cultural resources in henrik ibsen's early environment - Ibsen.net

initiated above lead more closely only to a firm, unshakeable alliance in war and peace
between the three Scandinavian nations, living together mutually and reciprocally, with
common interests and cooperation, as far as the separate nations' independence can
permit. Since this appears to us clear, that there cannot be talk here about any
amalgamation.
The general consideration initiated above has shown that our time's striving for
unity has originated precisely from, or has in any case developed itself in inseparable
connection with an opposite tendency, a tendency to separate and divide, a tendency
which aims at allowing every individuality, every real distinctive feature, to receive its
full rights. In this way an adequate counterweight is given, and the self-creating unity is
protected from merging in a loose-jointed dull clump. It can be added, that the
aforementioned principle of separation in particular seems to belong to the Scandinavian
tribe; it is perhaps one of this tribe's most important duties to maintain the eternal
justification of the individual. The enterprise of independence is too deeply ingrained in
the Scandinavian's whole mind, that he in any way should relinquish it. Evidence of this
is furnished by, for example, the energy which the Norwegians have shown to maintain
their independence from Sweden--truly a heroic struggle, which even so has not made the
union with this kingdom looser or weaker. As a consequence of the same principle one
can note our present arrangement with executive committees; which despite the
difficulties that perhaps in the beginning it can have entailed, yet must be regarded as a
happy sign of the times.
On the whole the Scandinavian countries' scattered geographical position and
most highly differentiated natural situation show already that they are not determined to
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