The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-04
|RESCRIPT WONT
END AUTOCRACY
Cars Promises to People Still
Leave Throne Absolute
But People Rejoice.

. OC. petersburg, March An the
Alexandra palace at Tsarkoe Selo, sur
OF ministers and few members
OF the court, and, with the empress at
his side, Emperor Nicholas yesterday
affixed his signature to rescript con-
tanning his majesty Is decree to give
elected representatives Of the people an
opportunity to express their views in
the preparation of the laws Of the en-
pire.
This is the autocracy's final response
to the agitation in favor of participa
ton by thu, people in government which
has brought Russia IN the last few
months almost to the brink of revolu-
ton. Its import must not be misun-
derstood. For the present, at least, it
involves no change in the regime of au-
tocracy, and 1T means neither constitu-
ton nor legislative assembly. At the
the peoples right to be heard on the
laws under which they must live.
Marks an Epoch.
The document marks an epoch in Rus
sian history, as important, if not more
important than the signing Of the
emancipation manifesto, the twenty
fourth anniversary of which it was in
tended to signalize. The signing Of the
document came at the end Of a dramatic
scene, the climax Of which was an I'M
FASHIONED speech by Emperor Nicholas
to his ministers, in which he declared
he sought only the welfare Of his sub
jects. ~
IT am willing,' the emperor said,
"to shed my blood for the good Of my
people,
The Rescript.
The rescript follows:
True to the ancient custom of the Rus
feelings to the throne in days of joy OF
sorrow for the fatherland, the nobility
zemstvo assemblies. commercial associa,-
tons and peasant communities have Of
fered from all parts Of Russia congratu-
lations, on the birth Of the heir TO tho
throne, with expressions of their willing
ness to sacrifice their fortunes for the
successful termination of the war and tc
devote all their strength to the estab-
lish1nent Of order In the state. In my
own name and in that Of her majesty,
order you to convey to them our hearty
thanks for the expression of their loyal
feeling, which in the present very grave
times is all the more pleasing as an ex.
preston Of their Willingness at my call
to cooperate in the successful execution
of the reforms announced by me, and is
entirely in accordance with the wishes
Of my heart.
The Czar's Purpose.
My desire is to attain the fulfllmeni
of my intentions for the welfare Of my
people by means of the cooperation o.
the government with each organized
force of the community, and, continuing
the work Of my crowned ancestors, t.
retain the prestige Of the Russian natio1
m Mt lin, do
therein. I am resolved, henceforth, witt
the help Of God, to convene the worthless
men possessing the confidence Of the PEG
pie and elected by them to participat,
in the elabora ton and construction of leg
iSlatiVe measures.
Taking into view the peculiar condi
lions Of the fatherland the multiplied,
of its races, and, in certain parts of tn
country, the development of citizenship
Russian rulers in their wisdom instituted
reforms in accordance with their natura
requirements, but only in logical sequence
at tha--sanae-~t issae considering tha-eesa
tinuation Of firm historical ties with tn,
past as a pledge for the durability ant
stability Of the present.
In undertaking these reforms, I am con
WINGED that loyalty, experience Of life an,
wisdom will weigh in the election Of rep
resentatives by the people. At the sam
time 1 foresee the complexity and diff
Guilty contained in this plan.
I have confidence in your long admin
istrative experience and value your ap
probation of special conference to NEE
| under your presidency to consider mean
| to accomplish this my will.
May God. bless this good beginning Ma
! God help you successfully to secure tn
welfare of the people confided to me b
COD. - d. L Nicholas.
,.t Russia Happiest Hour.
The imperial rescript, announcin,
that Emperor Nicholas decided to con
vene an assembly of elected representa-
tiyes of the people to elaborate and con
slider legislation, has produced won
derful impression. It is hailed by man,
as a second emancipation proclaimed Of
the anniversary of the first, the Novo
Vremya characterizing the time of it
issue as Russia s happiest hour.
! The liberals are amazed and in tn
flush of enthusiasm are reading it as
recognition Of the elective principle an
the complete surrender of autocracy
but discriminating people, while regard
ing it as a great victory, realize that al
will depend on the manner in which tn
reform is carried out.
| R0MP MTECEE MARI