The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-22
LIFE STORY OF ALEXANDER III.
Part the Dying Monarch Has Played
in His Short Reign.

Alexander Alexandrovitch, Emperor of all
the Russas, has played most active part
in the history of his own empire, and, in
Decd in that of Europe, since on March I3
1884, he succeeded to the throne. His prin-
cipal endeavors have been directed to the
stamping out of Nihlism. He has worked
increasingly to develop the military power
of Russia, and to organize her Asiatic and
Caucasian provinces, not forgetting TO keep
a careful watch on Constantinople and the
Balkan peninsula; he has Withdrawn his
country from close relations with Germany,
and made it the active ally of France but
over and above everything has the suppress
sion of Nihilism been his aim. Indeed, he
ascended the throne with a well-founded
dread Of this anarchistic society, and its
Vaccinations against him have made his
reign most unhappy one.
The reign of Alexander III has been a
period of sharp reaction. In later years
Conservative, as the son of liberal fa;her
often is, and absolutist, 5 every Ro-
nianoff is. Alexander III has been driven,
by the murder of his father and the Nihilist
attempts against himself TO believe that
his throne was in danger, that revolution
in the air, that every Liberal was his
persistent foe, and that the only safe policy,
either for Russia or himself, consisted in
stamping out all germs of liberalism. Ac-
cordingly the authorities of all kinds es-
pecially the police, have been streng thened
until they are nearly absolute; the sover-
eign has secluded himself until he is almost
prisoner; only to be a Liberal without
action has been treated as a penal offense,
Russians being punished for merely buying
"incendiary" publications; trials have been
handed over to obedient courts; the treat
merlt OF prisoners has become more severe,
and the terrible weapon of administrative
sentences. which so greatly exasperated the
contest between the French people and the
old monarchy. has been employed with as
much freedom as under the Emperor Mich
olas- Almost all local bodies have been
deprived of their authority the press has
been limited TO foreign subjects, and the
universities have been regulated and super
vised and deprived Of privileges, until the
whole educated class of Russia is, on the
AT the time of the assassination of Alex
andar ii he held the most important mill
| of all the troops in the department of. the
| capital, succeeding therein his uncle, Field
Marshal the Grand Duke Nicholas This
a merited acknowledgment by the Car
| of the great service his had rendered
| in the Turkish campaign. Had Mehemet
ALI been able 10 break the line so stubborn
ly held by Alexander Aexandrovitch the
entire Russian army would have been
seriously compromised. If not wholly de-
| stroyed. His conduct in this trying posi-
ton won for him in all military circles the
] reputation OF able generalship as well as
| unsurpassed personal bravery and endur-
| ance. That he had been no carpet soldier
| was evident from the marks Of frost bite
the third and fourth fingers of his left
hand and slight scar on his temple, where
a bullet grazed it in one OF the battles in
| the Turkish war
For some time after his elevation TO the
| throne Alexander III seldom appeared in
| public. but lived in the closest retirement
at Gatschina. being in constant dread OF
| the Nihiiists. His coronation did not take
| place until May n, 1883. at Moscow. his
! entry TO the city having been accomplished
/ in a gorgeous procession five days earlier.
His life since MS accession to the throne
has been so closely interviewer with that
< of his country that TO attempt to record
/ IL would be 10 write the history OF Russia,
IL not that of Europe for the past thirteen
| years Immediately personal are. however.
the attempts upon his life by the Nihilists.
''It is really very hard he said on being
| designated heir apparent by the dying
Nicholas. that out OF the whole vast Ras-
sian nation / should be selected by destiny
to be Car" The phrase was no empty
| anectation of nodesty. The burden OF ter
rible anxiety that must daily and hourly