The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-22

the end Of these efforts will not end in
mud.
ACRUSHING OUT OF LIBERTY.
The freest spoken paper in Finland, The
New Press, has been finally suppressed by
Russia, and the Films are today without
any means of making their wants or cause
known to the rest of Europe. The New
Press got an intimation OF the intended
action OF the Russian government and
thereupon printed an editorial setting forth
the historical relations Of Russia to Fin
land, and protesting against this extin-=
gushing of free speech by tina Russian
government. The editorial sets out the
fact that Alexander the First, OF Russia.
after the war with Napoleon, acting in the
capacity OF hereditary Grand Duke of Fin
land, issued proclamation on February
21st, 1916; in which he stated, first, that
she had enjoyed with the highest satistac-
ton the unmistakabls proofs OF loyalty OF
his Finnish subjects. and says further I'VE
are convinced that the Constitution and
laws which correspond with the sentiment,
manners and education Of the Finnish peo-
pie for long period of years. constitute
the foundation of their good Citizenship,
peace and liberty, and could not without
serious danger be abridged or altered.
In view OF this the Emperor guaranteed to
the Films continuance of this Constitu-
ton, and the right OF self-government 'in-
dependent Of all other power than that of
the law, which we, as Ruler, practice our
Selves" The Gar protested that he had
but one desire, and that was to show for
all time to come his regard for his Elm
nish subjects, and to seal tho assurance
that they received regarding the perpetual
ing of their special Constitution under the
rules of ourselves and our successor, he
added, eve further give the most power
full assurance that the members OF this,
our Finnish Senate, in the future, as well
as heretofore, shall be selected only from
native born OF naturalized citizens"
In an editorial on this proclamation,
which, as The New Press well knew, was
its last public utterance OF any sort. re-
ferring to the undetermined Emperor
Grand Dukes weighty words about the
duty OF the Senate to care for the man
agement of the country Independent OF
all other power than law which we, as
Ruler, ourselves practice" it says: 'In
and through these words, which, IN all
cases referred to, must be OF conclusive
weight, Alexander acknowledges that the
power Of the Monarch, and the parts,
thereof delegated to the Senate, are lin
tied by law In other words, he acknowl-
edges. that when ono act or another is in
contradiction to the requirements OF the
law, neither the Monarch nor the Senate,
in the name of the Monarch. have the
right to perform such an act.
''It is this understanding of justice that
has hitherto prevailed, and which. by the
help OF God also, will prevail and be the
guide in the future fate of our country.
In the light of righteousness our people
have always been living, and in this light
they shall one day conquer as certainly as
truth and righteousness shall prevail above
all things
Where can more beautiful on touching
appeal to truth and justice be found? It
is no answer to say that the Einns are
weak numerically, and have been overrun
by the Russian power. They have grown
up under form of government that was
essentially self-governing and free. They
are brave, self-denying, liberty-loving, ed
ucated and filed with high resolves; they
have, as nation and a people, carried the
standard in Northern Europe for national
civilization.
We do not believe that any statecraft or
diplomacy can be founded in justice or
destined to endure that finds it necessary
to stamp out the aspirations and the liber-
ties of such a people, and they have our
deep sympathy in their af1licton.