Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-08-27
THE DELlvERANcE OF RUSSIA.

THE DELlVERANcE OF RUSSIA.
Not since the immortal Lincoln
signed the Emancipation Proclamation
and Alexander II liberated the 23,O0O,-
600 serfs in Russia has the world
known such an act of general pardon
as the manifesto which was issued to-
day by Gear Nicholas in honor Of his
heir. the boy baby who was christen-
ed amid great ceremony in the
church at Peterhof this morning
The light, so long withheld
from Russia. has burst upon the
nation at a most unexpected mo-
ment and Siberia, with its tortures and
its slow death. worse than execution,
has lost its terrors for all but those
who really deserve it. In granting am
nesty to all prisoners except murder
ers, Gear Nicholas frees more than
nine-tenths of the poor wretches who
have, In years gone by, travelled the
heart-breaking journey to the salt
mines and over the bleak steppes with
out a single hope of ever again seeing
the fatherland
The magnitude of the gift of the
car can hardly be realized by any one
not a student of Russian history. The
freeing Of the prisoners in Siberia is
not the only condition to his manifes-
to, but there are many others, equally
Important to those oppressed peoples
concerned whose miseries have been
kept from public knowledge until the
hour Of their deliverance because of
the lack of freedom of the Russian
press. The manifesto of Nicholas,
which will go down into history with
other epoch making documents like the
Declaration of independence, the Mag
ia Charta and the Emancipation Proc
lamation, includes the following provi.
sions:
Grants general amnesty in the
case of all political offenders ex-
cept those charged with murder.
Abolishes corporal punishment
among the rural classes and for
the first offenses among the sea
and land forces
RENTS arrears owing to the
state for the purchases of land and
other direct imposts.
<, Sets apart 81, 100000 from the
Z state funds for the purpose OF -
forming an 1nalienable fund for
the benefit of landless people of
Finland.
Grants amnesty to those Fin
y landers who have emigrated with
out authorization.
RENTS the fines imposed upon
the rural and urban communes of
Finland which refused to submit
to military CONSUMPTION in 1902
and 1908.
RENTS the fines imposed upon
the Jewish communes in the cases
OF Jews avoiding military serv-
ice.
The manifesto further provides
for a general reduction in SEN
fences for common law offenses.
No matter what may be the reasons
for the action, it is to be commended
by every Christian nation. Though il
may be said to be aimed for sympathy
in Russias war with Japan, or as an
offering to the gods to prevent great
er Muscovite reverses, it nevertheless
has been done and Gear Nicholas, who
is directly responsible, will be honor
ed as was his grandfather, Alexander
H. The work is along the line of a full
flllment Of the liberal plans begun by
Alexander II in 1856 and brought tc
the point of greatest good in 1861 witt
the liberation Of the serfs. Had he
not fallen victim to the bomb throw
ers. there is little doubt that he would
\ have provided his people with a con
stitutional government. But now the
light is again shed upon Russia. The
cycle has taken another turn and the
grandson of the first liberator is con
tinu:ng his great work. Siberia ane
it's terrors are past for innocent PEG
! pie. The freedom of the people is in
creased, and whether the country pro
crosses or goes to ruin now depends
upon those people Their actions
toward the throne will decide the flu
ture course of the car, no doubt. Nj
hilism forty years ago brought the PEG
pie to rule of almost slavery after AL
exander's liberal reign His kindness
was repaid with perfdy. But Russia
has learned her lesson. The lives of in
nocent subjects have avenged the deatl
of Alexander and now Nicholas take!
an almost unprecedented step ant
Z once more depends upon the people tt
justify his action.
Darkest Russia" will be forgotten
if the work begun today is kept up
Even now, no doubt, songs of thanks
giving are pouring out from countless
oldV LuTOdIS. INlCllOldS hdS DCSOIA'
their idol perhaps for all time, posi-
bly, for only the moment. But the ap
probation Russia shows for his actor
81 of today will decide her ability to gov
ern herself under constitution In
stead Of being governed with rod o
/ iron by an unlimited monarchy.
Days of Thanksgiving are yet t.
y come in Siberia. Far beyond the pail
of civilization. eking out scanty ex
/ istence or praying for kind death
expatriates who were happy in Russi;
are today shaving for the very warmth
that holds body and soul together. TIL
news Of their deliverance is travelin:
to them by slow route. Over tin
roads that they trod. footsore, weary
discouraged. they viii Sc out FROM s.
IBERIA. light heartsa. singing and agaii
happy. Asaln will they as able u DC