The Hickman courier., 1877-11-30
THE POWER OF THE CzAE.
Alexander Keeping Himself tn the
Eyes OF Esis Officers.

Alexander Keeping Himself in the
Eyes OF Esis Officers.
II were to sum up the cardinal fault
Of the Russian army in three words
should say il is the total '' want of iaitia-
tive" Something in tae imperial sys-
TEN seems to stife and kill the power Of
individual attention And yet in no
army in the world a5e greater pains
taken TO recognize and stimulate indi-
vidual enterprise. Crosses, decorations,
swords and sashes Of honor are distributed
with a lavish hand, and, better still, they
are given on the spot, and not as with us,
when the recollection OF the brilliant
deed has nearly died away.
The emperor himself Is the great and
sole fountain of military honor. He
watches all personally. The theory Is
that no act escapes his eve. Certainly
to see how his every word and gesture is
followed by those around him he would
appear the earthly incarnation OF sd
! prem9 power. And his personal bearing
enhances the reward in every case. \
generous word, a friendly look, the we'll
chosen expression Of praise to suit the
Individual, go home to the heart Of the
recipient as much as the higher cherished
reward itself
Two hundred officers Of all ranks
breakfast and dine daily at his table.
From the youngest to the Oldest every
eye is fixed on him. Before the meal,
in the assembled circle, as the car
appears, it is seen one day that
an aide-de-camp behind him car
ries a cushion with crosses on it, and per
haps, halt dozen sword knots of honor
the riband OF St. George, orange and
black-te be worn attached to the sword
hilt. Instantly expectation is at its
height. The cars voice calls the chosen
name; all make room for the chosen man
to pass he comes blushing and flushed,
receives the prize, bends low to kiss the
imperial hand, and retires bowing at every
step, made man for life, the admired and
courted of all beholders. Then he has to
90 through the usual embracing and
kissing on both cheeks from his friends.
The effect of the system is magnetic
it is to concentrate all power and author
ity absolutely in one center. The car is
the earthly providence Of the soldier and
officer, as well as the embodiment of the
military power and glory Of his country.
I have seen old officers so overcome with
this mark Of distinction that they went
about for ten minutes after like chill
dren, weeping with the prize decoration
in their hands, showing it around, half
dazed. No system can be imagined
more calculated TO stimulate individual
efforts to the utmost. Yet with ali this
spurring there is something wanting.
1t is the individuality and the habit OF
spontaneous action which only the edu-
cation and modes of thought OF free
people can supply. Whether il be long
standing taint of seridom, whether it be
too much Imperialism, the initiative
is wholly absent. Yet tell the Russian
what to do, and he will spring to it ike
an obedient child. Ia year ii would
never have occurred to him to do it him.
elf.-Buctarest Cor. Of the London Times
AITTTL E boy was asked the other day j
he knew where the wicked finally went
10. He answered: They practice law {
spell here and then 90 the legis aLure.