The Delta independent., 1894-10-24
A FRIEND OF PEACE.
THE czAR.s ooop RECORD
che Russian Ruler Flndb . Warm Defend
er In Charlse Emory Smith, Who
Speaks Highly Of Hfs Majesty's Char
acter


Speaks Highly of His MaJesty's Char
acter.
Philadelphia, Oct. 21.-Ex-Minister
Charles Emory Smith, who during the
time he represented the United States
ut st. Petersburg. had ample oppor-
tunity to observe the personal charac-
teristics of the car, talked interesting
ly to-day when asked by an Associated
Press reporter-for his impressions as to
the effect the death Of the czar would
have on tile Russian empire. Mr..
Smith said:
1.-The impending death of the car
would, In my opinion, be a serious mis-
fortune for Russia and for Europe. 1t
is not probable that there will be any
marked change in the conservative
part of the imperial government. The
policy Of the present reign has been
wise, prudent and firm. 1t is likely to
be followed. But in the nature Of the
case, with a new and untried sover.
eign, there must be solicitude until the
lines are settled. AS to Russia, in
ternally, the present emperor has Civ
en- her tranquility and stability. There
Is little discomfort, no agitation and
general devotion to the crown on the
part Of all classes. Unexpected
change necessarily breeds anxiety. but
1t finds loyal public temper, and with
wise counsels it will be easy to move
forward without disturbance.
Alexander III. has been an upright
and earnest ruler, less commanding
than Nicholas. less liberal than Alex
ander H., he has been we'll balanced.
His personalities have inspired conf
dence, both at home and abroad. He
has been steadfast, conscientious and
straightforward. He has shared the
rcactionary tendency which followed
the assassination Of his father, and
which has been unfortunate in some Of
Its Developments but with his firm
policy he has united q strong sense of
justice. During the famine Of 1892
and 1893 some extreme socialistic ar
ticles imputed 10 Count Tolstoi found
their way into pr : Tolstoi was en-
gagged In relief W, and some of the
ministers of the empire thought 1t un-
wise to let him go among the peasants
preaching his revolutionary ideas, and
they advised that he be placed undeT
house arrest. This action was greatly
denounced.
AN English fricrd of mine, just al
that time, visited for some days at
Tolstofs home. Whenever the clatter
OF hoofs were heard OF the road II was
supposed to be a squadron Of soldiers
to make the arrest AS matter OF
fact, the emperor refused to accept the
advice to place restrictions upon Tpl-
stoi. saying that while his doctril es
were wrong, he was doing a good and
humane work, and must not be inu.r-
rupted In 1t.
"No one could see anything OF tAe
pure and beautiful domestic life OF the
emperor or OF his laborious devotion to
the responsibilities OF the crown. or Of
his manifest desire to promote the wei.
fare of his people without great respect
for him. He has been Russian Of
Russians in his feeling and has aimed
TO develop the national spirit of bis
people. But he has Joined with this
national sentiment a deep personal
sense of right and duty"
In an article which appeared in t.
days Press. Mr.. Smith writes of tire
car rs follows:
THE sudden and swift collapse OF
the car in the very prime of life seems
strange and almost Incredible. He Is
only 40 years old. He had the stalwart
figure and physical prowcss of the Ro.
manoffs. Standing six feet two. well
proportioned, the very picture OF ro-
bust health, about the strongest man
in Russia, living n well ordered life, he
seemed the last OF the living sovereigns
upon whom dread disease would lay its
fatal hand. His moral rectitude and
his upright purpose have matched his
rugged manhood. His character and
impulses have inspired loyalty and
devotion at home and respect and conf
dcnce abroad.
For years he has been the sheet an
chor of peace In Europe. As crown
prince he won soldierly laurels In the
Russo-Turkish war, but as emperor ha
has been spremely devoted to continen-
tai peace and has been the surest and
most potent force In maintaining II.
In one hand he moderated the impuls.
i've ardor Of France and with the other
he warned and checked the aggressive
tendency Of Germany. He restrained
the hostile spirit OF others and re-
nounced warlike purposes himself.
Had he been restless and ambitious OF
military glory and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, he
might easily have applied the torch
which would have set Europe aflame.
But he held steady hand over the
great powers and refused to be dis
turbed and diverted by the pitiful
squabbles Of the Balkan states. Calm.
cool. firm and self-posscssed, he has
conserved the equilibrium and peace