The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-10-11
Woman's Rule in Russia.

"Who is now the leading spirit o
the Cars Government ?" | asked higi
official
"a woman, as usual" he answered
81 Like 'all monarchal countries, we
have always had some woman at the toT
or at the bottom of our Government
During the thousand and twenty
years Of Russia's existence, there have
been eighty rulers, all told, of whom
only five were women. But if we study
Russian history we shall find that near
ly every Russian ruler has been ruled
by woman. Among Russian sover-
eigns there are seven canOnized as
{" Saint" several are I" Great" one is
" Apostolical," one " Monomachos, one
" L0ngarmed, one " Blessed, one
4" Soothsayer," one " Dark" one A" I'm
postor," one Brave" one proud, one
g Terrible" one Not t-to-be-forgotten,
one 'Moneysack, " and one "Liberator;"
but among the host of crowned heads
that have ruled Russia for the past
thousand years there was apparently
but one "wise" head, and that wom-
ans. The great Princess Olga, Of the
tenth century, the first Christian sover-
cign of Russia, is known in history as
''the WISE"
When the great Prince Vladimir,
being yet pagan, consulted the repre-
sentatives Of his people as to what re-
ligion should be adopted they answered:
" The Greek religion, for were it not
the best, your grandmother Olga, the
wisest of men, would not nave adopted
It." and the worthy grandchild follow
ed the example of his grandmother.
The philosophers of to-day, however,
would call her rather the 4" Smart" or
the Cunning"
After Olga for seven centuries no
woman ascended the Russian throne. In
1925, when Peter the Great died, his
charming and witty wife, "the Russian
Aspasia," was proclaimed autocratrix
under the name of Catherine. In
course of time there were three other
Expresses ~Ann, the niece Of Peter
the Great and murderess of the boy
Car Peter II; Elizabeth, the daughter
Of Peter the Great and murderess of the
baby Gar Ivan VI; and Catherine ii, the
wife and murderess of Gar Peter Ill.
The poet sang Of Catherine II, as "tbe
Northern Semiramis," and by her great
vices and brilliant deeds she fully de-
served that appellation. As for Ann
and Elizabeth, the classical name Of
Messalina would be perfectly applicable
tokboth.
!. Nine Pobedonostzeff, the leading spir-
it Of the Russian Government of to-day
is the wife of the chief Procureur Of the
Holy Synod snd the most confidential
counselor of the Gar. She is young,
beautiful and ambitious. She married
Mr.. Pobedonostzef but few years ago.
Her husband, a very old gentleman, is
in love with her. 1t is said of him that
the knightly motto, "God and My
Lady," he changed into 'sGod and My
Wife" and upholds it as devoutly as a
knight Of old. He rises early, prays to
God, adores his wife, and then goes to
see the Car or the Ministers or the
Holy Synod, and everywhere he tries
his best to carry out the commands of
his charming goddess. Meanwhile -she
herself is not idle. She receives hosts
Of fair visitors Of high rank, who while
offering their homage seize the chance of
commencing their husbands, brothers
or cousins. Sometimes this or that
Minister of State does himself the honor
Of paying his respects to her. Occa-
sionally she visits her. Majesty, the
Czartna, to cheer her soul in her golden
cage. And the Car himself IS there