The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-11-02
Vancouver Independent
OFFICIAL PAPER OF CRY AND COUNTY.
Vancouver. Clarke County, Washington
Territory.
HOW CARS ARE CROWNED

The ceremony of the coronation of the
Cars OF Russia may in some respects be
rightly called the greatest ceremony in
the world. 1t is impossible to conceive
of anything that surpasses itin grandeur,
splendor, and richness. Nor is lis poll
teal Importance to be overlooked. The
Gar 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-
ter the throne room. He is not styled
by his Is 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
q minor or heir presumptlve to the en-
pire, in which he has no authority, and
which is governed by a Regency OF
Ministers and hereditary noblemen. 1t
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 Uzar's pre-
decessor. Where there has been dis
pute about the throne, or even where
the throne has been uslrptd, as in the
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
fastened to Moscow. where she was
crowned within a week. The Russians
do not say the Gar to be "the most
powerful by the grace of God" until he
has been anointed at Moscow.
MANY reasons have been ascribed for
the postponement of the coronation OF
the present Gar, the principal one being
that it was feared he might be assassin
ated by the Nihilists; but those who are
acquainted with the Seigning 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 IL, to whom his son was very
much attached, and whose loss he still
mourns. He has given proofs of his
great devotion in not following the ordi-
harry rule, lie Roi est mort; vive lie
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 Cars. 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 q coronation
would be illegal. For many days pIevi-
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 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,
and diplomats are the guests OF the
Kremlin palace, but any Russian noble
man coming for the occasion goes
straight to the house of q Moscow noble
of his own rank, who, although not &C.
quainted with him, is bound to give him
accommodation, while other officials go,
as the guests of the city of Moscow, to
the various hotels and other establish
ments, where their expenses are paid by
the municipality.
The Kremlin is not one building, but
an enormous octagon plot of land, sur
rounded by high walls and fortresses,
containing four Crown palaces, the ca
thedrsls, of the Assumption, the Arch
angel, and the Annunciation; the Gov
errors palace, the headquarters Of she
Guards Regiment, and . number OF
monasteries and nunneries. All the
walls are snow-white, the fortresses EN-
erald- green, the principal entrances ros.
color, and tho roofs Of the cathedrals
gilded, the whole forming . 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
axge spaces between the other bniltings
and with soldiers marching, carriages
driving. priests. nuns and others walk
ing about, the Kremlin has the appear.
ance of beautiful city. The process