The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-11-02
THE GAR! THE CZARl


yesterday precipitates "A condition II
European politics that has for weeks
been anticipated, and probably to some
extent discounted. The event reaches
far beyond Europe in its disturbing in
fluences. 1t is indeed probable
that the United States is the only
power of considerable size that is not
made more or less anxious by the death
OF the Czr-in any part of the world
and even here there must be some de-
gree OF perturbation until the future de-
velops itself enough to give bases tor
new alignment of relationship, or con-
firms the old.
AT this time IL appears as though
Russia has lost a better ruler than has
been gained. ALEXANDER III. will
doubtless be given by his
tory greater degree OF credit
for qualities essential to a good ruler
than contemporary criticism has been
inclined to accord him. The lif of no
ruler in the world is made so difficult to
justly estimate, by conditions surround
ing it, as the life Of Russian Gar is. No
ruler has TO endure such a tremendous
strain, and is maze thereby SO liable to
misconception, and SO liable to lose
virility and power.
That ALEXANDER III did not degene-
rate into brutal autocrat, in the worst
meaning OF the term, and in all his re-
lations to the Russian people, is all the
evidence necessary TO prove his excep-
tional character. IL has TO be admitted
that very much Of his policy and very
many of his acts appeared to liberal
Understandings wholly inexcnsable and
reachonary. 1t has also TO be ac-
knowledged that Russia has made
great progress under the regimen me
has doled out to its people, and the
capacious character of his foreign
policy. Russia has become an influence
in European politics that has, so far as
has been apparent to observers, been
wholly for Europe's good. Whatever
muy be the ambitious motives that lie
back Of it, there is no ground to doubt
that Russia has been the power that has
preserved, and that at present guaran-
tees the peaceU of Europe.
This is an item to ALExANDER's credit,
that of itself ought to warrant fame and
honor for his memory.
Not much can be said of the new
Car. NICHOLAS, except that all that is
known of him leads TO doubt and dis
trust; not indeed of his intentions or
his honesty aud amiability. 1t is con-
ceded that he is young man OF
exceptionally good character and purity
OF life. The doubt rests against his
force and power to conceive policy
equal to the great task he has been
called to assume. He would probably
make an irableconstitutional figure
head for a government like England's.
Russia has not yet passed the stage of
development that demands ruler mostly
composed Of iron and nerve.
NICHOLAS seems to he the expiring
ember OF the RoMANoFF family. His
life may be famed into blaze of re-
spectacle brilliancy for a time, but the
more reasonable supposition is that his
family will fade away, or be summarily
wiped out of existence as ruling
power.
The death of ALEXANDER opens the
door to radical changes in Russian policy
and even to attempts at overturuings
and revolutions. The men who have
acted as ALEXANDER's lieutenants are
some Of them more liberal than they
have been allowed To act. and
some are more deSpotic than has
been required of them. The new Car
will undoubtedly be dependent upon ad-
vice and open to influence. How he
may be directed, and who he invites To
the direction, cannot at once be known.
but are questions OF the greatest moment
and keenest interest.
Ii is satisfying to know that NICHOLAS
is disposed toward America as ALEX
ANDER was, and that we may mourn the
loss Of a sincere friend, without fear ing
TO lose the fruits of his friendship.