The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-17
Jews.

St. Petersburg, March 12.-The Car
has issued a decree providing for free
dom Of religion throughout his domin-
ions, establishing to some degree local
self-government and making other con-
cessions to the village committees.
The decree which was issued in COM
memoration of the anniversary Of the
birthday of Alexander III, is consider
ed to be the most significant act of
state since the emancipation of the
serfs. The public halls this as a proc
lamation of a new era, opening UP
bright prospects of the early improve
ments of Russian internal administra-
ton. The text of the decree is in part
as follows:
THE troubles %agitating our country
which to our deep regret have partly
been sown by designs hostile to the
state and partly engendered by doc
trines foreign and Russian life, hinder
the general work of ameliorating the
we'll being of our people. These
troubles confuse the public mind, re-
move the people from productive labor,
and often ruin families dear to our
heart and energies among high and low,
necessary to the internal development
of the country. In demanding the full
fillment of this, our will, while remain
ing strongly opposed to any violation
of the normal course of natural life anG
having confidence lat all will loyalty
discharge their local duties. we are 1r-
revocably decided to satisfy the hous-
ands for which the state has become
ripe and have deemed it expedient to
strengthen and decree the undertaking
observance of the principles Of toler-
ance laid down by the fundamental
laws of the Russian empire. which re-
cognizing the orthodox church as the
ruling one, grant to all our subjects OF
other religions and to all foreign per-
SuaSionS, freedom of creed and worship
in accordance with other rites, and we
are further resolved to continue the
active carrying out of measures for the
Improvement Of the moral position OF
the orthodox royal clergy, while en-
aiding them to take a larger share in
intellectual and public life.
I'm accordance with impending meas
ureS for the consolidation of the ma
tional economy. the efforts of the state
credit Institutions and especially the
alo'OlSo civ C1Sc ctlIho lloOlu ~
directed to strengthening and develop
ing the welfare and fundamental pill
lars of Russian village life n that of
the local nobility and ~peasantry. These
principles marked out by us for the
revision of the laws o fthe rural pOpu-
latiOn are, when formulated, to be re-
ferred to the provincial government
councils, SO that with the assistance of
persons enjoying the public confidence,
they may be further developed and
adapted to the special conditions of in
dividual localities. In his work, the
fundamental principle of the inviolabil-
ity of communal property is to be
maintained, while at the same time
means are to be found to render it
easier of the individual to sever con-
nections with the community to which
he belongs. if he so desires.
without delay, measures must be
taken to release the peasants from the
present burdenSOme liability of forced
labor.
Thorough reform is to be effected in
the provincial governments and district
administrations by the local represent
tatives while attention will be devoted
to securing closer cooperation between
the communal authorities and paro-
chial trustees orthodox churches wher-
ever possible.
Calling upon all our subjects to CO.
operate in strengthening the moral
foundations of family, school and public
life. under which alone the we'll being
of the people and the confidence of
every one in the stability Of his rights
can develop, We demand u ministers
and chief officials concerned in this
matter to submit to US their views re-
garding the execution of our inten-
tons"
Although the Jewish faith is not spe-
officially mentioned in the decree it Is
believed that the liberty granted to "ail
creeds' is intended to include the
Jews.