Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-01-05
NOrway's Hope Is
In a Modern
National Monarchy
BY BJoRNsTJERNE BJORNSON.
Norweaian Novelist

" T is a republican people in its ensemble that has rendered it
self independent in Norway; here is the truth. This besides
is the principle, the essential: Our republican disposition,
~ our republican standard for the measure of human values
this is what has an EDUCATIvE character for our people.
But the dispute ardently carried on today between a monarchy and
a republic is only a question of form for u.s.. 1t is forgotten that the
republican ordinance of our thought is the mistress WHO RULES
OUR HOUSE-be it a king o + a president who occupies the seat of
honor. The disdain comes from this, that by monarchy is understood
the FOREIGN monarchy which we have had, monarchy where re-
spectful distances we're observed by a court and following a ceremo-
NAL which the Spanards never have exceled. 1t was almost tolerable,
thanks to the lofty culture and the great personal amiabilty of the
monarch, BUT IT WAS NO MORE MODERN THAN NOR
WEGIAN. I affirm without fear of exaggeraion that there is a
greater difference between this and a monarchy conformabe to the
customs and will of the Norwegians than between the latter and the
presidency of a republic.
Because it cannot enter into the mind of an elected Norwegian
king to come here to hold a court, like the English king, the Italian
king and yet others, he must live among us as a particularly distn-
guished parsonage lives, who, on a number of fee days, summons a
representation. Beyond that he has nothing to do with court. On
Norwegian soi-that is to say, when we have him to ourselves-he
will feel himself Just like a HEREDITARY PRESIDENT. He will
live here among a republican people of modest condition, to whom he
vii. render himself useful by his example of participating in our work,
of furthering our projects, of augmenting our commerce. That will be
an advantage for us and his heart will be bound to ours. We HAVE
NOT BEEN SPOILED IN THIS RESPECT BY HABIT.
The difference between such a monarchy and a presidency consists,
above all, in the forms. These also naturally have their Importance,
which is not to be neglected; a modern national monarchy is IN its
essence a useful form of transition. BY virtue of this it has a mission
BESIDES ITS OWN FUNCTION.
Have we need of this transitional form? That appears to me to be
the real, the only question. If the answer were doubtful for some be-
fore the conclusion of the peace at Karlstad, since then there can be
no doubt, it seems to mt This conclusion of peace sounds differently
according as ont reads it IN IT'S ENTIRE TEXT or in a tee-
graphic summary. By it we have been set on the highway. We can
say that it is not the arms which relaxed their grip upon lis, but the
hands. The marks will be visible as long as the young generation of
today will live. No one can be more panied than | who gave warning.
But we cannot remain IMMOBILE on the highway with a national
hate among us.
Without doubt there are a number of issues; but, be they what
they may, this is also certain-we shall await more easily the security
of our life and the success of our new enterprises by means of a dynas-
ty with powerful relations than by the DANGEROUS SOLITUDE
OF A REPUBLIC. For us, old republicans, there is nothing to do
save what Garibaldi did. After having served the republic all his life
he resolved to serve the king. Victor Emmanuel said, and his grand
son repeated after him: eff Italy has n. longer need of me Is king,
let her say so. / will serve her in another capacity"
1t depends upon us whether or not our new king shall think and
speak with equal magnanimty. If the king has come to us with the
great plan of rendering us inestmable service in collaborating with us
IMMEDIATELY and of in nowise thwarting our Interior develop
ment, the wounds caused by the ominous, frightful "peace" will be
cured with the greatest rapidity.
THIS WILL DEPEND UPON THE RAPlDiTY wHEREWITH WE
SHALL RECOVER THE SENTIMENT OF THE SECURITY OF OUR
LIFE AND SHALL RECEIVE HONOR FOR OUR ACHIEVEMENT.