The age-herald., 1898-01-09
By JOHN W. DUBosE.

The three great political revolutionary characters of the last half of this closing century, in order of appearance, are Abra- ham Lincoln, Bismarck and Diaz. The veto messages of Andrew Johnson, Lin- coins successor in office, preserve to pos terity the most authentic as well as the most revolting testimony of the methods, audacity and compass of the revolution led by Lincoln on record. Bismarcks s work was an outcrop of the orderly processes of civilization which have decreed that the day of small nations is passed. History will denomnate 1t Bismarcks work, with accustomed disregard of the indispensable accessories, in this case Emperor William, as he was, and Von Moltk standing alone in his part. Diaz has worked out the problem of Mexican fitness for emancipation from chronic revolution. Perhaps the phase '.reformer" might be claimed for him as the true synonym of his assignment among great characters. But the present Mexican nation is less reformed structure than an original creation.
 In the last century, one hundred years before Lincoln, Bismarck and Diaz, ma tured the conditions of the three great rev olutions led respectively by Washington, Napoleon and Catherine IL, of Russia. shall here write somewhat of the last named leader.
 No study in history will be found more enrapturing to the statesman of this day than systematic examination of the animus of the revolution of Washington, the revo- lution of Napoleon, the revolution of Cath erine, respectively, and the tendency to- ward a common result, qualified only by local environment.
 Sophia, Augusta Frederick, the Empress Catherine IT., of Russia, was the daughter of major-general in the Prussian army and his wife, a princess of Holstein wo- man of high native capacity. and extra ordinary culture. The daughter was born at the army post, Stettin fortified town, in the year 1729 In youth she was dis tinguished not by beauty of features so much as by commanding figure, ready wit and courteous department. Her hair was auburn, eyes blue and complexion fair. The mother devoted ceaseless attention to the education of her child in literature and art.
 To the lot of this child of destiny rose up an absolute reign of many years over all the Russias and by her arbitrary use of power government was maintained by strong and wise hand under great difficult ties, resulting in the permanent planting in that mighty expanse of some of the con- trolling principles and habits of modern civilization, there before unknown.
 In the bloom of young maidenhood, the Prussian princess was taken by her mother to the court of Elizabeth of Russia. Soon the Empress Elizabeth made formal appli- cation for the hand of her young visitor for the Grand Duke Peter, her handsome son and heir to her throne. The marriage con- tract was drawn and the most lavish prep arations for the nuptials were made at St. Petersburg. The bride openly embraced the Greek church preliminary to her mar riage under it's rites
 Christmas day, 1761, the Empress Eliza beth died.
 Peter IT., grandson of Peter the Great, immediately ascended the Russian throne. He was of kindly nature, licentious in his habits, with small education and void of the kingly character in sagacity or firm ness. His reign was only for few months. His nobility and army deserted him and his Prussian wife reaped the rich fruits of the rebellion against him which she had her self instigated and directed
 On the very evening before the day ap- pointed for his marriage Peter was strick- en by a fever which soon developed in smallpox. Convalesence followed after long waiting. The betrothed lovers met. While the interview continued Catherine dissembled her horror and suppressed the instinctive disgust of the face upon which she was plighted to press in love to her lips. Freed from the presence of the mu-