The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-04-26
ToLsTors LETTER 70 the czAR.

Tolstoi is power He is great man, greatly sincere
There is translation Of Of the many copies Of
Tolstos letter car being privately
circulated The style in seems very care
for distinguished writer; this is to be &C
by the written when the author
very i'll and bedrdden at the end of last year.
contents have become so generally known among ali we'll
Informed people that there hardly any doubt as to
its authenticity The request made on behalf of certain
Russian who ask to be allowed leave their pres
place of abode evidently refers their to join
their husbands in exile somewhere in the remoter parts Of
Siberia
Your Imperial Majesty Gospodar Nicholas Aexandrovtch
Kindly read through the enclosed letter yourself and
alone first intended you short
Listen to the prompngs Of your heart and &C
cordingly
1yine young women living at liberty with sufficient
for their needs and old marons beg special favor
selling al they have accumulated by hard work. to be
allowed to give up free and comfortable existence and
the horrible place of exile surrounded by the
NEST painful conditions. What must have the sui
ngs Of these people during six years Of separation
Ing alone in the most difficult circumstances? And how
moral and strong they it, in the midst Of their
sunerngs. they think themselves but Of one an
other and Of how to their marriage VOWS But
these not the only people who suffering here Hun
dreds Of such Russians the the people are under
going still suffering from religious persecution
which, through some astonishing misunderstanding con
nues to be practsed in Russia and even on the in
crease at time when ali enlightened persons and govern
mens have long ago recognized the fuy absurdty and
cruel injustice Of such persecution.
Il have long had it in my mind as sacred duty before
die to try open your eyes to the senseess and terrible
eruetes which perDerated in your name The accom-
panying letter from the Dukhobors has determined me to
put it of longer Thousands the best Russians sin
cerey religious people and therefore such as constitute
the chief strength Of every nation have been already
ruined are being ruined prison IL Punishment
have been out are being sent out of Russia
NOT n1v in no
but also in Russia proper 1000 Dukhobors notwhstand
ing al hardshDs and privaons quilted their father
and forever not only with regret but in from the
remembrance Of all they have had to undergo there Sv
ral thousand Moloani in district OF Kars as many in
Ervan, whose petition be allowed to esnigrate have
already submitted YOU the Mookani OF Iashkent and
some 1eooo persons in the provinces Of Kharkon and Kien
Nho are prosecuted for their ath-a these wish and pray
oF one thing only and that the permission to leave
Russia and 70 whore they may safely worship God as
they understand Him. and as ordered by the author
ties most Of whom recognize God whatever
IF You do not know of all the absurd cruelties which
are committed IN your name then allow me TO tell you
here that words VIII Be confirmed by any last person
whom you may commission TO investigate the matter Tu+
5nce knowing that your to Justify the infio
lion o suffering upon the innocent and the best among
the people and that able prevent it, you cannot
have peace Of mn6 until you have done this DO not take
counsel with the who have arranged this nlreatrent
10 be guided b them neither with Pobiedonostzon who is
man behind his time cunning obstinate and cruel nor
WITH sipiagin who is man of mediocre abilities frivolous
and unenightened Such people viii tell you that am
visionary an anarchist and Goddess person and that ali
say and advise is unjust what say is not from nv
own point OF view speak from the point Of your
majesty who IS able TO end the crimes commit
tea under the gise OF legality destroy bases GA
"hlcA sucn crimes are FOUNDED Therefore ih-
erty of advising follows l To revise and abolish
the contradictory and shameful laws existing In regard
10 persecution in the name Of religion which have long
ceased TO exist ID every other country except Russia ~
put end all persecution and punishment for de-
parure from the redgous creed the state and 10 nber
ate all persons imprisoned and eed on account Of their
faith and I'D 10 reconsider the question oil how to recon
Gle che requirements Of conscience in religious matters
with le demands Of the staleas Tor example the refusal
70 lake cath ana military sersice not =
punish such dissent crime. but try 70 reconcils m IN
consistency as was done il the Of the 8ennouss
by compulsory labor ia exchange Tor military service ana
solemn declaration to speak the truth courts OF a
instead OF the usual oath
Forgive nc have not explained myself clearly. ny