Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-02-06
ALEXANDER III.
Some of the characteristics Of the Czar
of All the Russias.

Some of the characteristics OF the Gar
of All the Russias.
The present autocrat Of all the Russias
came to the throne under circumstances
specially calculated to impress him with
the fact that the most powerful monarch
is helpless against the consequences of
serious discomfort among even a frac-
ton of his people. The lesson was not
lost, and internal difficulties of various
kinds have often given warning remind
ers of its significance. Alexander III
undoubtedly endeavors more frequently
than his predecessors to take into ac-
count the sentiments and aspirations of
his people.
Though the word foreigner" is in the
mind of the czar equivalent to term of
reproach, he is himself, little as he sup
poses it, very like foreigner in his own
country. Thanks to the complete sup
preston of everything approaching an
expression of public opinion, he has little
means of ascertaining the drift of ma
tional feeling, and from personal expert
ence he knows nothing of any class but
the higher officials of the state. 1t must
not be supposed that his consideration for
the wants of his people is due only to
selfish motives. Far from it. The pres
ent emperor of Russia is man of truly
noble character, thoroughly honest in
purposes, sincerely religious, kind in
heart, and most disinterestedly solicitous
for the welfare of his country. There is,
however, one strange apparent contra
diction in his character which may yet
have sinister results.
The czar is not gifted with the extraor-
binary intelligence which would be de-
sirable in his position. No man is more
modest as to his personal merits and
ability, but there is no man in this world
SO impressed with his own Importance,
in the peculiar light in which he views
himself, as the divinely appointed head
of the only true faith and of a specially
chosen people.
The most devoted of husbands, he is
yet ever conscious that his wife, born a
foreigner of alien faith, remains outside
the pale, and consequently the empress
has as little influence in his counsels as
if she were a stranger to HIM. The Office
of czar is, he considers, holy office; no
other mortal than the holder of that
office is on anything approaching the
same exalted level.
Any real or supposed slight or injury
to the chosen people, the Russians-to
their semi-dlvine head, the czar-or to
the only true faith, the orthodox Greek
faith-will Immediately rouse all that is
stubborn in the character of Alexander
III, and will be promptly avenged. A
true lover of peace, he will nevertheless,
without moments hesitation, plunge
his country into disastrous war, against
any odds, to fulfill what he considers to
! be his sacred duties. ...
This is the real and great danger which
threatens the world through Alexander
His belief in the sanctity of his own per.
son; and this belief has been extraordi.
narily strengthened, and the consequent
danger greatly aggravated, by the mar.
velous escape of the imperial family in
the Borki accident-an escape which is
confidently attributed to the special in.
terposition of the Divinity on behalf OF
his chosen and favored servant. Black.
woods Magazine.