The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-04

ginning, the gloomy prediction was re-
corded that "the rule of the Romanofs
would be long and unhappy" The
singular fulillment of this melancholy
prediction the history of that house
most sadly attests. Scarce one of that
long line of Cars came to natural
death. The very first of that line,
Michael Feodorovitch, narrowly escaped
repeated attempts at assassination only
to die by violence. Peter the Great, the
most distinguished of the Romanotfs, was
twice allbut murdered in mis- childhood
at the instigation of his own sister; and
he himself finally murdered his own
weak and profigate son, as he said, "to
save Russia from a tyrant." Peter Ii,
Anna, Ivan, Peter III, Catharine II,
Paul, were all murdered; and suspicious
of like fate attended the taking off of
several others who had worn the Romanoff
crown.
And yet, under that long dynastic
rule, the Russian Empire, emerging from
utter barbarism when her mobiles were
but beasts of prey and her peasants were
but beasts of burden, has become all that
Russia is. And Russia is certainly great;
yet her greatness has scarcely yet lifted
her out of her primitive barbarism.
The very means now adopted by that
associated brotherhood of murder,
known as Nihilists partake of that bar
barism which it was the great effort OF
the first Peters laborious life to over
come by the influences of civilization.
Doubtless it is this that has clouded the
heart of Alexander II with despair, and
that has induced him to lay aside crown
too burdcnsome for mortal brow to bear.
The brave may boldly defy death and
scorn danger on the grand arena of open
battle and amid heated strife; but to feel
that in private walks and at the family
hearth insidious murder is watching the
favorable moment for secret assassina-
ton may we'll overcome the bravest
heart, and spread darkness and dread
around him who never feared an open
foe.
What the Nihilists expect to gain by
their secret schemes of murder is diff
ficult to conjecture. They can not hope
to dethrone dynasty by the assassina-
ton of one, or of many. The present
Gar has not been an oppressive monarch.
BY destroying him they may possibly
bring a worse one to the throne. If re-
forms are required, surely the secret
murder of the Chief of the State is but
a sorry way to secure them. To threaten
society is not the way to improve So
ciety.
What the present measure of commit
ting the exercise of Russian sovereignty
into delegated hands may eventuate in
no one can foresee. AS to Russia it may
inaugurate reign of terror. Gen. Nell
5 koff is reputed to he soldier of grea
l qualities, an ardent patriot, and devoted
} to the Emperor. He may be wise in th'
administration of his great trust. and re
establish social order in that vast EN-
pire, SO convulsed But all the worC
knows the depth of Russian intrigue ant
the acrimony of Russian envy. Among
these disturbing elements his work mus
be conducted, without the support o
traditional reverence for the incumben
of the throne. If he succeeds it will b
: wonder; if he tails it will be horror
2 And, should he succeed, should h
| make for himself a name among Rus
C slams rivaling that of their Gar, is ther
! no temptation in the human heart tina
might prompt him to rival the Cars il
the possession of their throne? Is his
i tory lacking in examples Of men retain
: ing as their cwn the power which the
: had received as trust? Commandin
as he must all the armies of the Empire
;, the great engine of Russian operations
}, political or dynastic, might it not com
i. to pass that an Imperial decree, Cza1
istic ukase, may be issued proclaimin
that "the Romanoffs have ceased t
! reignw Napoleon once so decreed as t
the Bourbons, might not Melikoff, also
" soldier, 50 likewise decree as to the RI
= manoffs?