The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-29
CoRoNATIoN DETAILS.
The Excitement in Moscow-The Procession
and Decorations.

The Excitement in Moscow-The Procession
and Decorations.
Cable Special to New York Times
l have just returned from the Krelim.
Moscow is wild with excitement Cannon
are everywhere firing in single shots and in
volleys, and 5000 bells are ringing as only
the bells of Moscow can ring in honor of the
event which makes the 18th of May in the
Russian calendar red-letter day in the an
nails of the Russian Empire Alexander III,
who succeeded his father more than two
years ago on the throne of all the Russas,
has at last been crowned and appointed
sovereign of the vast empire which owns his
sway. This morning, in the presence of his
imperial relations, his court, the various
deputies of his people, and the representa-
tives of the states and kingdoms of the world,
civilized and semi-barbarous, has assumed
the imperial crown, and was anointed with
the holy oil, thus comforting and consecrat-
ing, in the eyes of his myriad subjects. the
righteousness of his rule and the sanctity of
his person.
More than once during the last two years
| have heard the opinion expressed by peas
ants in the country that the present Emperor
uncrowned. The completion of the cere-
mony, which has so deep a significance in
the eyes of all orthodox Russia is now being
flashed along the wires to every part OF the
vast empire-to the wandering Samoyedes,
to the fierce mountaineers of the Caucasus,
to the survivors OF Cock Tepe, to distant
shores of the Pacific-and everywhere the
reign of Alexander III acquires a new and
higher prestige from the solemn celebration
which Moscow has been privileged to witness
to-day.
In point of religious faith the Russian
peasant of our times is in much the same
state as the villeins and serfs of England,
France and Germany were in the period of
the first crusade, and a war for the recovery
OF the Holy Sepulchre would meet with no
less favor here to-day than attended the
preachings OF Peter the Hermit, and the i'm
portance of to-day's anointment and corona
tion is only heightened by the fact that reli-
gion in Russia is in danger of being con-
founded with mere religious ceremony.
Moreover the church and the crown, sepa-
rate and even at times antagonistic, during
the early stages of Russian history were
fused into one by Peter the Greats high
handed conservation of himself as "Patri-
arch" Of Russia, and the Gar is to-day in
actual fact what Henry VIII of England
assumed to be $50 years ago-defender OF the
faith and head of the National church. The
scene have just witnessed is of such extra
ordinary impressiveness and brilliancy that
l almost despair of being able to convey
even faint reflection of its plories. Perhaps
the utmost that can be said is that it was
fully worthy OF the occasion of the assump-
tion OF autocratic power by the absolute
ruler of $4,000, 900 of people.
Moscow was active by daybreak this morn
ing, and at very early hour every spot of
open public space from which, glimpse
could be obtained was thickly packed with
spectators. Fortunately the line which the
procession was to follow vas long one, as
although the Emperor and Empress were in
the palace at the Kremlin, and had but a
short distance to go to reach the cathedral,
the procession started from the cavalry bar.
racks, four miles distant. A great body Of