The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-08-13
THE A AEsoLUr1sM
Rspublicanism Was the Early Form
of Government In Russia

| The renewal of the assaults on the
person Of the car has called attention
again TO he lingering of absolutism in
Russia a half century after its Danish
tment from the rest OF the civilized
tworld- One of the odd facts Of history
lis that the nation which Is so slow 20
give up autocracy vas slow to adopt
lit Republicanism was tie early form
lof government in Russia Absolutism is
Iof comparatively recent growth. 1t
Twas forced on the people as a means OF
defence from the invading Mongols. The
tdinerence between the governments Of
lGreat Britain n Russia is largely a
Imatter of boundaries. The sea gave TO
IEngiand the defence which Russia was
forced to seek in an absolute monarch.
IN an article in the International
magazine j. Novicow, OF Odessa, points
lout the development of the power of the
Iczars. The ancient Russian population
lived under the administration OF the
Iclan- Then came government by the
tcity. The political authority of a GER
ltaln region was concentrated in a forti-
fled central town whose organization
was republican. A senate proposed
measures which needed TO De ratified
by a popular assembly. The Normans
Iwere responsible for the Introduction Of
the monarchy into Russia. A band OF
ISandinavians, commanded by a chief
manned Rurik, conquered a large terri
tory in the vicinity of Novgorod in the
ninth century, just as 200 years later an
Iother Norman, William. made himself
supreme in England. From Novgorod
las a capital Rurik levied tribute on the
free cities through a large territory.
His sens divided his possessions at
his death and each created for himself
Ia sort of kingdom. Most of the towns
RETAINED their old form of republican
government in spite of the invasion. in
some instances the Rurik princes were
driven out. Novgorod regained it's in
dependence Inc retained it until 1850.
When the princes had authority their
rule was not absolute. Frequently they
were forced to consult the popular as
lsembly. The descendants of Rurik
Icame to recognize the leadership of the
ruler of Kief, who held the title of
lthe rest of the empire was merely nomf-
nal. The title was contested and final
Fly was secured by the dynasty that
lreigned at Moscow.
In the thirteenth Gentry came the
IMongol invasion. The princes of the
house of Rurik banded together unsuc-
lcessfully to withstand it. Only the re-
IpuDllCS VI NNoNSOfOu anu ShOl pIeStTN v
led their independence. The Tartars
laid heavy tribute upon the conquered
Iprincipalitites. Resistance only brought
Iincursions of fierce, marauding bands.
ITO escape from their intolerable posi-
Ition the Russians instructed more and
more military power to the Ruriks. The
Igrand prince of Moscow was the natur-
lal leader in the movement against the
lMongols. and the people saw that their
hope of safety from the invaders lay
with him. Any measure which increas-
led his authority was regarded as benef1-
lcial. In this way the idea of autocracy
took root in Russia. The Moscow ruler
gained more and more power until
lSimeon, in the fourteenth century, took
the title Of grand duke of all the Rus.
lsias. A hundred years later Ivan III fl
Inally repealed the Mongols and estab.
Ilished his absolute rule throughout the
lempire.-Kansas City Star.