The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-29
WHAT OF RUSSIAN
HISTORY REPEATING
Car Nicholas Likened TO
Louis XVI
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
Historical Data May Foretel Result
of Uprising in Unhappy Russia.
Is There a Richelieu or a
Mirabeau to Lead2
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
BY FRANK v. EVANS.

the world is watching and waiting to
see whether or not the bloody events at
st. Petersburg means revolution and
reconstruction of the empire, we need
only turn back to history, and history
will make answer.
Is not Gear Nicholas playing the role
of weak and vacilating Louis XVI, un-
able or unwilling to handle the emer-
gency in a decisive way?
A high Russian official in Washington
is quoted by a newspaper correspondent
as saying:
This is revolution, or the beginning of
revolution, in my country. My govern
ment will be overthrow. The grand
dukes and the men responsible for this
awful, this fatal blunder, should be taken
out and hanged at once
This is a frank admission on the part
of an aristocrat and one of the govern
ing class of Russia, and a man of the
best information; therefore the remarks
may be accounted unerringly prophetic.
But there is other evidence of the truth
that the uprising of the common masses
of Russia is the beginning of the end OF
the Russian dynasty.
We turn back to history, and observe
the conditions which led to the disinte-
grafton of the Roman empire. While
true democracy was unknown to the
Roman people, the spirit of democracy
dwelt among them, and enabled the
slaves and vasSals to make some advance
ment in their social and political condi-
tions. Their grievances, long stihed by
the voice of authority, at length found
responsive echo in the discomfort of the
soldiers. who became insubordinate from
excessive Incidence and contemptuous
power from excessive indulgence AS
the civil authority was gradually usurped
by the military, disintegration of the en-
pire became manifest Pomp and splendor
sharpened the avarice, while luxury and
sensuality dulled the genius of the peo-
pie; and Rome fell.
AS the fires of discomfort smoudered
for centuries among the feudal slaves in
France preceding the extrpation of
feudalism in that country, likewise Is the
condition in Russia. In France they
burst forth suddenly into a great con-
flagration which lighted the country from
the channel to the Pyrenees, and spread
fury and devastation all round. The des-
olatfon which it wrought in its expiring
moments is accounted its lasting monu-
ment. For many centuries the feudal
vassals of France were deprived of civil
and political rights, without morals,
without religion, without property; beings
more than cattle, but less than men; be-
ings who had everything to gain, but
nothing to lose, in the overthrow of order
and destruction of power; beings who
knew how to hate; beings in whose reasts
ranked the scorn of power. When the
supreme moment arrived which gave
license to their pent-up fury, what could
have been expected to follow but that
vandalism Of anarchy that reign of ter
ror, that nightmare of horror that car
nivalof catholicism memoraby and for
ever known as the French revolution"
The morning of the seventeenth century
saw a new era dawn to France, when
the mighty arm and giant intellect Of
Armand de Richelieu gave a new impetus
to the world of thought, aroused anew
the love of chivalry in the people and
restored to France her national fame and
military glory.
The people of France had clamored
long to be restored to liberty and to be
relieved from the thraldom and oppres-
sions of their cruel and pitless task
masters. They were answered by the
minions of power in the name of the
law-driven to the galleys. and consigned
to the Bastile. The peasantry now formed
leagues and societies in every election
district, met In club rooms and halls to
discuss their grievances and organize IN
defense of their rights. Their protests
and remonstrances but served to excite
the ridicule of the nobility and clergy,
who deemed themselves secure in the
support of the military
A general election took place amid the
greatest excitement. Mrabeau, rejected
by the nobility, was the C. 3sen represent
alive of the communallty. The nobility
and clergy refused to meet with the rep
resentatiVes of the people. Refused adj
mittance to the legislative hall by cor
don or soldiers the tiers-etat repaired
without murmur TO Tennis court Those
brave and determined men assembled by
the will of the people to do battle for
constitutional government and the rights
of man. endured with silent patience
every affront by the nobility, remained
firm, unwavering, immovable in their
purpose and betrayed not trust. In
tho historic hall of Tennis court with its
dark and gloomy walls and rude floors,
with no useless ornaments or costly fur
niture, the deputies of the people stood
round bench to deliberate on the af-
fairs of state, found a new government
for France-a charter of liberty for her
people. No dilatory motions or puerile
points of order were interposed to retard
the progress of that solemn. thoughtful
assembly of men. bound together by the
sacred tie Of love of country and Of free
dom, never to separate "till the consti-
tuition of the kingdom is established and
founded on solid basis"
Induced by the intrigues of the nobil-
ity, the weak but perhaps well-meaning
Louis XVI undertook to dissolve the as
sembly When the Marquis de Broze
made known to the tiers-etat the man
date OF the King, Mirabeau--brave, fear
less, daring-rose up and, addressing the
Marquis. said Go tell your master that
we are here by the power Of the people,
and that nothing but the power Of bayo-
nets shall drive lis away"
Danger threatened on every side. Alarm
was pictured on every face as the Ma
tiona1 Guards surrounded the capital and
all communication with Paris was cut
off. The assembly demanded with
drawal Of the military but Louis hest
tated. vacillated between the promptings
Of his own better judgment and the
pressure brought to bear upon him
through the Vaccinations Of the nobility
| Wild rumors of the dismissal Of the
Minister of Finance and Of the imprison-
ment Of the assembly reached Paris
CONSERVATION seized the populaee. They
wildly hurried to the Palais Royal where
the mob was assembled, listening to the
most infamatory speeches
A young republican mounted the table
held up a pair Of pistols, shouting, ITO
arms!" The hour arrived the signal was
given. and the pent-up fury Of a nation
long in chains wildly broke the seal OF
feudal bondage. ITO the Bastile"
"Storm the Bastile," was heard above