The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-06-15
THE GEAR AND REFORM.

nc cry OF TtlOrln 10 u iaNoiilS ohe "i""J
with those who happen to be by the vicisi'
tudesa exigencies of politics leiton the
outside of the government household, but
to put it into practical operation is entirely
a different and extremely difficult thing In
our own country, with free press and the
power OF universal suffrage, 1t has been SO
far found impossible to inaugurate re-
forms which have been demanded
by large majority of the American
people Tor years and which every
intelligent reader of public events has long
seen was necessary. 1t is therefore no
cause for wonder that in the imperial do
mains of the Russian car it has not bee.
possible even, to obtain from the autocrat
the commoncst concessions looking to the
amelioration of the condition or progress
of the masses. While the throne has been
unmoyable, it has been unfortunate
for it that in the empire there has
been and still is sufficient intelli-
genco to see the necessity for re-
forms and to appreciate the
glaring injustice and tyranny involved in
their refusal. Rulers are said to be often
blind, and the cars have been no excep-
tons. While the millions of their subjects
have been sunk in a. poltical slavery, no
where else found in Europe, unless under
the sway of the sultan, the Russian auto
Gratis have laughed at their demands and
punished their threats until outraged hui
manity there has dctermind to stand their
| tyranny and indifference no longer. What
persuasion and appeals to rea-
son could not accomplish they
have determined to win by terrorism
and revolution. That is a wise ruler who
ceases to Cypress before revolution begins,
but the czars could not discern the fatal
line, and disastrous have been the results
to them. Nihilism became necessity, and
il has had the courage to do its duty.
ALEXANDER Ill fell at the assassin's hands,
and his son is prisoner in constant dread
of and the presence of death, and does
not dare assume the crown To
WuiCu uc 10 HUI uiiu Nhi'h iiN mas
been taught to believe is his by divine right,
1t seems that at last when reduced to sc
|pitiable position his eyes are beginning to
be opened and he has agreed to surrender
and order important and imperative re-
forms. What these intended changes ant
Improvements are, il is impossible to say,a
even they are to be nursed and maturec
with the same secresy that characterize:
even the police operations in the empire. l.
ALEXANDER LII has not learned in this con.
nection one very important fact, he is tread
ing upon doubly dangerous ground. II,
should never promise his subjects what HI
does not intend faithfully to perform. IL
trhe with his people is certain to brinl
down upon him speedily their vengeance
He had better risk the bomb of the nihilis
than promise and not perform, for thereby
he betrays his weakness without guarding
against danger. The first thing he SHOULD
do, in justice TO his people and that his ad
visers might the better know what reform
are most urgently demanded, would be t,
throw the gags and censorship off the press
. A country will never grow and peopl
will never hriye or experience any pr
gress in civil freedom but with an untram
melled press. This reform would lead I,
all others. 1t is reported that the commits
sion TO suggest reforms is appointed and a
work, but the press is still gagged. VIVA
can few iron soldiers suggest in the way @
civil service reform? The people mus
, speak before the end is reached. The
again there ought to be- as in other poi
tons oil Europe, popular body coming u
at stated intervals from the people, and
Russian should be made TO feel that h
Is man and has country, and tina
$ the age Of his slavery is passed Givel
!. these simple reforms, and time and INTEL
: gence will do the rest, and the czar sti
$ live, If these changes are not intended tn
A promised Russian reforms are mockery.
that unhappy empire promises have been s
generous and action so backward that BIT
little faith is placed in the present declari
tons of the car; but as he has begun {
feel that with him II is concession or dealt
y the Russias aud the world may hope f
: another victory for human rights and FIRE,
dom soon.