The Trinity times., 1855-04-28
The Late Emperor of Russia.

Az AtVO xIAA ApCAOl VI INloSlds
Nicholas Romanoff Cor Paulovitch) was
the third son of the Emperor Paul the First,
and Maria FevdOrowna and was born in 1896,
the year in which the notorious Empress
Catharine brcathed her last. The greater
part of his education was received from his
mother, and an excellent woman and when
as the Grand Duke Nicholas, he had attain
ed his majority, he was, by concurrent testi-
mony, one of the most accomplished princes
IN Europe. When quite a young man he
was united to sister of the present King of
Prussia, and at the time he ascended the
throne December, 1920 was the father Of
y numerous family.
lie did not succeed to empire in regular
order. His elder brother, Constantine,
should have been Gar after Alexander; but
the former, knowing his unpopularty with
the masses and the army, thought it best to
resign the dangerous ennence.
Nicholas had no sooner found himself pos
sessed of the imperial dignity, than formid-
able conspiracy was directed against him.
lie succeeded in beating it down, however.
This conspiracy was peculiar in its nature.-
Many conspiraces had already disturbed tho
quiet Of Russia, but they, without exception,
were based on tho ambition Tor despotic rule,
and, as such, were only partisan. But the
conspiracy that Nicholas had to confront in
the first days of his sovereignty, was dicta-
ted by desire for a constitutional govern
ment.
After he had quelled the revolt Nicholas
set himself TO work, with the view of ingra-
tlating himself with his people. Hitherto,
the noRes had exercised formidable sway
at times, dangerous even to the throne. Tho
young Emperor realized his desire in a two
fold manner. lie enfranchised thousands Of
seris from arlstocratc sway, reserving propri-
etorship to himself. The mobiles were thus
deprived of their right arm of power, and
the obedience of the seris guaranteed, for
Nicholas took care to make his rule lighter
than that of their Former masters
1t has been the common error of writer's
on Russia, to speak Of the late Car as
friend of arstocracy. Nothing can be fur
ther from tho truth. He was its Tost i'm
placabe foe. Not content with depriving his
princes, counts and barons, of their chef
source of power and riches, he left no oppor-
tunity untred Of degrading them, and woun-
ding their feelings. lie drew UP a scale Of
ranks, in which the noble, instead of finding
himself the first in degree, as usual saw that
the thirteenth only had been accorded to him
"a degree which included a sub-leutenant
of artillery.
Nicholas gained his ends by these means.
The population Of Russia almost worshipped
him. Con9escending in his manners, pro-
fusely liberal in the expenditure of money,
sudden and unannounced in his visits to far
distant parts of his doninions, n supersti-
tous prestige accompanied him wherever ho
went.
1t is not our intention to touch upon the
policy of the Emperor Nicholas in the war
with Poland. That policy has long ago re-
coiyed, as il deserved, the condemnation Of
civilized mankind. We have something to
say, however, in connection with the Car and
and the present Struggle in Europe.
The acquisition OF Turkey had long been
dazzling object with Nicholas. The pres
sure for the linrc Of questions more affecting
the interior policy of his dominions, doubt
less prevented any active manifestation Of
this mania, until tranquility at home and
the spPPoSe9 conaivance of France and Eng
land, hinted that the hour to strike the great
blow had arrived.
Under the impression that his hands would
be strengthened In the conquest of the Otto
man Empire, Nicholas went TO London in
1874. Sir Robert Peel was then premier,
and Aberdeen foreign minister. Ii not irom
Sir Robert at least from the Earl, the Empe-
ror received ilaitering promises; and to
these promises, the manifest leaning towards
Russia at the commencement of hostilities
between the late potentatc and the Sultan,
much, if not all Of the calanities identified
with the war in the Crimea have to be at
tributed.
No doubt can exist in the mind Of any man
who %new the character Of Nicholas, that,
had he been spared, he would have carried
on the war TO the last His death most like
ly will induce turn in affairs, as his son and
successor alexander Il.) is a prince Of pacif-
ic policy and liberal tendencies.