Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-04-26
THE SHOTS AT THE OzAR.

Easter-tide has always been an unpro-
pitious period for rulers, and, it may be
said, for assassins too, for though an
unusual number OF assaults against ''the
Lords annointed'' have been delivered
at this season, as rule they have failed
and the Would-be assassin has suffered.
1t has long been recognized by rulers as
a truth that whenever one OF the dis
contented chooses to play life for life the
chances are even, no matter what
guards might intervene-what precau-
ions might be taken. The assassin. in
some disguise OF other, was sure to
penetrate to the roy al presence and to
gain 1.-The drcp" on his victim, but the
moment that the assassin made his cal
culations concerning securing his retreat
as well as attaining his object, that
instant he interiered with his conception
and weakened its execution. 1t may be
added that at the present time Il ruler
counts tor SO llttle-his counsellor or
instrument being the recognized agent.
and himself being regal ded with a sort
of pity as the innocent and incompetent
victim of a designing Bismarck-that he
is altogether likely to survive several
generations OF premiers.
Alexander II. has already twice been
under fire. On the 10th OF April. 1866,
while entering his carriage at st. Peters
burg he was fired upon, but peasant,
Oislp komisarotf, flung up the assas-
sins weapon and his imperial master
escaped. Komisaroff. curiously enough.
was IL native of the town OF kostroma,
where still stands the statute OF Ivan
Susanin. When. in 1912. the line OF
Ruric having ended with Feodor Ivano-
witch, son OF Ivan the Terrible, Michael
Feodorovitch Romanof was chosen as
Car, the expelled Polish King, Vladls-
lay, sent Il band of ussassins 10 surprise
Romanoff on his way from Yaroslavi and
| slay him. AS the assassins halted a,
the cottage OF Ivan Susanin one OF them
chanced to stumble. and Ill his annoy.
unce LAUGHED Polish oath. The peas
ants quick ear caught 1t and he instantly
OWNED some sinister purpose IN his
visitors. Sending his Son to warn the
Car elect he offered himself to the Poles
as guide, and leading them into ar
unfrequented ravine avowed his treach
cry, and glorying in it tell beneath
their swords, to be avenged by thu
guards of Ronanoff A statute wa
erected to Susanin's memory and hi:
descendants in perpetuity were exempt
ed from taxation. From under tn,
shadow of Susanin's g Statue sprang kom
isaroff to save his Car and earn
pateut OF nobility. Again on the 9th q
June, 1867. the Pole Berezowski tried It
assassinate the Car by firing into tn
carriage ir which along the Paris boule
wards rode Alexander and his 1wo son
with Napoleon Ill. The first shot miss
ed its aim and the overloaded weapo
burst at the second discharge, shatterin
the assassin's hand. Bcrezowski wa
at once arrested and narrowly escape
being torn to pieces. Sire, we hav
been under fire together said Napc
leon with smile, and the Emperor {
t all the Russias replied: Our destinie
, are in the bands of Providence, m
BROTHER
: Possibly the autocrat might have ado
ed that it would he fortunate chaue
! which deprived him Of lite. The presel
: head Of the house of Romanotf has led
j sombre existence. He sleeps badly, al
? before has had his cup OF coffee and
roll-tea is In Lhe index expurgatori,
9 OF the physicians as unset,ling their in
d peIla! master nerves after a bad nigh
I'LL mid day he works with his secretar
$ then breakfasting in simple fashion,
:, the sorrow of his chef. whose noble
e efforts return untasted. After ridir
j. with one of his younger sons, or drivl,
out with the Empress, the Car shr
re himself up in his cabinet till 5 o'cloc
$. nominally to work. though the gossi
declare that he passes the two hours t
lie fore dinner in gloomy reflection. Fl
1e o'clock is the dinner hour with sim,
te meal and limited company. The ne
~ two hours are spent with the Empr,
IN the garden or In minister.a! sudien,