Morning journal and courier., 1881-03-26
Price Four Cents.

q was subaltern cavalry officer in the ranks of his regiment. was witness of but mi an actor in that catastrophe" 'sWellp contin- ued Paul, looking distrustfully at his minister. they want to re enact to-day the revolution Of l762." II am aware of it, replied Count Pahlen. without betraying the least emotion. know all the plot am a party to it. " What" exclaimed Paul, 'tyou are one of the conspirators3" tYesi but to be better an prised of it, and that may be in position more effectually to watch over your safety. :" The counts calmness disarmed Paul,s susni- cions, but he still remained discomposed and excited.
 The 23d of March was fixed for the execu- ton of the plot Pahlen under color of piy- ing dinner party assembled at his house the Soubows, Benningsen and several general officers upon whom he thought he could rely Wines were served in profusion and after dinner the project was unfolded to the con- spirators and the terrible plot revealed. Ihey were not told that they must assassinate Paul, but that they must 20 to the palace and compel him to abdicate. The excited guest.
 With three or four exceptions agreed to the project, and in the evening about sixty con- spirators salied forth in two bands, with Pah-
 len leading one party and Bennington the other. The Palace Michael was similar to fortress, but everything was thrown open to tne consplrators: Bennipgsen's party march, ed first, and proceeded direct toward the ems peror's apartments. Pahlen remained behind wltn hls reserve body of censpirators. E
 Two heyduks, the emperor's body guard, at tempted to defend their sovereign. One was struck down and the other fled A valet was compelled to open the door of his mas
 ter's chamber. All escape being cut off the emperor hid in the bottom of his bed Plato
 Soubow ran to the imperial bed. and, finding
 1t empty, cried out, ''The emperor has es-
 capped, We are lost" But Benningsen caught | EI0 of Do,,
 hand and presented to him the act of abdica-
 ton. You have ceased to reign" he ex-
 claimed to him, ''the Grand Duke Alexander
 IS now emperor; I summon you in his name
 to resign the empire, and to sign this act of
 abdication." Summons were made by other
 eonspirators. They then pressed upon the
 unhappy Paul, who struggled, expostulated
 and implored them in vain. Footsteps of
 other conspirators were heard outside the
 chamber, and believing that assistance was arriving, the conspirators about the emperor fled except Bennington He remained infex- ible, with sword pointed at Pauls breast.
 The conspirators returned and hemmed i'll the emperor, in order to enforce his apdication.
 The emperor endeavored to defend himself, and in the scuffie the. lamp was extinguished Benn1ngsen ran to procure another ,and, on h1s return, discovered Paul expiring under the blows of two assassins; one had broken in his skull with the pummel of his sword, whilst the other was strangling him with his sash.
 During this scene Pahlen remained outside, and when told that all was over, ordered the body to be laid out on the bed, placed the guard of thirty men at the door of the apart ment, with orders not to admit any one, and then repaired to the grand duke to announce the terrible occurrence.
 The grief of the prince was profound and he loaded Pahlen with bitter reproaches, which the latter received with composure. The empress expressed deep grief, but having for an instant recovered from her first paroxysm of grief, she felt the rising impulse of am bition awaken in her breast and wished to reign. She imparted her desire to Alexan- der.
 It was necessary to leave no time for re- fiection, and it was important that the acces- sion of Paul's successor should be proclaimed at the same time. Pahlen approached the young prince.
 ''You have wept sufficiently as a child" said he; ''come now and reign" He tore lowed by Benningsen, hastened to present him to the troops, and soon the young emper- or was proclaimed, and placed in possession
 The impression the catastrophe created proved that the manners of the empire had undergone change, and that since 1762 Rus sian manners had become modified by tho in iuence of European civilization, and it may be said to the honor of Russia that she has equally advanced since 1SO0 The Russians feared Paul I and his insani- ty more than they hated him. as he was not of 8 sanguinary character.
 The assassinated emperors body lay in state according to usage, but infinite precau- lions were used to disguise his wounds Mil tary gloves concealed the mutilation of his hands. A large hat completely covered his head His face was. .disfigured by contusions, but it was given out that he had died of apo- plexy.