The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-08-20
Hundred Years Tomorrow Since
Frenchman Was Chosen Crown
Prince Of Sweden and Sue
ceeded to Throne
CELEBRATION N near FUTURE
Life History of Founder of the Reign
ing Dynasty is interesting and
Briliiant-Was Friend
Of Napoleon

Stockholm, Aug. 2O.-It will be one
hundred years tomorrow since Jean
Baptiso Jules Bernadottee, the son of
town of Pau, France, was chosen
crown prince of Sweden, to become
the successor OF Charless Kill, who
had no children. This important his
torical event, which was the beginn-
ing of the Bernadotte dynasty. still
celebrated on the actual day of the
anniversary, had it not been for the
death of King Edward VII, which in
volved the observance of the custom
airy period of mourning Extensive
preparations for the celebration, how
ever, have been made, nevertheless,
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 Bernadotte was born i'm
Pau. France, on January 26, 1854. His
father was poor lawyer and wanted
his son to follow the law. But tho
profession held little attraction for
the ambitious and dashing youth. He
decided to become a soldier and, in
1880 enlisted i'm the royal marines.
When the French revolution broke
out, Bernadptte Joined the revolu
tionists and became a power i'm their
councils. He was one of the soldiers
who assisted at the execution OF
Louis. In view of his later career IL
is rather odd. that upon his death
there was found. tattooed upon his
right arm picture of the guillotine
and beneath II the legend i'm French,
Death to all Kings and Tyrants."
His Career Brilliant
With the restoration of order I'm
France came Napoleon, who quickly
recognized the brilliant talents of
Bernadotte. The young soldier ad-
vanced rapidly and I'm 1898 he became
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 Bonaparte went to
Egypt, Bernadotte was appointed
minister of war. He reorganized the
whole French army and paved the
way for the conquest of Holland. III.
also distinguished himself i'm the bat.
tie of Austerlitz. Napoleon, although
jealous of his brilliant marshal, re
warded him wifi vast estates and
created him Prince of Ponte Corvo.
Bernadotte had so distinguished
himself In northern Europe and had
shown himself q man cf such wisdom
and strength and character that the
attention of Sweden was racted to
him when IL became ne ,ssary to
elect n successor to the throne. Char
les XIII. who was then upon the
throne, had no children and his pros
pcctive heir the Prince of August
enburg, had died suddenly. leaving
no heir. SO, the Swedish states. on
August 21, 1910 elected Bernadotte
heir to the throne Napoleon hesitat-
ed for some time with giving his con-
sent to his acceptance by his marshal
of the high honor offered him. But
Bernadotte was determined to accept
and Napoleon finally gave in.
People Loyal to Him
Bcrnadotte 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 crown
and in 1913 joined the grand alliance
against Napoleon. II was the Swedish
contingent which virtually decided
the battle against the French at Leip-
zig. Bernadotte proved himself great
benefactor to Sweden. He built roads,
encouraged industry and brought the
people to fine state of prosperity.
He was never popular, for he never
learned to speak the Swedish IAN
guage, but the people appreciated ms
merits and remained loyal to him, ar
ter he succeeded to the throne on Feb
ruary 5. 1918.
While he was still a young officer
in the French army. Bernadotte, In
179S had married Mile Clary, the
younger and accomplished daughter
of a Marsejlles stock broker. She had
been Tilted by Napoleon and never
forgave him To her dying day. Her
elder sister. was the wife of Joseph
Bonaparte.
Regretted His Marriage
Bernadotte, who reigned under the
name of Charles John XIV, although
himself of low birth never forgave
his wife her humble descent. He often
expressed regret that he had not
waited few years with his marriage
as he then could have had his choice
among the princesses OF Europe. They
only had one child, son who married