Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-03-21
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
A Decree That Shows the Progress OF
The Worlds thought
CAR OF RUSSIA GROWS LIBERAL.
Local Sesf-GoVernmeut Granted In
Some InStsuess-A Long Step In
Advance.

St Petersburg. BY Cable--Ihe Cxas
has published n decree providing for
freedom OF religion throughout his
dominions. establishing TO some de-
gree local self-government and max
irg other CONCESSIONS 10 the village /
committees. The decree. which was is /
sued Ia oommemoratiOn OF the ami /
versary CT the birthday OF Alexander
III. Is considered 10 be the most sig
nificant act Of state since the enamel
patton Of the serfs. The public halls
II as the proclamation OF an era open
ing up bright prospects OF the cary
improvement OF Russian internal ad-
ministrxtion. The text % the decree is
/ in part as follows:
The trouble aEitating our country,
which 20 our deep regret have partly
been sown by designs hostile 20 the
state and partly enEen6ered by doc
+ trines foreign 10 Russian life. hinder
the general work OF ameliOrating the
vell-being Of our people. These trou-
bles confuse the public mind. remove
the people from productive labor. and
often ruin families dear 10 our heart
and Young epergies among high and
low. necessary 10 the internal develop
ment OF the country In demanding
the fulfllment Of this. our will. while
remaining strongly opposed 70 any vio-
+ iation o. the normal course OF national
life. and having confidence that all
will Loyalty discharge their local du-
ties. we are irrevocabiy decided 20
satisfy the needs for which the state
has become ripe and have deemed II
expedient 20 strengthen and decree II
expeaient 70 observance OF the prin-
- n
; fundamental laws OF the Russian En-
, pire. which. recognizing the ORTHODOX
= I Church as the ruling one, grant 10 al
our subjects OF other religious and 4
al foreign persuasiOns freedom Q
creed ana worship IN accordance Wit
: other rites. and We are further resOlv
"a 10 continue the active carrying on
4 OF measures for the Improvement o
i the material position OF the orthodo
! rural clergy. while enabling them L
= rake a larger share ia intellectual an
!, public life.
= In accordance with impencin
e measures for the consolidation OF IA
= national economy. the efforts OF "a
State credit institutions and especiali
the mobiles and peasants banks shou.
&, be directed 20 strengthening ana o.
veIoping the welfare and fundament'
piIlars OF Russian village life and IN;
Z" OF the local nobility and peasantr
4. These principles marked out by Us Il
the disposition OF the laws OF the rur
population are. when formulated, 10
% referred 20 the provincial governme
councils. so that with the assistan
~ Of. persons enjoying the public's con
dence. they may De further develop
aud adapted 10 the special con ITO
- OF individual localities. This fund
mental principle OF the inviolahility
communal property Is 70 be maintai
ed. while az the same time means
- 10 be found 70 render 30 easier FOR [
individual 10 server Connections "
the community 20 which be belongs.
- be so desires
- Without delay measures must
- taken 20 release the peasants rom
~, uresent burdcnEome liability OF
forced labor
Through reforms are 20 be enec
In The provincial governments and
- trlcts administrarional By the 10
-. representatives,. while attention
be devoted 10 securing closer coos
alton between the communal au1n'
- ties and parochial trustees OF the
- thod0x churches Wherever posslul
Calling upon all cur subjects 10
operate in frightening the toea
-ions OF families. school and public
- under which alone the wel-oelne
the people and the confidence OF q
a. one IN the stability o. his rights
develop. we command Of our minis
80 ard chief officials concerned IN
- matter 10 submit 20 us their views
garding the execution OF our n
sfso lions.