As we expected last week, the Union between Sweden and
Norway has been dissolved. That is to say, the Norwegian Storthing, after a debate of hours conducted with great dignity and moderation, resolved on Wednesday that as all the members of the Ministry had resigned their offices, and as the King admitted lie could find no other, "the Royal power has ceased to be in function," and the Union with Sweden is dissolved. In an address to the King, passed by 112 votes out of a total of 117, the Storthing repudiates all hostility either to Sweden or to the house of Bernadotte, and requests his Majesty to allow a Prince of his house to accept the vacant throne. This request, it is understood, will probably be rejected; but there will be no war, and Norway will become an independent Monarchy under a new dynasty. Many Norwegians are said to be anxious to elect a British or Danish Prince; but it is possible that the final choice will be made in Germany, the German Emperor being, it is said, regarded by a - section of the Norwegian population as the first of Princes. King Oscar has protested, and the Swedish aristocracy are angry, but there is no sign of popular movement in Sweden ; and it is probable that this revolution, though it may have important consequences, will be carried through without bloodshed as a peaceful though momentous act of State. The great difficulty of the Nor- wegian statesmen, who are Republicans but deprecate a
Republic, will be to find a Prince who is contented with a modest Civil List, and the still more modest share of power which the new State can secure to its new dynasty.
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