The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-10-21
now CZigs ARE CROWNED

Czars of Russia may in some respects be
rightly called the greatest ceremony In |
the world. It is impossible to conceive
of anything that surpasses itin grandeur,
splendor, and richness. Nor is its poll
tical importance to be overlooked. The
Czar is utterly powerless as monarch
previous to being crowned; he cannot
proclaim war or sign treaty OF peace,
nor can he confer decorations OF higher
order than the Vladimir. nor can he en-
tar the throne. room. He is not styled
by his 16 titles, but is simply addressed
as Alexander, son of Alexander, and, by
courtesy only, Emperor of all the
Russias. Any document he might put
his seal to would be disregarded if not
countersigned by two OF the Ministers OF
State. He is in every respect considered
minor or heir presumptiye to the en-
pire. in which he has no authority, and
witch is governed by Regency of
Ministers and hereditary noblemen. It
can. therefore, be easily understood that
the Cars have always fastened their
coronation, not wishing to be under
tutelage, and in the majority of cases
the coronation has occurred within two
months of the death of the Cars pre-
decessor. Where there has been dis
pute about the throne, or even where
the throne has been uslrped, as in tue
case Of Catherine the Great, the corona
ton has taken place Immediately.
Catherine left ST. Petersburg secretly on
the very day of the death Of Peter, and
hastened TO Moscow, where she was
crowned within a. week. The Russians
do not say the Czar to be "the most
powerful by the grace of God" until he
has been anointed at Moscow.
Many reasons have been ascrlbed for
the postponement of the coronation OF
the present Czar, the principal one being
that it was feared he might be- assassin
ated by the Nihilists; but those who are
acquainted with the reigning imperial
family know that they do not lack cour-
age, besides which, the present Emperor
goes out daily on foot and nnaccom-
panied in St. Petersburg, which he evil
IDENTIFY would not do If he were afraid OF
the Nihilists. The real reason for delay
ing this ceremony, well-informed Rus
slams say, was one of respect for the
glorious memory of the late Gar, Alex
ander H., to whom his son was very
much attached, and whose loss he still
mourns. He has given proofs of bis
great devotion in not following the ordi-
nary rule, "Le Roi est mort; vive le
Roi" Long before the day fixed for the
coronation official invitations are sent to
all friendly imperial and royal courts
and to presidents of republics, also to
the diplomatic body. Commands, how
ever, and not invitations are sent to all
the members of the imperial family, the
ministers, the clergy, the mobiles, COM
manding officers, governors of districts,
the head of all the guilds, the judges,
and other notables. At Moscow, from
time immemorial, have been crowned
the Czars. The ceremony has been per-
formed in the Church of the Holy As
sumption, within the Kremlin walls.
Although some of the late Emperors
have wished their coronations to take
place in st. Petersburg, the advisers OF
the crown, and especially the clergy,
have declared that such coronation
would be illegal. For many days previ.
GUS to this ceremony Moscow is in hoii-
day attire, and by an old law every house
in Moscow must have received three
coats of white paint. Such a law Is now
unnecessary, as the inhabitants not only
willingly paint their houses, but com.
pete with each other in decorating them
externally. Invited monarchs, princes,
Kremhn palace, but any Russian noble
man coming for the occasion goes
straight to the house of Moscow noble
of his own rank, who, although not ac
quainted with him, is bound to give him
accommodation, while other officials go
as the guests of the city of Moscow, te
the various hotels and other establish
ments, where their expenses are paid bl
the municipality.
The Kremlin is not one building, bu
an enormous octagon plot of land, sur
rounded by high walls and fortresses
containing four Grown palaces, the ca
thedrals, of the Assumption, the Arch
angel, and the Annunciation; the Gov.
ernor's palace, the headquarters of the
Guards Regiment, and number o.
morasteries and nuuneries. All the
walls are snow-white, the fortresses EN-
erald green, the principal entrances rose
color. and the roofs of the cathedrals
0ilded, the whole forming a beautiful
combination, the effect of which is very
striking. With the exception of the
cathedrals and their pretty bell-towers
which are built in cluster, there are
aree spaces between the otht r build ng
and with soldiers marching, carriages
driving, priests. nuns and others walk
ing about, the Kremlin has the appear
ance of beautiful city. The process
sion does not form in the Kremlin, bu
st the cavalry barracks, four miles dis
tant. to the north of the city. Here 6(
heralds, mounted on cream-colore6
horses, form 20 abreast and, commanded
By the chief master of ceremonies, blow
a salvo, and the officer commanding the
cavalry appears with his staff, and de
mands what they require of him, and tht
master of ceremonies replies: ''The Czal
commands thee follow me" The gates
are then opened, and the regiment, which
has been expecting the summons, marches
out aud follows the heralds. The mex
place visited is the university, wher'
the same thing takes place; then th'
Cathedral of Kazan, where all the clerg,
are congregated; then the law courts
where the Judges join the procession
then the headquarters of the mobiles
then the staff officers; then the variou
professions; then the Governors; thel
the deputatiops from every quarter o
the empire; then the trade guilds, and il
every case the heralds blow the satvo
The chief of the clergy, of the mobiles. o
the guilds, or of any other body, ap
pears as if he were surprised, and ask
what is wanted of him, whereupon th
master of ceremonies replies, ''The Cza
commands thee follow me-" Thus tn
procession goes on swelling. Arriving
at the principal gates of the Kremlin AM
finding them closed, the heralds bio,
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