the Swedes will have
no objection to see them enjoy the lux
ury. The Scandinavian people are one
race, have the same religion, the same
civilization, the same form of government,
and, with the exception of few tenn
porary shouters in Norway, have one
heart politically. They always managed
their own affairs, and even now, when a
powerful neighbor offers Sweden help, if
needed, to subdue rebellious Norway, it
simply aids the friendly agreement with
Norway. "A. Lind, MD.
Minneapolis, Aug. 10.