Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-21
SUNDAY. OCTOBER q. 1894.
The DYING Gear.

nat the DAYS Of Alexander III. are
sumborcd seems 10 longer TO admit Of
uuostion. AMI in the foreign capitals
Ejaculation Is rife as TO what Will be
Abe eject Of his death upon the European
rltuaton. This speculation assumes
Saried phases. some Of which are far
from optimistic. the more gloomy view
being inspired by the uncertainty that
pxists as to The character, ability. and
probable policy Of the Czarowitz.
Is IL is generally the unlocked for
That happens in respect Of Russia, the
procession may pass without any dis
turhance Of the established order OF
;hings. But Europe viii not breathe
freely until the new ruler shall have
welded The sceptrc d sufficient length OF
tmo 10 demonstrate positively his in
sentions in regard TO both his own sub
secis and his nc.ehbors.
The life Of Alexander H. has been
uttle less enyiable than that Of a con-
Wet I'm the siberian mines. and his reign
has been rcacti0nary IN the last degree.
Ills father. who was assassinaied March
s. 1851. and whom he succeeded. was
The most liberal sovereign Russia has
ever known bat nearly every promise OF
progress growing cut Of the reforms In
tutltoI by Alexander H. has been
tHghtel by the rcpressive measures OF the
present car.
Nev-rtho.-ss however much we may
nucstion the wisdom Of the policy Of
Alexander Ill. in tuning 10 pead-Sea
frrit Inc hopes of the Russian elements
,bo favored "a constitutional govern
,n,nt and TO matter how abhorrcnt the
nbsoluiism IL his reign may be 10 those
who have lived under limited monarchy
or republican form Of government 1t
must be recognized that there Is much
in the dying cars character and ca
reer that calls for admiration. Per-
sonally. be has proved himself the purost
If the Romauofs. He has been the i'm
,,iacable foe u court RIGHTEOUSNESS and
oiscial corruption. and. indeed. has it
been aptly said. that he is the peace Of
Europe.
During the thirteen years az his lease
rIon power h. has had to contend I'M
ce4slngiy with Nihilism on the one hand
and the pressure Of the war party on
the other. I.y yielding 10 the latter he
could have emancipated himself from the |
terrorism Of the former. which, when it
did not hold HIN a prisoner in his palace, |
recessitatad his constantly being sur
rounded by a guard. and could not fail
a. prey upon his mind and body alike
AL any moment, by placing himself at
tbe head Of his army. and declaring his
intention OF communicating the hope OF
Moscow. lie could have gained his free
nom. Time and again IT seemed that the
conditions that onv.rOntd him must force
him 10 this recourse. but he stood firm,
and refused t. drench the Continent of
Europe in blood.
Whether the Czarowitz viii have the
strength Of character-we may say the
moral courase-to follow In the footsteps
OF his father, and continue 10 maintain
the peace Of Europe at the expense OF
being an Imperial prisoner Is regarded as
very doubtful. BY some he is said 10
10 weak both In mind and in body. and
likely - yield 10 the influence of Berlin,
which. it cannot be questioned. VIII be for
peace. ~ others II is c0ntended that he
,nherits the iron Will Of the Romanofs,
md, l. ambitious to regain what was
snatched from Russia by the treaty Of
Berlin. II this latter estimate OF him
Re correct. Europe may well dread his
accession. for under the present treaties
Of the Continental Powers another dash
ut Constantinople would mean a. general
European war.