The Ladysmith news and Ingram news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1905-1906, 1905-09-09
swEDEs IN NORWAY VOTED.
Cast Ballots for Dissoiution-Objec
Lesson for Stockholm.

Lesson TOT SLOCkHOlfns
AS Norway had officially informed
Sweden that the union up to this time
was to be considered as dissolved,
after the common king had declared
himself not capable to procure Nor
wegian government, Sweden proposed
as a condition since qua non that all
the Norwegian people, through the
voters, should give the Norwegian
storthing it's sympathy and approba-
ton to the decision about the dissolu-
ton of the union. When such a dec
laration from the people was placed
before her Sweden was ready for it's
own part to accept the dissolution OF
the union, if Norway and Sweden
came to an agreement about the rest.
The Swedish government, more
over was of that opinion, that rea-.
place if, if, first, Norway permitted the
Swedish Laplanders to let their rein
deers Craze on the Norwegian frontier
hills; second, Norway consented to
common and mutual arrangement OF
both countries transit trade, and il,
third, Norway, together with Sweden,
established a neutral zone along the
southwest part of the frontier be-
tween both countries. at which it was
presupposed that two recently erected
Norwegian frontier fortresses should
be RACED. The claim to the popular
vote was Immediately met in the most
friendly way by Norway. Well, such
election was decided to be held be-
fore the decision of the Swedish par
lament was officially announced to
the Norwegian storthing.
It was now decided that all Norwe-
gian citizens who in 1903 had the right
OF voting Tin this year the latest cleo
ton of the members of parliament
took place were to be called upon
through their aye" or no." by letter,
to speak their minds plainly whether
they agreed or disagreed with the
dissolution of the union, that had
taken place.
The voting took place in like man
ner as during general election, by the
parish. The general election commit
tee conducted the election, and the
voters went, one after another, into
the voting booths, where they in pri-
vate put their ballots marked AYE"
or mo into a sealed envelope. One
citizen cannot possibly have any idea
of the way in which another votes. 1t
is quite secret.
The surprise and joy, therefore,
was exceedingly great, because it be-
came apparent that it was not only an
overwhelming majority for the disso
hutton of the union, which was ex-
pected, but that the Norwegian people
agreed with it's govern
ment and storthing. About 900
have the right to vote, and 369,211
voted aye and" and 1874 no" That
means that all the people that were at
home and had the right to vote ap-
peared at the polls.
It is also to be remembered that
there are $4,000 Swedish by birth who
have the right to vote in Norway and
they have acted in manner to do
themselves and their country great
honor.
In those districts where the Swedes
especially congregate not single
mo" was registered. They, too, have
that the dissolution of the
union was necessity. 1t ought to
give their countrymen something to
think about.
Sunday, the 18th of August, was of
course a festival day through all Nor
way. The churches were decorated
with foliage, flowers and flags and all
clergymen prayed for the fatherland.
In the towns there was spirit and
feast as never before.
But there was quiet and order
everywhere, and that earnestness that
proved that the people were conscious
of the responsibility of their voting.
For not without national giving up is
it possible that the Norwegian people
now can enter a way that leads back
from the resolution of the 7th of June
and of the 18th of August. And that
will never happen.