The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-09-19
Tho Gar Alexander III.

|
MEMOIRS OF THE LATE RULER or RUSSIA, BY
HIS MOIGANATIc SPOUSE, THE PRINCESS
DoLORUKI.
The wel-knOwn fact that the Princess
Doloruki Is the real author OF Victor La
ferte's /" Aiey1ndre H.: Details IneditS
sur so uie milne ct 50 mort" has caused
this book to be read and discussed with a
degree OF interest to which (says the New
York Evening Posi- its intrinsic merits
scarcely entitle it. Whether this glowing
euloey of Alexander III. is solely inspired
by the blind love OF his widow may Wen DC
doubted, in view OF the stress laid on the un.
sclfishness OF her dcvotion-nearly one nan
OF the book being taken up win most ue-
tailed account OF her behavior Immediately
after the assassination, her calculations OF
grief. her prayers, etc. The proud history
OF the female Doorukis is mInutely dwclt
on. and the remarkable resemblance OF the
Youngest son OF the Princess to his impe-
rial father more than once pointed out:
{" The tenderest OF fathers, he especially
cherished his youngest son, because he
saw in him not only his own child, his
own flesh, his own heart, but the
child of his most intimate life, as well as
the child OF that Russian nation which
he loved so greatly. II seems that Alex
ander III. found pleasure in the thought OF
seeing himself renewed TO the Russian peo-
ple i'm this dear son :: therefore he, so to say,
poured daily his entire soul into that OF the
Young Prince George" In spite OF the
iulsome and unrelieved praise heaped upon
the memory OF Alexander H., these "rev-
eIations." more of which are promised in
due time, utterly fail to present the late
Gar in a really attractive and humane
light. A few extracts will suffice to show
"Laierte's" literary skill and historical
grasp:
"When the great act Of the emancipation
of the scrfs occupied the sovereign's mind
he perceived with regret that but very
limited number OF the persons surround
ing him svmpathzed with his ideas, while
a very large number not only were opposed
TO them, but pictured to him insurmounta-
bic obstacles and serious dangers, which
might prove fatal to the very existence OF
the empire. One might say that these
counsellors foresaw the sad cOnse-
ouences of that important act which,
twenty years later, caused the tragic
end OF the sovereign-lberator.
In spite OF the opposition to the eXecu-
ton Of the glorious act, the Emperor said
70 persons who can youch for the truth OF
the words 'The question OF the emanci-
patton of the serfs pre0ccupies me inces-
sanity: must see if carried out. More
and more | am bent on its execution, but
| have no one to aid me in this serious
question, the solution Of which cannot be
postponed
..The great merit of Alexander ii. is
that after having entered upon the path OF
progress he understood that it would not
do to retreat and to discredit his power in
the eyes OF the people by an INDIGESTION,
which in Russia is more hurtiul than III
any other country. Inere were
three persons who favored the grand ideas
OF the monarch, and in whom he found
efficient co-labOrers. They were the Grand
Duke Constantine, Count RostoytZolf, and
the Grand Duchess Helen.
"After the PRONUNCIATION OF the great act
OF the emancipation OF the Russian peasant
nv. Count RoStovtzofl was taken from his
sovereign by death. Let Us hear the En-
neror's words when RoStOvtZotf died
confess was greatly troubled how to re-
place him: the only man who appeared to
me capable Of seconding my views was
Count Panin, Minister OF Justice. When i
made known my intentions with regard to
him many persons disapprOved OF my
choice: nevertheless | persisted in my resO-
luton and sent for Count Panin. When |
| informed him OF my intention OF making
him president OF the council, a. successor
| to Count RostOvtZotf. he answered: must
confess TO your Majesty that | do not
share your ideas on the subject OF enamel
patton; but If you are embarrassed in your
choice, shall accept the position; and, if
accept it, promise you to carry the cause
to good result, and to associate myself en-
tirely with it, Il was very happy the
Emperor added, TO have gained the con-
sent of Count Panin, and | must confess
that he has kept his word and carried this
cause through to the end. | shall never
forget the service he has rendered me-
"These words from the mouth OF Alex
ander III. may well he treasured by the de-
scendants of Count Panin, for one must
bear in mind that he was a rich landlord,
possessing 10000 peasants, whom he lost by
the emancipation OF the serfs.
There is no doubt that in the ever
memorable history OF Alexander III. the
Grand Duke Constantine will occupy
glorious place as the most Jealous co-laborer
OF his illustrious brother in all the great
reforms introduced by the wisdom OF the
sovereign. His rare intelligence
and vast crudition render the Grand Duke
Constantine one Of those chosen men who,
at the most critical moments, are equal to
all the difficulties OF their situation. The
intelligent portion Of the Russian people
know how TO appreciate his great capaci-
ties and high merit. Although he has re-
nOunced political life and lives in retire
mcnt, he is ever present to the thoughts OF
those who have known him.
"The influence OF the Grand Duke Con-
stantine began to decline in 1866. 1t was
then that Count Shuyal0fi increased in i'm
portance; from that time on most OF the
Ministers were chosen by him. Among
them we may mention General Timasheff.
Minister OF Interior, and Count Pahlen.
Minister OF Justice. Ii is but Just to state
that under these Ministers the greatest dis
orders arose, from which Russia has had
to suffer. That, alas was the epoch Of
favoritism. Everybody strove to put a
member OF his clique in office, regardless Of
his capacity and the welfare OF the country.
Fortunately, little by little the truth dawn
ed upon the mind Of the monarch. The
Ministers whom favoritism had placed in
power soon understood or guessed that
Alexander Ill. did not want them. Some
had the tact to change positions, the others |
resigned.
at IL necessary to remember that the |
sovereign was ayerse to changes I'm the |
ministry; those who, by their character
and talents, knew how to gain the conf
dence OF the Emperor, remained in their
positions during almost the entire reign OF
Alexander III. Toward the end OF that
reign several persons were appointed
whose term Of Office was but brief: they
were far from being equal to the exigencies
Oh the situation. Such. for instance was