Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-06
Reform In Russia.

RCtUA IA ~ oGoAaAa
1t Is not surprising that the Gar mas
consented to strive to placate the spirit
of revolution that has cost him so dear.
1t is officially announced that commits
sion is to be appointed to take into con-
sideration the question of admitting the
people to share in the administration.
What will be the outcome Of its delioer-
ations it is impossible to foresee at pres
ent. nor Is it certain that the promised
reform will be speedily brought about.
1t may be that the concession is blind to
lull agitation and relax the strain that the
Emperor and his councillors have been
subjected to. 1t is very clear, however,
that the concessions to the people must
be large to satisfy the powerful organi-
cations which under the name of Mill
ism has wrought such havoc and
panic throughout the autocrats realm.
Nay, more. Should the promise be
broken. the revolutionists would be more
powerful than ever, since many friends
of law and order, who, trusting that
time would work the changes sought,
have held aloof from Nihilism, seeing
their hopes perish would, in despair,
seek by revolution what could not be
gained by peace.
The autocrats sense of power
may be sweet, but it is soured
by the insecurity that besets him.
The seed of liberty has been
sown in his vast domain, and sooner or
later the fabric of despotism must fall
either from its own weakness or beneath
the assaults of revolution. The myriads
of serfs whom the late Gar freed, the
disconnected middle classes, and the
nobility outside of the circle that the
favor of their master forms, all afford
the elements for a popular uprising,
which, if properly led, would bring free
dom to the masses.
1t is difficult to see why, at this stage
of the nineteenth century, a sovereign
with the intelligence of Alexander III.
can hesitate, if at all patriotic, to make
the attempt at assimilating his govern
ment TO the systems that obtain else
where in Europe. The growth of con
stitutional government in Russia, posi-
bly,, would be slow, but it is time the
experiment were made. A century
might pass ere Russia reached the
plane that England occupies to-day, but
the knowledge that it rested with them
selves to elevate their land in the scale Of
nations would nerve the Russian people
to the task. True, Russia is mighty
power to-day, but the soldier alone il
alive to patriotism. To the mass of the
people the government presents itself il
the shape of the Magistrate, the police
and the tax gatherer.
The Gar, prisoner in his gloomy
fortress, looks out upon land ripe fol
revolution, and like the later BOurbon'
cries latter me the deluge." He may
escape the plots of his enemies, but hii
chances are meagre at best. The very
soldiery, upon whom he relies for main
tenance of his power, are becoming
leavened with the doctrine of revolution
and the storm he would postpone may
ere long, burst upon his head. The
outside world is familiar only
with the atrocities of Nihilism
OF its aims, its motives
its elements, its plans, the mass of civil
lized people have but faint and conflict
ing conceptions. Yet, the Russian
revolutiOnists, fierce and atrociou'
though they be in their attacks on theil
oppressors, are fighting for share il
the common birthright of mankind
and though, while basking in the sun
shine of freedom, we may condemn theil
methods, we must pardon much to the
spirit of liberty.