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

emains actually incompetent, and its political independence an empty form. If in this
respect Norway cannot raise itself to a suitable rank in relation to its neighbors, then it
could well be feared, that under a coming Scandinavian union, Denmark especially would
raise its old supremacy; --or more correctly, even without a union, the Danes would still
dominate us fundamentally.
Yet, we do not suppose that there is any danger; Norway has in its womb so many
material and spiritual powers, that when they only become conscientiously developed,
they will to be sure secure it an honorable and independent place beside its neighbor
countries. But Norway is still a young state, everything is only in its springing-forth;
before it can really develop itself to firm distinctiveness, it is indeed best, that at first for
the most part it conduct itself separately. Norway has accordingly for the moment no
reason to accelerate the Scandinavian union; it must on the contrary still desire a period of
preparation, before it can appear beside its neighbors in all situations with dignity, with
mature powers and with a firmly marked and consistent and articulate national spirit, and
not only from the first moment be able to make an incontestable claim to full recognition,
but also later continually to raise its position with honor. A closer association, which will
then precisely protect its independence, could perhaps, if it happened too soon, be
overwhelming and hinder the still slender shoots' characteristic development.
Accordingly--it may also really be the general sentiment among us--at first we take no
active step; but we do not hinder the free movement of the idea; we anticipate as a
possibility, even as a probability, that at some time it will be realized, and we use the
intervening time in order that it really can become to us a rich blessing, as according to its
nature it should be. This, we believe, is in any case a far more valuable mode of opinion,
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