The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-04-29


boards the address drawn up by the
council of Tver vaguely expressed the
modest hope that his majesty's conf
dence might not be wholly restricted to
the bureaucracy, but would likewise be
shared by the Russian people and by
the zemstvos, whose devotion to the
throne was proverbial. This was rea-
sonable wish; 1t could not seriously be
dubbed a crime, and even II 1t bespoke
a certain spirit of mild independence 1t
was after oil the act of single zemst-
vo, whereas the men who had come to
do homage to the emperor were the
spokesmen not of one zemstvo, but of
all Russia. Yet the autocrat strobe ma
Jesdcally into the brilliantly lighted
hall and with knitted brows and tightly
drawn lips turned wrathfuily upon the
chosen men Of the nation and, stamping
his little foot, ordered them 30 put away
such chimerical notions, which he
would never entertain.
Between those two public appear
ances OF Nicholas H. lay that short
period Of suggestion during which the
unreasonable youth had been made
not 80 much TO believe as 30 feel that
he was GodS lieutenant the earthly
counterpart Of his divine Master. From
That time forward his majesty has been
nlled with spirit Of self exaItation
which has gone on gaining strength in
accordance with the psychological law
that pride usurps as much space as
servility is ready to yield. Nikolai
Aiexandrovitch soon began to look M
on himself as the center of the world.
the peacemaker of mankind, the torch
bearer of civilization among the .vel-
low and other 'barbarous" races and
the dispenser of almost every blessing
to his own happy people. Taking seri-
ously this his imaginary mission. be
has meddled continuously and directly
In every affair of state, domestic and
foreign, thwarting the course of justice,
undermining legality, impoverishing his
subjects, Boosting his fervent love of
peace and yet plunging his tax bur
dened people into the horrors of a san
culinary and needless war.
The only government suited to Rms
STA Is strong monarchy, but between
this and wild oriental despotism there
is difference. Nicholas H., although
not guided by his official advisers. has
never been free and independent rul-
er. During the first part of his reign
he was kept in leading strings bv his
mother, who as soon as he assembled the
throne impressed upon him the neces-
sity OF initiating in all things his
never to be forgotten father" In real
ity the two men are as far asupder as
the positive and negative poles.
Inc father, sincere, gloomy and mar
row minded, at least instinctively felt
his limitations and steadily kent with.
In them. He strove with indomitable
perseverance and occasional success 70
secure within the narrow circle Of his
acquaintance the best men and bav.
Ing once chosen an adviser ALWAYS ask.
ed his counsel and usually followed II
Again, breach Of faith was an abomi-
nation to him, and his word was re-
garded as better than any bond. In
spite of his mistaken attitude toward
the Firms and his broken promise IN
regard to Batum. But In all these
characteristics the son is the very ON
posite to his father. Unsteady baI,
hearted. self complacent and tickle he
changes his favorites with his Atm
moods, allowing band Of casual oh
scure and dangerous men to usurn the
functions Of his responsible ministers
whose recommendations are Ignored
whose warnings are disreearded and
whose measures for the defense of the
state are not only bafiied. but resented
as symptoms Of disobedience.
End Of Mothers S4Vay.
The sway welded by his mother over
Nicholas H. soon came 10 an end ow.
ing chiefly 10 differences between her.
self ana her daughter-in-law ON the
subject Of the emper0rs children A.
the course OF that rivalry the strernons
opposition OF the young wife checked
TIE influence OF the mother over NE
son one Of the consequences of this
domestic struggle for tle mastery wos
ihni ille emperor freed himself partlol.
~ ana for a dime from unofficial can.
uoi nnq hls hrsi Spontaneous aot AL
rue second year of hls roign. was M
Appoint ~ 2Qromyhn, a man devoid
I" NuNliien''onf, Az ihe posi- M minis.
~ NJ i'i' interior lihl0 lhls omaal
tNN'''l'rN ip power fQr ihroe yoals Ind
hf iNNn uAnfp'Nnill M Nln nr0slaen.
AZ W Nlf NNWm|iif0 M m|n.aian 4
fq'i M lf.no'iaD|o muaa f.rl4..faie,'
mtN ll. NlnH.lr III a...a.lI.
rNMfn ll mn mnN0N0o M MI .i.Da...
fNNI NN M.YNum Nu.. l...
l'N' pom lN f.l0M0Illo MA a6...f
lIN..'0N lnNNn. NNI Tradition. 0.llI.
,.'. VIZ N N''00 M N00Y0IlH
N NH N'''pe ~ lW0lv Nv