The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1894-10-27
IMPRESSIONS Of THE Gar


-
IMPRESSIONS OF THE GAR.
Charles Emory Smith Talks of Ills Oh.
servattons While Minister to Russia.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Oct. 2a.-Ex-Min,
lister Charles Emory Smith who, during
the time he represented the United
States at st. Petersburg, had ample op.
~portunity to observe the personal and
political characteristics of the ear,
talked interestingly when asked by Il
reporter for his impressions as to the
effect the death of the ear would have
on the Russian empire. Mr.. Smith
said:
The impending death of the czal
could, in my opinion, be n serious mis-,
fortune for Russia and for Europe. 1,
Is not probable that there will be my
marked change in the conservative part
OF the imperial government. Tie pol,
icy OF the present reign has been wise.
prudent and firm. 1T is likely to be
followed. But in the nature of the
case, with Il now, untricd sovereign,
there must be solicitude until the lines
are settled AS to Russians Internal
affairs, the present emperor has given
her tranquility and stability. There is
little discomfort, no agitation and q
general devotion to the crown on the
part OF all classes. Unexpected change
necessarily breeds anxiety, but it finds
Il loyal public temper, and with wise
counsels it will be easy to move for
ward Observation-Disclosures. Aiexandei
III has been an upright and earnes'
ruler, less commanding than Nicholas,
less liberal than Alexander III. He hni
been we'll balanced. His ~personalitie
have inspired confidence both at HON.
and abroad. He has been steadfast
conscientious and straightforward. II,
has shared the reactionarv tendency
which followed the assassination of Iii,
father and which has been untortunat,
in some of its developments. but with
his policy he has united D stron}
of justice. During the famine ii
lS91-92 some extreme socialistic article
imputed to Count Tolstoi found theil
way into print. Tolstoi was engaged
in relief work and some of the ming
tiers of the empire thought it unwise t,
let him go y among the peasant.
preaching his revolutionary ideas ant
they advised that he be placed undei
house arrest. This action was greutl,
denounced.
IAN English friend of mine Just a,
that time visited for some days at Tol
stoi's home. Whenever the ~clatter O.
hoofs was heard on the road it wa,
supposed to be n squadron of soldier.
to make the arrest. AS Il matte. o,
fact the emperor refused to accept the
advice to place restrictions upon Toll
stoi, saying that while his doctrines
were wrong, he was doing u good and
humane work and must not be inter!
rupted in it.
NO Il could see anything of TIL,
pure and beautiful domestic life OF thu
emperor or of his laborious devotion I'd
the responsibilities of the crown, or hiI
manifest desire to promote the welfur,
of his people without great respect for
him. He has been a Russian OF Rus
SLAMS i'll bis feeling and has aimed to
develop the national spirit of his pco-
pie, but he has joined with this ma.
tional sentiment II deep personal sens
of right ana duty
In nm editorial in the Press, Mr.. Sm,t!.
writes of tho czur us follows: .srhe
sudden and swift collapse oil the czar
in tho very prime OF life seems strange
and almost incredible. He is only AZ
years old. He had the stal wart figure
and physical prowess of the Romanoifs,
Standing G feet ., well proportional,
the very picture of robust bcnlti,, about
the strongest man in Russia, living g
we'll ordered life, lie seemed the last o.
the living sovercigns upon whom dreac
disease would lay its fatal hand. Iii.
moral rectitude and his upright pun.
pose have matched his rugged man
hood. His character and impulses have
inspired loyalty and devotion ut home
and respect and confidence abroad. Ifoi
years he has been the sheet anchor o.
peace in Europe. AS crown prince he
won soldierly laurcls in the Russo
Turkish war, but as emperor he hal
been supremely devoted to continenta
peace and has been the surest and mos
potent force in maintaining it. Will
one hand he moderated the impulsivd
ardor of France and with the other h,
warned aud checked the aggressive ten,
dency OF Germany. He restrained the
hostile spirit of Others aud renowned
warlilke purposes. Had he been rest
less, ambitious Of military glory ana
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. he might easily have
applied the torch which would have Sc,
Europe ufinme. But he had a stcndy
hand over the great powers and refused
co be disturbed ana diverted by the pit
ifui squabbles of the Balkan states
Calm, cool and self possessed, he ha.
conserved the equilibrium and peace OF
Europe"