Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1903-03-20

There seems to be no doubt that the
young ear Is animated by the very
best motives" Professor Gottheil add
ed, "and wishes to do something fol
the betterment of his people. What he
wishes to do is not apparent from the
rescript. and even If 1t were 1t is very
questionable whether ruler so com
pletely governed by his state officials
as is the car could really make his
wishes felt. One feels like smiling al
the somewhat naive statement In re
gard to the principles of liberation laio
down by the fundamental laws of the
Russian empire.
"They may have been laid down, but
they have never been taken up and pu,
into practice. While all other foreign
persuasions and religions are mention
ed in general way, the only specific
mention refers to the improvement OF
the Orthodox rural clergy. This was
of course, to have been expected from
the car. who is the nominal head OF
the Russian church. AS regards my
own people. the Jews, they may or may
not be included among those to whom
liberty is to be granted.
"The Jews in Russia have never beef
much molested by the authorities IL
religious observances. and their terri
Bile condition. especially within the pale
of settlement. is due not to religious
but to economic restrictions. Not
word Is said in the rescript regarding
the abroga ton of those restrictions
and as little is said in regard to the
1brogation of restrictions which per-
nit only a portion of the Jews to enjoy
the advantages of school and univer.
sity education.
"The rescript, then, as it does not
touch the kernel of the Hebrew ques-
ton In Russia, can In no way affect
them. 1t has been our hope since the
who is reported to have high aspira-
tons, would do something to lift the
terrible burden from the shoulders Of
the more than 100000 Hebrews who
serve him with devotion. We may
hope for some amelioration of their
condition when rescript appears abol-
ishing the pale Of settlement and ad-
hitting the Hebrews to all educational
and commercial advantages enjoyed by
other races living In Russia"
Ernest II. Crosby does not see much
in the cars decree to arouse enthusi-
asm, says the New York American.
From the report of the decree, as he re.
ceives it, he is prone to see its vague
ness and apparent weakness. Edu-
Gated to certain extent upon Russia's
conditions by trip through that coun-
try, and an enthusiastic friend Of Toll
stoi, the famous writer and reformer,
Mr.. Crosby is in a position to gather
the real import Of the cars decree.
"The freedom the ear offers to the
nonorthodoX creeds," said Mr.. Crosby,
has been theirs for some time past
The orthodox creed and so called inter
ference with it has been the excuse for
the tyranny of the past. Yet the de-
cree says nothing except by implication
ON this score.
Promises, mere promises" he said
when the civil reforms mentioned In
the dispatch were taken up. 1.-THE gov
eminent has been making promises and
appointing commissions for reform for
years, but nothing ever comes of it.
The commissions live for awhile, then
pass out of existence without doing
anything and are forgotten. Then 9TH
ers are appointed, and SO the promising
and the appointing keeps on.
"The report on the cars decree Is so
brief that it is impossible to Judge Of
Its character, but it does not seem to
be farreaching. AS for the decree to
grant freedom of religion to all Rus
sian subjects who profess nonorthodox
creeds, that freedom. l believe, exists
already. For instance, the Catholics in
Poland and the Protestants in Finland
being tolerated, the only thing the Rus.
sian government objects to is the con-
version of orthodox Russians to other
creeds, and, so far as can Judge from
the cars decree, 1t does not affect
them.
IF it is the intention Of the decree to
permit the entire freedom of change Of
creed, it will be indeed a distinct ad-
vance, but l doubt that the decree will
prove so farreaching. The economic
measures covered by the decree seem
to depend upon future examination
by various commissioners, and, as such
commissions drag along for years in
Russia and frequently come to moth
ing, it is much too early to make much
prophecy.
"Tolstoi is mainly interested in the
material welfare of the people of Rus
STA, and when | talked with him in
Russia he had much to say upon the
| life and needs of his people. remem-