Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-03-14
THE ASSASSINATION OF THE CAR

~ uA'n STREET MemphiS' Team sss
THE ASSASSINATION OF THE CzAR.
The nihilists of Russia have at last
accomplished their cherished design |
the murder Of the czar, Alexander
III. This occurred yesterday on the
streetsofSt. Petersburg. Bomb shells,
or torpedoes, were thrown under the
emperor's carriage and exploding, as
intended, wounded the czar, who died
in two hours, and instantly killed
three Of bis attendants. Whatever
faults this unfortunate ruler may have
had his death will. be a shock to the
civilized world. The wrongs of a peO-
pie are never remedied by assassina-
tions. Such deeds of violence pro-
duce reaction and just the opposite
effect from that sought by wild theo-
rists. The czar was Fgrowing old,
and is succeeded by much
stronger and more vigorous
man, his son Alexander Ill,
whose proclamation appears in our
telegraphic columns. Two young men
arrested admit their participation in
the crime, and express their readiness
to die. Their action in this matter, and
their martyrdom as they may consider
it, will not, however, promote the cause
OF popular liberty, or better the con-
dition Of the oppressed millions under
Russian rule. Picking off an empe-
ror, a king or a prime minister is not
the way to throw off the yoke of bon
dage, or command. the sympathy of
the world. Compared with his pre-
decessors, and considering his sur
roundings and the people he ruled,
Alexander II will occupya favorable
position in history. Whilst our
Lincoln as war measure freed
four millions Of slaves and is
almost worshiped as a saint for it !;
Alexander, in a time of peace, had
previously, by ukase March 3, 1861,
emancipated 23,0OO,OOO Of serfs. The
emperor was born April 20, 1878, and
was therefore nearly sixty-three years
old. He married the Princess Maria,
daughter Of The grand duke Of Darn
stadt, Germany, in l84l. lie was
originally very liberal in his tenden-
cies ard, it is said was opposed to
the Crimean war, and his fathers
attitude towSrd Europe. He ascend
ed the throne March 2, 1855. OppO-
sition seems TO have soured his nature.
Yet he gave a liberab recognition to
public instruction, permitted Polish
exiles to return home, and did much
to purge the internal administration OF
what we would call corruption. He
carried on wars against Bokhara in
1866; Khiva in 1873, and Kbokhan in
1876, and took the field in
person in the great war be-
tween Russia and Turkey, in 1878.
Whatever wrongs the Russian people
may have to endure, the empire is in
far better condition than when Alex
aader began hisrule. The numerous at
tenpts to assassinate him oflate years
led TO severe measures and brought
trouble and suffering upon thousands
ofinnocent people. The czar's do;
mestic relations were not happy Of
late years, though this is nothing un-
usual in the lives Of sOTerSigns.
He seems to have had more wives
than the law allowed, and when the
real Czariua died a year or so ago, he
openly recognized the favorite who
had caused so much trouble. These
affairs, however, had nothing to dc
with the popular disturbances by
N,hich he was surrounded. Certain
fanatics not without sympathy and
support in Europe, aud possibly in the
3arge cities of this country, we're in
spired with an idea that the blood o.
an emperor would redeem their. race
The emperoris dead but the empire
lives. Misguided zeal has done its
efectual work.
PRESIDENT Garfield haze renoml'
,,ated Stanlev Matthews for associate