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

What, then, has Norway in particular to do with respect to the Scandinavian Idea?
First and foremost, not to be afraid of it, as something which will be dangerous to its
independence, should it not be altogether as "politically innocent" in its deepest
foundation as at first glance it appears. The idea of Scandinavian union would be
dangerous only if Norway did not possess strength enough to assert itself beside the
neighbor states, if it were not able to behave with perfect dignity in the confederation. By
that, then, is already suggested, what first and foremost must be the purpose of the
Norwegian nation's endeavors, what there actually is for us to do; that is, namely,
precisely as much as possible to liberate ourselves from all undue dependence, to give our
independence and all our spiritual as well as material powers the highest possible degree
of harmonious development. Let the industries struggle forward, as far as the country's
nature will permit; let the military power and a true warrior spirit rise; let science and art
be pursued with zeal and enthusiasm; let the whole national spirit be steadily more and
more developed and strengthened, by recalling the forefathers' proud customs and
achievements; truly, it shall then be felt that our neighbors do not need us less than we
them, and Norway's independence in the union will then be sufficiently secure, and by the
union doubly secure against every foreign molestation. As far as the industries are
concerned, the matter speaks for itself; with respect to the military power, is it bad to
neglect it now, because for the moment we have peace. The war will reach us to be sure,
and perhaps before we suspect it, and woe to us, if it meets us unprepared! The
Scandinavian kingdoms would come to need all the power they could summon, and
considerations of their possible union should sharpen our zeal even more in this respect,
for once to be able to contribute a not contemptible addition to the common defensive
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