The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-30
affairs or plunge them into. wreck and
ruin?
The Vast Standing Armies of Russia
and all the Continental Nations

The Vast Standing Armies Of Russia
and all the Continental Nations
is also good cause of disaffection. They
have doubled the debts and the arma-
ments In fifteen years. Compulsory SER
vice has paralysed the best and most
fruitful energies of the nations Business
men are under the constant repression OF
dreaded war-like Alpine peasants on
the watch for avalanches. They fear to
launch new prospects-doubting the sta
bility of the times. The burden increases
every year. The beau-ideal of states
manship is a mobilization that will draw
the last man and the last dollar to the
war office. The burIen is intolerable to
the working classes, for in the last analy-
sis they pay both the bills for war and
the blood-tax of the conscription. The
stagnatlon of spirit among the European
peasantry is something deplorable to be
hold. The peasant sees it is hopeless
struggle. He cannot get above the earth
Ii he makes the attempt he is soon taught
efectually that his first obligation in this
world is to the dIill-sergeant. These
plots against government are the protests
of humanity against this state of affairs
against the monstrous policy of reaching
alter an unknown glory and forgetting
the known welfare of the people.
Popular Discomfort is the Foundatio.
on which Nihilism rests
But for this it would be unworthy of no.
tlce. Every country breeds proportion
OF demoniacs ready to set fire to society
In spite for personal non-success, or from
crazy conceit of their ability to reform
the world. Free America even is not
without such an element, and it increases
as we turn from constitutional to auto
cratic governments. But the difference
between other nations and Russia is that
the bulk OF sentiment in them is on the
side OF order-while in Russia there is no
public sentiment. The network of police
has strangled it. The censorship of the
Press has destroyed it's pressure on the
public mind. Though hostile naturally
TO Nlhlllsm, the masses have been treated
with such suspicion and distrust by the
government that they have developed a
half sympathy with it. But for this
popular dis affection Nihilism would pine
and die. 1t is only in the sullen atmos-
phere OF national discomfort that bombs
charged like those of the Russian conspir-
ators can explode with effect. The cure
of 1T all must be liberal reforms. The
Bureaucracy must be broken. up. Careers
must be opened to all, the people must
breathe freely and be won by trustful-
ness to the side of the new Gear. This is
the next great emancipation for the new
Car to achieve. 1t will be more diff
cult far than that of the Serfs. But that
1T can be done is shown by such an exam
pie as that of Francis Joseph who, thirty
Eve years ago, dared not show his lace in
Vienna, and was held on his throne by
Russian bayonets, but who travels now
without fear through his domipion, and
is received with acclamation everywhere
This tragedy, however, cannot be dis
missed without reference to the moral
aOa'Ta1ng it conveys. Somehow it rings
out with special emphasis the old words,
" Her house is the way to hell, going
down to the chambers OF death" Some
how it seems divine answer to all the
newspaper reports spreading on the
wings OF the wind the Emperor infdeli-
tty, and poisoning the minds of the young.
Somehow it is a fit sequel to that other
death OF the gentle 9ueen-amid the tor
lures OF outraged love-ab' ndoned and
left to die alone by the king who rocked
not to scandal his name and nation. Let
young men of this generation beware of
taking the manners of what is called
High Life" as their example. Sin is
not less to be loathed because It's crowned
The palace can no more keep back the
judgments of God than the cellar door.
Behold how God blows up the magnif
cent wickedness of high places
L. M. G.