Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-03-17
LIpERTY FOR RUSSIA.

The decree Of the Car of Russia re-
laane TO religious liberty ana certain
cyil reforms may, or may not, be OF the
greatest Importance. It all depends on
whether il is carried out according to
the intention Of the emperor
1t expressly states that It is called
forth by the troubles agitating the
country" 1t is the Emperor's effort to
establish peace to the disturbed prov
lnces. For years these troubles have
been menace to the government oc-
casonally breaking out IN riots and
disorders. The Emperor has recognized
that they are a menace. AS he puts II,
they confuse the public mind, remove
the people from productive labor and
"often ruin families dear to our heart
and young energies among high and
low necessary TO the internal develop
ment OF the country"
As a remedy he first proposes TO
strengthen and decree the undertaking
observance OF the principles Of toler-
ance laid down by the Fundamental
laws Of the Russian empire which, rec
ognlzlng the orthodox church as the
ruling one. TO grant to an Of our sub
jects OF other religions and to all foreign
persuasons freedom Of creed and wor-
ship in accordance with other rites"
Russia has had religious liberty nom-
lnally, for years. The established
church Is the Greek Catholic, OF which
the Emperor himself Is the head, but
all religions have had liberty on pa.
per. Notwithstanding this. Jews and
dlssenters, and even Roman Catholics
have often been prosecuted, That, It
appears from the decree, win no longer
be the case. "Al our subjects OF other
religions and, what is especially wor-
thy Of notice, "all foreign persuasions."
are to be granted freedom Of creed and
worship. This embraces the Jews liy-
ing within the boundaries OF the em-
pre, and exempts them from persecu-
ton on account Of their faith.
The civil reforms are also notable.
Il is announced that while the COM
munal system win De upheld, facilities
win be given to the individual to with
draw from 1t when he desires without
too great sacrifice The peasants are to
be freed from the liability to forced la
Dor and the use Of the state credit in
situations TO strengthen village life, is
ordered
on course, between the announcement
Of these reforms and their practical ex-
ecution. is long step. The Cars in
tfntions are good. but bad government
is often due to bad oficeholders, and in
Russia the Emperor may not always
know what is going on in his vast
realm. How can he?
1t is wen that the reforms commence
with due attention TO religious liberty,
For ttat is the foundation OF an free
dom When the people are permitted
to look after the welfare Of their own
souls, they are rapidly educated in the
habit Of thinking for themselves, and
that qualities for self.goyenment
without religious liberty there can be
no true civil freedom
The next step ought TO be the free
dom OF the press. within the limits OF
decenoy ana morality Freedom OF
belief and freedom Of speech are two
mighty levers in the work Of cKinza-
ton.
u must be admitted that Russian
ulers have cause TO go slow In their
reform movements. The grandfather
Of the present Gar Alexander IL. freed
the sorfs lie was called the Peasant
car and the Great Liberator" a
strong demand had been made by a
powerful party Tor more liberty, and
Alexander II granted part Of the free.
dom demanded Yet, radicals deyel.
opod into a revolutionary party known
as Nihiists ana The man who had
granted more liberty than any other
Russian ruler was assassinated IN 1851
Alexander III spent his reign in trying
90 stamp out The N.h.lists and many
innocent persons suffered ln conse-
ouence The present Car though
having gone hacl; ou an comracts with
Finland seems 20 have determined TO
continue The work OF bis grandfather !n
Russia May he succeed,