Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-01-07
RUSSIA THE LIGHT OF oFPRopHECY

DER 10, 1000, we notice the following lt1p0r-
tant historical facts, in an article in reference
to the recent magnificent and imposing coro-
nation of Alexander, the present Gear of Rus
sia, touching the relation the Gar of Russia
sustains to the Roman Caesars. The facts are
thus given
:sThe several thrones and chairs. some of
historical interest-which are kept in the trea-
Handbook OF NorthernEurope Many thrones
are also to be seen in the rooms, amongst them
may be mentioned that of Ivan Vassillevitch
of carved ivory and Greek workmanship, pre-
sented to him by the Greek ambassadors who
accompanied from Rome to Moscow the Prin-
cess Sophia, whom he demanded in marriage.
This lady was the daughter of Thomas Paleol-
ogus Porphrygenitas,- brother to Constantine
Pacologus, who died in 1853, alter seeing his
empire fall into the hands Of the Turks. BY
this marriage Ivan III: considered himself the
heir of Constantine and took the title of Gar.
the meaning of which is Caesar; and thus, it
is, perhaps that subsequent emperors, down
to the present time, have shown feeling of
acquistivencss towards that paradise on earth,
Stamboul.'
Much has been written by certain students
of prophecy relative to the present legal heir
TO the throne of the Caesars. Nothing. how
ever has fallen under notice which has amoun-
ted to reliable evidence touching this impor-
tant point, till the above historical facts came
under our observation. Unless some other in
diyidual can establish better caim-which
is not probable-this fact most conclusiveIy
proves that the Car of Russia is the legal heir
10 The throne Of Ae Roman Cesars. If an heir
to their throne, then it follows that he is an
heir TO their city or cif.eS,-Constantinople
Rome. and the whole Roman earth
These facts afford very satisfactory solu-
tion of the long and unchanged hereditory pol
icy of the Russian monarchs to wrest Constsn-
tinoplc from the Turk, or s'that paradise on
earth, Stamboul,'' as the historian calls that
city. Their right TO all that pertains to the
Roman world seems to be twofold, namely,
spiritual and legal. Spiritual, from the fact
that the religion of the cross first prevailed in
the Greek Empire, although subsequently sup
pressed 10y the idolatrous Turks to exalt in its
place the religion of the Koran. Legal, be-
cause as the foregoing facts demonstrate that
according to an acknowledged and long es-
tablished law of hereditary descent among the
dynasties of ancient and modern times the
throne of the Caesars legally belongs to the
Gear of Russia.
By virtue of this right, "Ivan III. consider
ed himself the heir of Constantine, and took
the title of Gar" or Cesar. In view of these
facts, well might the writer say, ssthat su5se-
qucnt empcrors, down TO the present time,
have shown a feeling of acquisitiyeness to-
wards the paradise on earth, Stamboul. -
Doubtless they consider that they have a legal
right TO the ancient abode of their renowned
predecessors, and it would be unreasonable 20
suppose they will ever rclinquish that right !
Will they regain the city which they covet, the
throne to which they are the legal heirs, and
the 'smany countries" over which they claim
the right to supreme rule ? They certainly
will if it is in their poirer. And that they are
in fair way to accomplish this mighty work,
appears evident from the facts in the case,
some of which we gave in speaking on the pre-
sent character of Russia in our previous issue.
We have shown in that article that while Rus
sia is becoming mighty for the conquest of
the Inheritance of the Caesars, the present oc-
cupants Of that empire are becoming weak and
| ready to be conquered. Prophecy fully justi-
| ies this conclusion hence the inheritance of
the Roman Caesars will eventually be posses
scd by the legal heir, the Gear of Russia.
In consulting Gibbon on this highly impor-
tant subject, (yol. w., PIP. 35i-35S, Harper's
edtion) we learn that Constantine Paleolo-
gus, the last Emperor of Eastern Rome, was
slain by the Turks when Constantinople fell
into their hands, a. ID. 1853. His two broth
crs Demotrious and Thomas fed to Italy,
Demctrius and his daughter were subsequent
ly taken to Constantinople, where they died,
leaving no issue. Thomas died in Rome, and
one OF his sons in Constantinople the other
son s'was lost in the habit and religion of a
Turkish slave.''
These aud other relative facts are recorded
by Gibbon in tracing what he calls the 'sfinal
extinction of the Caesars. He says nothing
of Sophia, the daughter of Thomas, who ac-
cording to the evidence of the author quoted
by the London N,us-was escorted from Rome
to Moscow and married to Ivan ILL.,, Emperor
of Russia. Thus according to the united tes-
tmony of the two historians, viz. Gibbon and
Murray, the Princess Sophia was the only
memter of the Cesar dynasty who could trans
nit the right of the crown to future genera
tions. That she did do this by her marriage
with the Gar Ivan cannot be disputed; hence
by the laws OF hereditary descent, the Royal
family of Russia possess the only legal claim
to the throne of the Caesars.
1t may be asked, what have these facts to do