The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-08-20
bERNADOTTE GEN.
TENN|A[
All Sweden Joining in Cele-
bration of Accession
of BernadOtte.

Sun vi an lmpecunlOuS lawyer in the
little town of Pau, France, was
CHOSEN crown prince of Sweden, to
become the successor of Charles XIII
who had no children This import
ant historical event, which was the
beginning of the Bernadottc dynasty
still reigning in Sweden, would have
been celebrated on the actual day of
the anniversary, had it not been for
the death of King Edward VII,
which involved the observance of the
customary period of mourning Ex-
tensive preparations for the celebra-
ton, however, have been made, new
ertheless, and the jubilee will be
observed in the near future.
The life history of Bernadotte, the
founder Of the reigning dynasty of
Sweden is unusually interesting and
brilliant. Bernardotte was born in
Pau, France, on January &c, 1854
His father was poor lawyer and
wanted his son to follow the law
But the profession held little attrac-
ton for the ambitious and dashing
youth. He decided to become a SOL
der and, in 1880 enlisted in the
| royal marines. When the French
| revolution broke out, Bernadotte
Joined the revolutionosts and became
a power in their councils. He was
the execution of Louis. In view of
his later career it is rather odd that,
upon his death, there was found
tattooed upon his right arm a picture
of the guillotine and beneath it is
the legend in French Death to all
Kings and Tyrants.
With the restoration of order in
France came Napoleon, who quickly
recognized the brilliant talents of
BernadOtte. The young soldier adj
vanced rapidly. and in 1898 he be-
came a general of brigade He
developed a gift for diplomacy and
was sent as ambassador to the court
| of Vienna, where he distinguished
himself by his ability. When Bona
parte went to Egypt, Bernadotte was
appointed minister of war. He also
distinguished himself in the battle of
Austerlitz. Napoleon, although jeai-
Gus of his brilliant marshal, reward
ed him with vast estates and created
him Prince of Corvo.
Bernodotte had so distinguished
himself in northern Europe and had
shown himself man of such wisdom
and strength or character that the
attention of Sweden was attracted
to him when it became necessary to
elect successor to the throne.
Charles XIII who was then upon
the throne had no children and his
prospective heir, the Prince of Aug
ustenburg. had died suddenly leav-
| ing no heir. So the Swedish states
on August 81, 1910 elected Berna-
dotte hair to the throne. Napoleon
hesitated for some time with giving
his consent to the acceptance by the
marshal of this high honor conferred
upon him. But Bcrnadotte was de-
termined to accept and Napoleon f.
nally gave in.
BernadOtte went at once to Sweden
and for eight years was associated
with Charles XIII in all affairs of
| the government. He helped to unite
Sweden and Norway under one flag
and in 1913 Joined the grand alli-
ance against Napoleon. 1t was the
Swedish contingent which virtually
| decided the battle against the French
at Leipzig Bernadotte proved him.
self great benefactor to Sweden.
He built roads, encouraged industry
and brought the people to a fine
state of prosperity. He was never
popular, for he never learned to use
the Swedish language, but the people
appreciated his merits and remained
loyal to him, after he succeeded to
the throne on February 5,1S1S:
While he was still a young Off
Ger in the French army, Bernadotte,
in 1898 had married Mile. Clary.
the younger and accomplished
daughter of a Marseilles stock bro
ker. She had been Tilted by Napo-
leon and never forgave him to her
dying day. Her elder sister was
the wife Of Joseph Bonaparte.
Bernadotte, who reigned under
the name of Charles John XIV, al
though himself of low birth, never
forgave his wife her humble des-
cent. He often expressed the regret
that he had not waited few years
with his marriage, as he then could
have had his choice among the prin-
cesses of Europe. They only had one
child, a son who married Josephine
de Beauharnais, and upon his &C
cesSion to the throne took the name
of Oscar l. After a reign Of eight
cen years Oscar was compelled by
mental weakness to entrust his scep-
ter to his oldest son, Charles, who
was made regent. After the death