The National tribune., 1907-12-12
DEATH OF OSCAR II.

DEATH OF OSCAR II.
The death of the aged King of Swe-
den is fortunately without political con-
sequence to Europe, since the success
sion Immediately passes to the legiti-
mate heir. his son, and there have been
no possible contingencies threatening
the peace of Europe connected with
the demise of the ruler. Since the sep
aration of Norway from Sweden every
thing has quieted down; there is no
thought of annexation of Sweden to any
other country, and no other has any
designs upon the little Kingdom. Since
the succession to the throne of Berna-
dotte, one of Napoleon's Marshals, the
succession to the throne of Sweden has
proceeded calmly and regularly. Berna-
dotte. who assumed the title of Charles
XIV, was succeeded by. his son, Oscar
l., and he by Carl XIV. and upon the
latter's premature death in 1859, with
out male children, the late King, who
was his next surviving brother, sue
ceeded him
The late King was not a man of any
particular force of character or strong
tendencies in any direction, but showed
himself a generous patron of industry,
science and the arts. He lived a clean
life, and was held in high respect by
his subjects. He was born Jan. 81,
1929, and succeeded to the throne on
the death of his brother, Carl XIV, Sept.
IS, 1872. He married June 6, 1857,
Sophia, daughter of the Duke Wilhelm,
of Nassau. They had four children,
the eldest of whom succeeded his faith
er on the throne. The late Kings fam
| lily was so much in request to furnish
healthful pure-blooded partners for
the rulers of other countries that he
became known as the Grandfather of
Europe. His children and grandchiI-
dren were brought up as carefully as
those of Western farmer, and with
little more allowances in the way of
spending money. The result was that
they all grew up healthy, strong, we'll
behaved, with a lively appreciation of
the actual facts of life, and, therefore,
made desirable partners for the anemic
Princes and Princesses of the reigning
houses in other countries.
The reigning family in Sweden is
known in history as the house of Ponte
Corvo. from the fact that Marshal Ber-
nadotte had been given by Napoleon
the title of Prince de Ponte Corvo. Jean
Baptiste Jules Bernadotte was the son
of a French lawyer, and entered the
revolutionary army very promptly, in
which he rapidly rose until the Direc-
tory made him Minister of War. Ma
poleon created him Marshal, and fol
his brilliant service at Austerlitz be-
slowed on him the title of Prince dc
Ponte Corvo. He was, however. never
thoroly in accord with Napoleon, nnt
the latter was jealous of him.
In the troubles as to the Swedish
succession in 1910 he presented him
self as a candidate for the throne, anC
the Swedish Diet elected him Grown
! Prince on the condition that he becom,
> Protestant. In this position he soor
became involved in war with his ole
master, Napoleon, and he led one o
the armies which united to defeat Ma
poleon at Leipsic. He subjugated Nor
way, and succeeded to the throne il
1918. The reign was marked by grea
wisdom of government, and SwedeI
made rapid progress. He was the onl,
one of Napoleon's Marshals who found
ed dynasty. Constant intermarriag
of his descendants with German Prin
cesses has made the house thoroly Teu
tonic.