Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-14

NJ elected as constituent assembly and
sitting at Eidsvold This constitution
s still in force and barring the constitution of the
united States is now the oldest written organic law
of any sovereign nation The subsequent union with
Sweden and the dissolution of that union years
ago, necesstated but few changes in the instrument
framed at Edsvold in 1914.
So enthusiastic were the Norwegian people over
the sublime courage exhibited by their representa-
tives that rejoicing general all the kingdom
Mrs. Jonas B. Wangberg of Omaha still has in her
possession vest worn by her grandfather almost 100
years ago. All the cloth, and woven into it on
the loom is the word Constitution" in gilt letters,
which are plain today as when first printed This
vest was during the celebrations at Trondhjem
where the kings of Norway have been crowned and
many of them buried, for centuries past.
That the people of Norway had Just cause to re-
Joce and to be proud of the work of their constitu
tion-makers will be realized when recall something
OF the conditions existing in Europe that time The
Norwegian charter of liberty was born amid storm
and stress writer in Scandinavian published at
Chicago. thus epitomizes the situation at that tme
People Refused to Be Sold.
1.-THE united kingdom of Denmark and Norway
had cast its lot with Napoleon When his defeat at
Leipzig foreshadowed his early downfall the powers
Of Europe decreed that Norway should be separated
from Denmark and ceded to Sweden. The Danish
Norwegian king compelled to bow to the verdict.
But the people of Norway would not be sold. They
knew that under the law of nations their country was
now left without any entangling alliances without
any royal house to claim the crown--absolutey free
and of right the mistress of her destiny. She
was not prepared for a great struggle. The popua-
ton small less than a million souls and the peo-
pie were weak; the financial system disorganzed
and the currency bad and famine stalked abroad in
the land result of bad crops and the English
blockade of all the seaports of Norway. The armies
of Napoleon scattered the councils of Eu-
rope absolutsm was supreme and might was right.
I'm the face of such overwhelming difficulties and
dangers the people unanimously resolved to shape
their own destiny and elected representa- to a
constituent assembly. With the thunder from the
mighty struggles in continental Europe reverberating
among their mountains these worthy of the best
traditions OF their took up their task with a
stern determination to do die"
Thus, when proclaimed, the organic law Of Norway
was gift of free people to>themselves. Through
all the vcissudes of fateful centuries the freebooter
OF Norway remained free man, king of his manor
and when 1t sounded the historic call Of 1914 found
him strong and ready and equal to the task.
Like American Constitution.
The fact is noted by Norwegian writer's that the
lawmakers at Edsvold familiar with the famous
work OF MontesQieu Gespit des lois), the free
situations that had but recently been adopted in
America, France and Spain, and with the constitutional
practices Of England well. The Eidsvold law, like
the constitution of the United States incorporates the
lative, the judicial and the executive The preroga-
tlves Of the'law-making power guarded with
pedal The adoption OF the principle of minis
terial responsibility the Parliament is probably tine
most important change that has been made, because
OF subsequent changes in government, The right of
suffrage been gradually extended and the fran
cbise is now universal for men and women.
Again quoting Skandnaven: "Norwegians who
have citizens OF the United States and their
descendants take pride in the liberty and laws OF Nor
way. AS loyal American citizens they celebrate
Norways day OF freedom because the 18th of May end
the Fourth OF July symbolic the same principles and
teach the lessons OF government and citizenship
Every Norwegian who lands shores comes
schooled in the rights and duties of popular
meDt To him the change of country does not involve
a change OF social governmental system. The red,
white blue flag of America and the red white and
blue flag Norway both alike represent popular lib
erty and Justice Hence, IL he is good Norwegian
he will become a good American"
Along the same line the address OF former
President Roosevelt, made TO the king and queen Of
Norway the time OF HIS reception at their capital
on his return from Africa;
There many and close ties which bind the
people OF my country to the people Of yours We
have many Norwegian immigrants, and we have found