American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1914-05-23
Missionary Letter
From Y. A. Field

All over the world. this week, the
centennial of Norway's independence is
being celebrated wherever Norwegans
aro found, 80 that the following letter
from Virgil Field, who is doing mis-
sionary work in Norway will be found
of interest.
Norway's Centennial
For 434 years previous to the year
lSl4. the history of Norway is much
that of Denmark. During that time
| norway was under the Danish King
and law, and the national personality
u the former was largely absorbed by
the latter.
During the Napoleonic wars Den
mark was an ally of Napoleon and
when Napoleon's fortunes went down
hIs allies were Inundated In like
manner.
| After the abdication of Napoleon by
| the Peace of kiel Norway was given to
sweaen as a consequence of Denmark $
sIuance with Napoleon. Later the con-
gress of Vienna. which set to work to
reaulust the affairs OF the continent,
sustained sweden In the possession OF
| norway In dividing up the available
territories recovered IRON Napoleon
| the congress took no account OF the
rights OF race and nationality but APP
pointed them among the various
soyerelgns like so many cattle.
however, that old viking" spirit,
which asserted itself so strongly In the
Garner days of European history, had
not yet disappeared, and the idea OF
being battered off like herd OF cattle
uid not appeal to Norway.
Accordingly, while the congress OF
Vienna was rearrCnging the national
boundary lines OF Europe, some of the
| leading spirits I'm Norway had con-
,ened ana were drawing up a nation
al constitution. which was modelled
largely after the American constitu-
ton, and has survived with but few
changes until the present time.
Whlie norway yet belonged t. Dem
mark the Danish King sent his near
est relative, Kustian t'redrik, as gov
ernor to Norway, and after the two
countries had separated he was chos-
en- king. The delegates who drew up
the constitution met In place called
'Eidsyold" and worked much under
the same conditions of poverty as the
authors of American independence,
and on the 18th day Of May, 1914, their
work was completed and signed by
kustian Fredrik. This date marks
the beginning of Norwegian indepcn-
dence and Is held just as sacredly
and loyalty as our own Fourth of July.
During the Continental wars the
commerce OF Europe was largely de-
moralized, and Norway being a mari
tire country suffered not the least
from this. For several yeas the
county had been in state of star
vatior, about the only available food
being bark-bread. Not n few had
starved to death, ard undor this state
4 of<ntirs. Norway prepared to defend
Hner new constitution.
| Karl Johan of Sweden, accordingly
prepared to coerce his newly ac-
quired subjects to acknowledge his
sovereignty and the two armies met
near the border. The war lasted Tor
a short time without much gain for
either side, but for fear that the pow
ers should again give Norway to Dem
mark, Karl Johan began negotiating
for peace. Norways resources were
about spent, and so the Treaty of
Moss" was drawn up. In this It was
agreed that Kustian Frodrik should
leave Norway and that Norway should
recognize Karl Johan as king, but
should have their own constitution
and parliament. This arrangement
subsisted for ninety years, or until
1905. but was the cause of continual
friction between the two countries
In 1905 Norway declared the union
dissolved, and choosing Ptince Charles
OF Denmark as king. became an In
dependent Kingdom. He assumed the
throne as "Haakon l." and was
crowned I'm Trondlyems Demkirke
dom church, In 1906.
This year, 1914. is the Tooth ami
versary of Norwegian independence
and the country is preparing a big
celebration In the shape of a centennial
exposition. The exposition will be at
Christiania, the capital, and Judging
from the preparations being made,
bids fair to do justice to the occa-
sion
This In brief is the history Of Nor
ways struggle for independence,
the memory of which is so dear
to her native sons. IL is the
history OF nearly every other coun-
try at the same stage of their
development, and she values not the
least those blessings and privileges
obtained for her by the life and blood
of her forefathers The people love
their fatherland, and the national
spirit is imprinted on their coin with
the words "Alt for Norge"
| " EJEI N