The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-04-14
From the New York Courier and Enquirer.
Tho Late Gear.


Maria Feodorowna of Wurtemburg. and was
born on the 25th Of June, 1896, at Gatshina.
near ST Petersburg Imperial historians call
din the eighth sovereign of the house Of RO
manof who has ruled in Russia. Others call
him the eighth sove:e ign of the Holstein; Gotorp
Dynasty, which is of German descent At the
time OF his tirth and for years afterward, there
was but little sign of the high destiny which
awaited him. Two elder brothers, the Grand
Duke Alexander and the Grand Duke Constan-
tine. were Immediately between him and the
throne, and prospectively were their issue.
which might cut him off forever. He was four
years old when bis father, Paul, assembled the
throne. He with his brother, Michael, recev-
ed bis education under the immediate superin-
tendence of his mother. The first event OF his
youth which stamped itself with terror on his
memory, was the murder of his father. Pau.
On he fearful night when that tragedy occurred
his mother caught up the two young Princes in
her arms, and amid the clash of weapons and
the confused voice of alarm in the palace, she
ran through the corridors leading to the apart
meLts of the Emperor, whtr. she was stopped
and forced back by one of the conspii ators. In
the meantime, the Emperor was strangled with
a scarf by the hands of assassins, and AleXan-
der was proclaimed Emperor The ensuing day.
The first years of the reign Ct Alexander
were SO full of stirring events, that the private
history of his younger brothers, Nicholas and
Michael, remains in measure unrecOrded-
Their education was eventually entrusted to
tutors, both native and foreign. who instructed
them in the sciences AID in the French and
German languages. In the acquisition Of mod
ern languages, Nicholas exhibtt some adroit-
ness, while he was passiOnately fond of music,
and even composed, it is said, several parade
marches. The demeanOr of Nicholas is sad to
have been cold and reserved in his youth to
those around him, even to his mother when he
had first passed the bounds of childhood and be-
gan to understand his real position in the impe-
rial palace. He early manifested a love Of
martial studies, particularly the ordinary rou-
tines of feldmuster discipline. The youth OF
Nicholas was what may be said to be moral. In
the gallant Court of his brother, the Emperor
Alexander, he appears to have kept himself
marveliously free from intr CUES. and to have
concentrated all his pleasures on military exer-
cises and amusements. In 1914 Nicholas lett
the Court of his brother for tour abroad. He
visited France. Germany England and other
countries. and returned home early in 1917.
On the 18th of July, 1917, being then hardly
twenty-one years OF age, he married Maria
Charlotte. eldest daughter of the late King OF
Prussia The bride was about two years young
er than the bridegroom. The marriage was
solemnized at st. Petersburgh, and the BRIDE
in accordance with Russian law, although she
came of Protestant family, adopted the Greek
religion, and with it the Christian names of
Alexandra Feodorowna. The marriage is said
to have been one of love on both sides although
there ives doubtless, political expediency min
gled with it. There was a great similarity he
tween them not only in the majesty Of person,
but also of mind and character. At the time
of his marriage Nicholas held the military
rank of head inspec tor of Engineers in the SER
vice of his brother, the Emperor, but he was
not admitted to the Council table when polit-
cal and diplomatic questions we're discussed,
and his sphere OF operation was confined to mere
garrison service. Nicholas felt bis subordinate
position and lived with his wife, retired from
the Court, domestic man. deriving his happi-
ness in performing the part OF q husband and
father in such a manner that the example of
himself and wife has been cited as a model of
domestic bliss. His eldest son. Alexander Mic
olaiwitch, was born one year after marriage
In 1919 followed the birth of his second child,
the Grand Duchess Maria; in 1922 that of the
Grand Duchess Olga.
Alexander died December LIST, 1925. The
news arrived at the Winter Palace, where the
Imperial family were assembled in the chapel
to render thanks for the messages received the
previous day. announcing the cOnvalesceuce of
the Gar. 1t was Nicholas who received the ia.
tai news, he only of three brothers then being
resident in st. Petersburg. 1t was suppose d by
The Russian people that the Grand Duke Con-
stantine, the next brother in age to A exander.
{the latter having died without any direct her)
would succeee to the throne. But Constantine
had some years previously resigned his claim in
favor of Nicholas, the fact being only known to
The Empress-mOther.
Before the news of Alexanders death was
bruited in the streets of ST. Petersburg. Nicho.
las obtained a brief interview with the Empress
mother. What passed at this interview is not
known Immediately afterwards Nicholas re-
paired to the Senate Palace to take the oath
Of allegiance to his brother Constantine The |
State Council replied by appealing to sealed |
packets deposited by Alexander with the Sem |
ate to he opened after his death. The packet |
was found to be the resignation of Constantine |
addressed to Alexander, letter of Alexander
asserting thereto, and decree which gave the |
throne to Nicholas.
Nicholas was then invited to seat at the State
Council, but he answered that he had no right
to sit there as he was not member of the COun
ell. but he was ready to receive any commune
cation which they might have to make at his |
winter palace. To the palace the Council ac-
cordinaly repaired, and were about to take the |
oath Of allegiance to him. when he refused to |
receive it until his elder brother had signified |
to him his determination to resign. After
lapse OF fourteen days. during which all the
official acts OF the government were performed
id the name of the Emperor Constantine. Mich |
Olas received the news of his brother s refusal
of the throne, and on the oath of December.
1925, be formally accepted the government.
He fixed. however. December LIST. the day on |
which Alexander died. as the commencement of |
his reign conspiracy was the first greeting
which Nicholas received at the very moment he |
seated himself on the throne and the PROMPT. !
ness. daring and energy with which he met and |
quelled it, Swallowed forth the determined char |
acter which he has since exhibited. We need |
not repeat the details--a portion of the army |
revolted and refused allegiance. Nicholas used |
mild measures at first, but when they were |
found to be of no avail, few shots of the. can |
non did the rest and throwing down their arms |
the RI lis who had survived the fire, begged for |,
mercy. Some Of the leaders were hung, some |
sent to Siberia, while the punishment of q few |
was of lighter character.
From that day forward, Nicholas. Gear of
Russia, has been firmly seated on his throne
How he has governed, how he has improved on
the absolute sovereignty of his predecessors.
until now more than ever all its people are but
one mighty piece of human machinery moved
and controlled by his will alone, we need not
here relate Neither is it necessary for us TO
enter into the events of his reign and the causes
OF the present war, 10 the midst of the blaze of
which. if reports are true, he who lighted the
fire expires,
SPECULATIoN.-Many years ago man named
VIM. Bennett entered half quarter section Of
land in South Chicago He was afterwards
compelled to leave the State for some crime.
Rumor said he was in the Missouri Penitentia.
~. and many efforts have been made to find
him hv those who faeirod IN ~. Ill