True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-03-22
THE GEAR DEATH-HIS SUCCESS.
SOR,

TdE CLAh UEAId-d1o oUCCEo.
E0R.
The dissolution of British Ministry, a
French coup d'etat, or a revolutionary
movement in Europe, working great chan
ges at home, are to us, events rather at
tracing our curiosity than exciting any
other feeling. But such an event as that
Of which we have intelligence by the Af
rica--the death of the Gear of the Russias
is startling, and gives place to various
speculations, as to its influence upon the
policy to be pursued by Russia in the
Turkish war.
Nicholas was born on the 9th day Of
July, 1896, and was, at the period of his
death, in his ffty-ninth year. The third
son of the Emperor Paul, by the law Of
that country, he became Emperor upon
the death of Alexander-the Grand Duke
Constantine, his elder brother, having
aold his birthrigM for divorce from his
wife, from whom he had separated. In
his personal he was fitted for his part, be-
ing tall in stature, in appearance imposing,
and having an uncommonly handsome face
Never was monarch more so in appearance.
His gait indicated great strength and pow
sr although by no means graceful. He
was, in his habits, abstemious and regular.
and never gave way to those sensual ex-
Oesses Of the passions too common among
those who pretend to rule "by divine
right" His early education, and especi-
ally his religious, was extended, and came
from the lips and guardianship of devo-
ted and intelligent mother. He studied
diligently the military art to the almost
utter neglect of the more important affairs
Of government. But it seems to have ex-
tended in practice, no farther than in
imposing military pageants and displays.
We believe he never had the credit of
having any knowledge of civil affairs-nor
yet Of any skill in the military art. He
was a man of terror. He came to the
throne in 1925, during one of the most
terrible revolts which has fallen to the
times of the Romanoffs. 1t he subdued
efectually, and by the same means which
has enabled him to retain his authority
and extend his sway over the tribes Of
the Caucasus and Georgia. This striking
characteristic was illustrated by an Incl
dent in the Polish war of 1881. The chol
era prevailed to very alarming extent al
the same time-and the peasants believing
that the disease had been caused by poi
son thrown into the wells by the Poles
arose in large numbers, and from $4,000
to 100000, in body, paraded the streets
Of the capital, and assassinated every for
eigner whom they CHANGED to meet
While things were thus, Nicholas with
hundred Cossacks, scarcely, passed through
the immense crowd to its centre, and, vs
suming the mien of a conqueror and supe
rior-in his sonorous voice, and in tone
Of thunder, cried-"Down upon you
knees! Upon your knees ask pardol
from your God-you must expect non
from me !" As if by magic power, tn
excitement passed away, and the terrific
crowds dispersed. And so by terror an
BY appeals, to the superstition of his pee
pie, as the vicegerent of God, he ha
achieved the reputation of one of tn
greatest of the house of Romanoff, and 9
the first sovereign of Europe. The GU
rent report is, that he died of apoplexy
and SO was it said of his father, the En-
pCror Paul-who, in fact, died by tn
hand of assassins, with whom was league
his son Constantine.
Nicholas being the surviving brother
the Emperor Alexander, his eldest SON
the Grand Duke Alexander, becomes b
successor. He was born on the Goth di
Of April, 1919, and comes to the thror
in the vigor of manhood. Instead of ii
sternness of his father, he is mild in di
position. lie is thoroughly Russian
feeling, and will do more for Russian Ii
erature and learning than any of his pr
deceSsors. Whether he can or will a
sumo the terrifying energy and Sternne
of his father, and will endeavor still fa
ther to extend the despotism of the kno
and pursue the ambitious path of conque
in which the Romanoffs have trodden, a
problems to be solved by the future onl
II Alexander proves to be such an aut
crnt as Nicholas was, then the policy
Russia in her present complications W
depend upon his .fat
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n6cOn the 10th Section of the Ste