The Washington times., 1904-11-24
The Day S Lesson.

All over this great land today there
is feasting and gladness. The spec
tacle is more impressive when the
extent of the domain is considered.
From the SHOWS of the North, where
wild forests are mantled deep, 10 the
South, which listens 10 Fhe song OF
birds or hears the surf beating where
summer eyer abides, there is the
token of plenty and praise for un-
counted blessings Millions of happy
souls enter fully into the spirit of the
anniversary, rejoicing themselves and
holding out to the less fortunate the
hand of fellowship.
But the conditions are more strik-
ing by contrast with those other peO-
pies must endure. Here. despite the
lack OF perfection in the economic
structure. the apparent social wrongs
which do not seem easy to remedy, at
least there is liberty There is no
hampering of the conscience. The
mind is free TO think. and its cCnclu-
sions may fbe voiced without fear.
Each citizen has part in the govern
ment of himself. Each may toll along
chosen lines. with fair promise Of re-
ward No one bears a hated burden
OF militarism. There is no peril Of
war. No monarch's whim can send
unwilling subjects TO death in battle.
The people of Russia, in apprehen-
sion and doubt, are asking some small
part of the privileges that the Amer
lean has as such a matter OF course
that he is prone TO forget that they
are not the common possession of the
race. The Russians want education,
a release from absoluusm, q voice in
the framing of their own destiny. Yet
when they ask for these things, a
shudder passes through the circles
close TO the throne. and there is a
whisper OF revolution"
The Russians are fighting a desper-
ate war for a cause with which the
soldiers have no sympathy, for in
their ignorance they do not know
why they fight and die They have
never learned TO read, and so the re-
fining influence of letters is denied
them. They have never come into
contact with any social element cap
able of raising them. They have had
FautF aIrra Mo fr.a ,b,.ro H. .r....y,.l.I
beasts OF the field. The blind deyo-
tion to the Car, when this prevails, is
the expression of a mere instinct.
In the heart of Russia there is an
element that rebels. not yet with vio-
lence and turmoil. but with a sure
purpose. This element begs justice
on behalf of the masses. 1t does not
accept the theory that Russia is TO
rule the world. but believes the duty
of the state is first 10 learn TO gov
ern itself. II does not uphold the
ravage OF Poland and Finland. II
views with horror the cruelty, the in
iquity. and the sodden heIplessness of
the dominant forces that are working
what il cOnceiyes 10 be not the sal
yation but the ruin OF Russia. In
that stupendous domain there is pow
erJy. hunger, and discomfort always
So marked are these characteristics
that the endurance Of the Russians
suggests the cTinging acquiescence of
the dog that licks the shifting hand.
The people Of the United States
hope there are better days for Russia,
and for all nations. and they are espe-
cially grateful as they look about
them, and far away. TO realize that TO
themselves such days have come. and
that there is no threat OF aught that
might disturb their tranquility.