The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-05-17
Il DE MAI.

Today is commemorative OF an
epoch-making event in the history of
Norway which has had its influences
upon the liberty of nations and the
freedom of mankind. The historical
significance of the event is no less in
spring to the people of the land of
the midnight sun than is our own ma
tai day to those who live in the land
over which floats the stars and stripes.
The history of the struggle which
led up to the event which is being
celebrated today wherever the de-
scendants of the Vikings have migrat-
ed is one of a valiant and patriotic
people to preserve the liberty of their
nation and the freedom of their peo-
pie.
Used as pawn to pay the obliga-
lions of the coalition due to Sweden
for joining the combination which
finally defeated and overthrow Napo-
leon, the people of Norway rebelled.
After having been allied with Den
mark for nearly four hundred years,
they were, without being consulted,
placed under Swedish control by the
three other nations which constituted
the sixth coalition.
At once the inherent spirit of lib
erty, which had come from the Vikings
of old, burst into fame, and the ma
ton rallied as one man to defend its
endangered liberties A ruler was Sc
lected and constitutional conven-
ton was called. The work of that
convention was ratified by the people
and proclaimed to the world on May
II, 1914.
1t is true that the conflict with Swe-
den to maintain that position which
followed this action Of Norway re-
suited in coalition between the two
nations, with one king and two legis-
lative bodies, but the principles of
equality and justice which were writ
ten into that memorable document
have been the basis of Norwegian lib
erty and independence to this day.
The separation of the two nations
without bloodshed and without the
loss of national prestige to either was
the most remarkable example of ma
tional self-control in the history of
the world. Though king was select
ed to rule the separated nation when
the severance was completed, the fact
that he reigned by the will of the peo-
pie, and not by divine right, was so
forcibly illustrated that it meant
new page. lin the history of the devel-
opment Of human liberty. There is
in that nation today a combination of
monarchy and democracy, a blending
of the old and the new, the meeting
and equalizing of the extremes, found
nowhere else in the world. 1t is in
deed new plan of government. That
it has already had its leavening effect
upon the other peoples and nations of
Europe is certain. That it will have
still greater influence as time goes
on is likewise certain.
Across the waters to other lands
to America, to the great northwest, to
North Dakota-the sons and daugh-
tiers of Norway have carried the prin-
ciples of their liberty, and in the fer
tile soil which had already been con-
secrated with the blood of patriots
on thousand battlefields, these prin-
ciples have grown to their full matu-
rity,; and, while every Norwegian to-
day will remember the event which
the day commentaries, he can at the
same time blend his love of his ma
tive land with that of the land of his
adoption, because the great underly-
ing principles are the same.