The Hickman courier., 1877-07-27
THE CzAR 40 THE BULGARhANS.


The following is the text of the procla-
nation of the Emperor Alexander to the
Bulgariaps upon the crossing OF the Dan
ube at Simnitza:
"My troops have crossed the Danube
To-day they enter your territory, where
they have already several times lought
fsr the amelioration of the lot OF the
Christian inhabitants of the Balkan pen
insula. Faithful to their ancient hlstor-
ical traditions, and always deriving Iresh
strength from the intimate union whlch
had bound them for centuries 10 the or
thodox people of Russia, my ancestors
succeeded by their influence and their
arms in securing successfully the position
eff the Servians and ROumanlans pysuh-
moning them to a new political existence.
Time and circumstances have not altered
Russia's svmnatbies toward her corell-
gionists in the east. She stllI pears the
same love and the same solicitude toward
all the members of the great CHRISTIAN
family of the Balkan peninsula. have
confded to my army, commanded by my
brother, the Grand duke Nicholas the
mission of securing the sacred rights of
your nationality, which constitute the
immutable, conditions Of the peaceful and
regular Development , all civic exist
ence. These rights you have not ac
quired by force or armed resistance, but
as the reward of centuries of suffering
and of the martyrs blood with which
you and your forehthers have for centu-
ries soaked the soil of your country.
'Inhabitants ofBulgaria-Russia's OBJ
ect is to build up, and not to destroy
She is called by the DEGREES of Provi-
dence to pacify and conciliate all races
and denominations in those parts of Bull
garia which are inhabited by a apopulation
of various origin and beliefs. Hence
forth, the Russian army will protect
every Christian against all:violence. No
attack will be made with impunity upon
his person or his property by any one,
and crime I \ill be folio fed by fitting
punishment. The life, liberty honor,
and property of every Christian will be
equally guaranteed, to what every class
he may belong. Vengence will not
guide our acts, which will be presided
over solely by a sentiment of strict equi-
ty as well as by the firm intention of
causing order and right progressively to
L 1901 ho rotorr, Of Ol
| potism To you, Mussulmans of Bulga-
ria, | address salutary warning. 1t is
painful for me to evoke the memory of
| crimes and acts of violence of which sey-
eral among you have been guilty to-
ward defenseless Christians. Those hor-
r5rs cannot be forgotten; but the Rus
| sian authorities do not desire to hold all
responsible fort crimes of few. Reg
ular and impartial justice will overtake
those criminals who have remained Un-
| punished. despite the fact their names
were perfectly well known to your gov
ernment. Acknowledge now the justice
of God which overtakes you, and bow to
his will, Submit your legitimate needs
to the authorities who viii be appointed
wherever my troops appear, become
| peaceful citizens OF society, which is
ready to accord you the benefits of reg
ular organization. Your existence and
your property, the lives and honor of
your families, will be sacred before us
! Christians.
Bulgarians, you are passing through
a memorable peri0d; the hour of deliv-
erance from Mussulman tyranny has at
last struck; give the world an example
/ of Christian love; cast into oblivion old
| intestine dissensions, scrupulously re-
| specting the legitimate rights of each
nationality; unite your brothers in re-
ligion, in sentiments of concord and
brotherly love, which alone afford solid
bases for durable edifce; gather closely
under the shadow of the Russian flag,
whose victories have so often resounded
on the Dauube and the Balkans. As fast
as the Russian troops advance into the
interior of the country the power of the
| Turk will be summoned to take an active
part therein, under the supreme direc.
tion of special authorities, and new Bull
garian legions will be formed to serve as
the nucleus of local armed force destined
to maintain order and security. The
zeal you will have displayed in honestly
serving your country, and the impair
tiality you Will have brought to the
accomplishment of this great duty, will
prove to the world that you are worthy
of the destiny that Russia has prepared
for you during 50 many years, at the
cost of such great sacrifices. Obey the
Russian authorizes, follow faithfully the
indications they will give you; therein
lie your strength and your safety.
"With humility l pray our Lord to
grant us the victory over the enc enies of
Christianity, and to send down his bless
ing upon our just cause.
90 AI.FX ANDEp -