The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-30

words Of the cantAta being by the pastor
Of the church and the hymns being written
In the language Of the peasants.
Finally the King arose, proceeded down
the aisle to the chapel and, kneeling, re-
ceived from the Bishop the insignia Of
ONCE, the crown being placed upon his
head, a gold chain about his neck, a sceptre
in one and and q golden globe in the other
As soon as he returned to the throne the
Queen advanced TO the chapel and wal
likewise invested, and hen the Premier,
Mr.. Nicholson, proposed a salute to the
King and the Queen. The people responded
with earnestness n the exercises were
concluded.
A KING cHosEN By HIS PEOPLE.
do not expect to witness another corona
ton. and II will be some satisfaction TO re-
member that the first and only one attended
was that Of a king whom the people OF their
own accord selected; for II there is anything
more democratic than = republican form Ok
government, il Is the fundamental principle
that the people have a right to have what
ever form Of government they desire.
jefferson emphasized this doctrine when
the people Of France called Napoleon to
the throne, and it has Bible sanction as
well, for when the children OF Israel still de-
handed a king even after Samuel explained
what a king would do, he was told to let
them nave their way.
The ext day We put on our best clothes
and joined the line that passed before the
King and Queen. 1t was not q very satisfy
ing experience, but 1t is worth something to
know how such things are done and, I may
add, the more an American sees Of it the
more he appreciates the simplicity OF public
life 10 his own country.
A DEMOCRATIC MONARCHY.
Norway, in spite Of the choosing Of a king,
is the most democratic country in northern
Europe. She has no nobility, confers no
titles and had TO go outside OF her own
realm to And one Of royal birth. She had
Der kings and princes in the early days, but
one Norwegian statesman explained to us
that when they lost their privileges they
emigrated to America md tried farming.
The choice OF a Dane was not strange.
IL a king was TO be chosen from without.
for Norway was united with Denmark for
more than three centuries and there has
always been a friendly feeling between the
| two countries. 1t was eXpedient. too.
under the circumsta noes, to offer the crown
| W IN " VI NC III hAAA wi tAA'
brought Norway's throne into kinship with
the thrones OF England and Russia as well
as with that Of Denmark.
In fact, the circumstances and the situa-
ton had a good deal to do with the four
10 one vote in favor Of a monarchy. When
it is remembered that Norway's paramount
aim was to secure independence and that
this might nave been jeopardized by an at
tempt to establish a republic at the same
time. it is really surprising that one-fifth Of
the people had the courage TO vote to plant
a republic amid surrounding monarchies
There are many in Norway who prefer
a president to a king and who object to
having 100000 Of people taxed nearly
100000 a year to pay the salary of a kingly
hgurehead, but the monarchists reply that
the Kings position is purely ornamental
and enables the Government to maintain
cordial relations with other European coun-
tries lille the people govern themselves
through the Storthing. They point out
that the King has much less power than our
President.
While this ia true, they forget that a
president elected by the people m holding
Office but four years can be trusted with
more executive authority than a heredi-
taTy monarch.
The Storthing has absolute power. and as
it's members are elected by universal suff-
rage every three years and as there is but
the one parliamentary body. public senti-
ment finds prompt expression in the Govern
ment. 1t can be truthfully said. therefore,
that with the exception OF the executive
branch Of the Government, Norway is
thoroughly democratic and that the in
fuence of the King is reduced to a mini
num-.
TIE FUTURE PROMISING.
Norway has a promising future. Her
people are hardy and intelligent. Educa-
ton has peer compulsory for fifty years,
and it is the country's boast that it spends
more per capita on schools than n other
country in Europe.
Because Of Norway's immense shipping
interests she demanded a separate consular
service, and il wal the refusal Of Sweden to
consent TO this that led 10 the separation,
Now that her destiny is in the hands Of her
W people much may be expected Of her.
Her sons and daughters, those who have
emigrated to America as we'll as those who
have remained at home, prove to the world
chat It is possible for a people to acquiiu
the refnements Of civilization without losing
| their original strength and vigor.