Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-24
The Rumored Death of Nicholas of Russia.

death, circulated as it was in England just as
the steamer was about leaving Liverpool, with
| out giving time to confirm its authenticity or
to show its faIsehood The doubters class it
with the kng rumors of the fall of SebastopOl
and the assassination of the Emperor of the
French, which, not very long since, had short
currency among us. 1t is WELL no doubt, to
withhold absolute credit from all rumors of an
important nature coming to us under such
circumstances till the proofs of their truth
arrive but it is proper to remark that the
death of Nicholas at any time within the last
six months, has been much more likely to hap
pen than the taking of Sebastopol, or the
assassination of Napoleon the Third If Mich
olas has not been cut off, as is said by pull
monary apopexy, the authors of the rumor
had the skill to choose for him the most pro
bable mode of death. A figure, which seemed
ready to burst from the tight garments in which
it was swathed, a short neck, an nfamed coun-
tcnance and CLASSY eyes, were premontions of
apopleXy, which no one would be much surpris-
priSed at seeing fulfilled The anxieties of the
great struggle in which the ambition to extend
his dominions had engaged him, first with
Turkey, then with France and England, and
next, one by one, with other European powers.
all of whom were likely to be drawn into the
league against him. must have wrought power
fully upon such physical conformation. He
was born on the sixth of July, in the year
1876, and was therefore, not very far from
sixty years of age, time of life in which a
temperament like his is apt to give way under
strong physical or mental excitement He had
embarked in an undertaking on which he had
staked the integrity of his empire, with all its
mighty resources, and which could leave him
no repose till he had either added European
Turkey, with its magnificent capital to his
dominiOns or until he had seen some of his
fairest provinces wrested from him and his
empire reduced to power of the second rank
That he should be taken off by an apopletic
stroke in the midst of these projects and dangers,
is no more improbable in itself than that the
same thing should happen to Prime Minister
of England
If Nicholas has, in fact departed this life,
| his place is filled by his eldest son Alexander,
the hereditary Grand Duke, who was born on
the 29th of April, 1918, and is, therefore,
nearly thrty-seven years of age, a time of life
in which the character may be supposed to be
fully formed. His mother, a sister of the
rcigning king of Prussia, is celebrated for the
gentleness of her disposition and manners, and
| the beneficial influence she had through life
exerted over her stern and passionate husband.
The son is said to inherit the amabe and
winning manners of the Empress. He is des-
cribed as of commanding height, fat and round
faced, looking rather like a German than
Russian, his physiogomy expressing rather the
dreamy quietude Of the German character than
the distempered and cruel energy of his father
He married German princess in lS4l and
has several children
In what manner the Second Alexander of
Russia is likely to hold the reigns of govern
ment, and whether he will strictly follow the
policy and endeavor to execute the plans Of
his father are questions on which it is almost
idle to speculate. Considering the age he has
reached, and the difference of temperament be-
tween him and his father, it would not be at
all strange if he had his own views of the pro-
per policy Of the Russian government, and his
own circle of counsclorS But if this were So
and if he were somewhat inclined to liberal
ideas, it does not follow these ideas will
accompany him when he ascendS the throne
Many an heir to monarchy puts off his liberal
ism when he puts on the crown. If the here
ditary prince Of Russia possesses the quiet
temperament ascribed to him, he will find it
easier to govern according to a system the
principles Of which are already established
: by long course of precedcnts, and the organi-
zation Of which moves smoothly in a beaten
track, than to introduce changes and try eX-
permcnts.
For thirty years Nicholas has governed Rus
sia according to the stricteSt maxims of abso-
lutiSm. He has not been Indifferent to the
civilization of his people on the contrary, he
has desired to elevate the condition of the
humber claSSerS. but always in such a manner
as should consist with the preservation of all
the powers of the government, both nominal
and actual He has desired to civiliZe the
country in such a manner as should exclude
the action of public opinion upon the gov
eriment, aud prevent the people from ques-
tioning the wisdom of its commands and the
propriety of obedience, even in their hearts,
He has always regarded with a certain con-
tempt the other governments of Europe in
which the sovereign finds himself sometimes
compelled to defer to the public WILL as recog-
nsing two sources of power inconsistent with
each other, and as resting upon an insecure
compromise between despotism and liberty.-
In whatever he may have done to civizc his
people, he has allowed no partnership of indi-
vidual cooperation; that the people, as they
must look to no other master, may also see no
other benefactor than the government If his
reign has closed, the principle of absolutism has
lost its most rigid interpreter in the civilized
world, as well as the man who enforced it most
remorselessly, cruelty and ably.
Whether the heir of Nicholas is likely to be
swaved by his uncle of Prussia to more pacific
counsels than prevailed with his father, is a
question which gives some room for conjecture.
The Prussian monarch had no influence over
Nicholas, and even stood in awe Of him. We
are vet to see whether his wishes, which are
supposed to be in favor of peace, will have any
effect upon the milder temper of his son.
Ereaing Post.