Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1903-03-18
LIBERTY
A Decree That Shows the Progress Of
the Worlds Thought
CAR OF RUSSIA GROWS LIBERAL.
Local Self-Government Granted il
Some lnstances-A Long Step in
Advance.

st. Petersburg, BY Cable.-The Car
has published a decree providing for
freedom Of religion throughout his
dominions, establishing to some de-
gree local self government and max
ing other concessions to the village
committees. The decree, which was is
sued in commemoration OF the ami
versary of the birthday of Alexander
Ill, is considered to be the most sig
nificant act of state since the emanci-
patton of the serfs. The public halls
it as the proclamation of an era open
ing up bright prospects OF the cary
Improvement of Russian internal ad-
ministration. The text of the decree is
in part as follows:
The trouble 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 to Russian life. hinder
the general work of ameliorating tho
well-being of our people. These trou-
bles confuse the public mind. remove
the people from productive labor, and
often ruin families dear 20 our heart
and young energies among high and
low necessary to the internal develop
ment OF the country. In demanding
the tulfiliment of this, our will. while
remaining strongly opposed to any vio-
Iatlon oil the normal course of national
life. and having confidence that all
Will loyalty discharge their local du-
ties, We are irrevocably decided to
satisfy the needs for which the State
mas become ripe and have deemed il
eXpedient TO strengthen and decree il
eXpedient to observance OF the prin-
clples OF tolerance laid down by the
fundamental laws of the Russian En-
pire, which. recognizing the Orthodox
Church as the ruling one. grant to all
our subjects of other religious and to
all foreign persuasions freedom of
creed and worship in accordance with
other 'tes; and we are further resolv-
ed to continue the active carrying out
OF meaiures for the improvement of
the material position of the orthodox
~ri.ra' clergy, while enabling them to
uake larger share in intellectual and
public life
In accordance with impending
measures for the consolidation of tho
national economy, the efforts of the
State credit institutions and especially
the mobiles and peasants banks should
be directed to strengthening and de-
pillars of Russian village life and that
OF the local nobility and peasantry.
These principles marked out by us for
the disposition of the laws of the rural
population are, when formulated. to be
referred to the provincial government
councils, sp that with rhe assistance
OF persons enjoying the publics conf
dence, they may be further developed
and adapteh to the special conditions
of individuh hl localities. This funda-
mental principle of the inviolability of
communal property is to be maintain
ed. while at the same time means arc
TO be found to render it easier for the
Individual to server connections 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 en-
forced labor
Through reforms are to be effected
in the provincial governments and dis
tricts administrational by the local
representatives, while attention will
be devoted to securing closer cooper
alton between the communal authori-
ties and parochial trustees of the Or
thodox churches wherever possible.
calling upon all our subjects to CO.
operate in strengthening the founda-
tions of families. school and public life
under which alone the well-being OF
the people and the confidence of every
one in the stability OF his rights can
develop. we command of oar ministers
and chief officials concerned in this
matter to submit to us their views re-
garding the execution Of our inten-
tions."