The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-24
THURSDAY, SovBN1BER q, 1904.
Russian Democracy.

& - 4
Not long ago it was our pleasute
have nersonal interview with an COW
49,, c,tizen of Finland, who was traNei-
ing in the United States. IN t!'e cou' .
ofGp,hich he said that contrary 20 popuT
~ .,.,ief abroad, The Russian common
people were saturated with 'he sp't'.
democracy 1t was statement iN''u :.
3 believe. vet 1t would appear from re s'
events in Russia that IT as true - neg
manifested itself in way uhat Is s' l'.
ling and sensational i'll the meet'tls u - .i'e
-ametvos representatives. which mas JUST
oo,,, . j close This meeting was GEM i''-
DORA tic gathering, and represented the
shirt of democracy TO when Tue e s'1'
M Finland referred. The 1neellng was
neaceable and without revolutionary oe ei''-
onstrat ton. but 1t was characterl]eu W
intense earnestness and !. mas p orous
pnssian autocracy face to face with Tue
4 5cravest crisis in8its history. AS sohlc-
body has remarked about It's IlDera' W
nressions seem to have crystailzea M az
Instant into n demand for a popular sl'a'
IN the government that defines Sharply
ana inevitably the irresistible conll'c :.
hctween Russia and the Russian people.
rhe memorial adopted by the Zensl'os
representatives reads much ike the A .i'
s,can Declaration of independence. IL ~
,,atc Oh In This memorial that the abnor-
NAL system of government prevailing IN
Russia is due TO complete cstrahse'1'e'''t
or government and people, and absence
~ The mutual confidence so necessary TO
national life.
That these relations between the gov
crnment and the people originate from
apprehension Of development Of popular
initiative and persistent efforts TO ex-
clude the people from participation IN m
ternal government.
That the bureaucratic system OF caus-
inr estrangement of the supreme power
and the people creates a. field for woe
scope OF admins trative arbitrariness and
personal caprice. Such q condition de-
prIves the nation of the necessary assur-
ance that the rights Of each and all VIII
he protected and undermines confidence
in the government
That the normal current and evolution
OF state and nation is possible under the
condition Of clpse living and union and the
Sao-operatiop Of. the Imperial power with
the people.
That in order to exclude the possibility
of the display Of administrative arbi-
trariness and to guarantee personal rights,
1t IL necessary TO establish and consis-
tently apply n principle by which no one
will a,c subjected to punishment or to re-
str!ction Of rights, without the decision
OF the independent legal authorities.
That for tho unrestricted expression of
public opinion and free satisfaction Of
popular needs, 1t IS essential to guarantee
freedom OF conscience and speech and
OF the press, and also freedom Of meet
Ing and association.
That self-rcllance Is the chief condi-
ton of the proper and successful devel-
opment Of the political and economic
life OF the country.
4 This is American democracy pure and
dNple, and II these principles be put into
opef.ation in the Cars domains, the occu-
patton of the Gear will be gone aud Rus
sia will become full-tedged republic.
r In speaking to the resolutions, one Of
the members OF the convention said that
B the chief characteristic of Russia's exist
cnce was complete arrangement of rulers
and people, due 10 the lack OF mutual
confidence; that under the existing con-
dition OF affairs tho government had no
means OF knowing the truth about The
country. and what the people wanted, aud
30 was reduced TO act upon what II
thought was best for the people; bu,
that such action only made matters worse
and led 10 plumbers and continued eg-
arrangement, '"rhe truth Is" he con-
tinued, 1.-THE people are excluded from
any part in the government. Instead Of
encouraging selfrclance, VIZ foster tute,
lage by centralizinS power In The hands
Of bureaucats. Progress is impossible
so long as bureaucracy blocks the guar.
anty OF personal rights. thereby paralyz
Ing the very essence Of individual initia
4 tive. The absence OF freedom OF con
science, speech and press are prime fac
Tors in the estrangement Of rulers AN,
people,
He concluded his remarks by saying
That no real reform was possible wlthai.
equality OF all individuals before the law
and that for tia. reason the peasant
must be rescued from their present con
dItion OF servtude and granted equa
rights with other classes OF The con
muiiity
The Car has been living far away fro!
his people. and doubtless has been d.