The Washington times., 1905-07-20
Russia Nineteenth Of JuIu.

The news from Moscow will stir
the blood of every lover of political
freedom. The meeting of the zemstvo
congress marks the declaration of
Russian independence. The 18th of
July should hereafter be celebrated
as the Russian Fourth of July.
The congress assembled notwith-
standing the obstacles placed in its
way by the police, and il held its ses-
sion and discussed freely the condi-
ton of Russia in calm and digntfied
contempt of administrative prohibi-
tions and penalties. When the chief
of police ostentatiously took the
names of those present, the cry. arose,
Write down the whole of Russia, .
and even the mere spectators insisted
that their presence be noted as we'll
as that of the delegates. The climax
of courteous sedition was reached,
however, at the close of the afternoon
session, when each delegate handed
his visiting card TO the ebtef of police
as he passed out,
There was humorous bravery in
those visiting cards, a magnanimity
of soul thereby displayed that should
entitle the delegates to that Russian
congress to spiritual fellowship with
the stgners of the American Declara-
ton OF Independence.
The world has been told repeatedly
that revolution is impossible in, Rus
sia by reason of the lack of cohesion
between the people. We do not believe
II, Revolution began yesterday in
Moscow. Il began. decentIy and in
order, 1t was inaugurated by the
union Of the landed interests of the
country, the princes and the peasants.
aad it viii be carried forward by these
interests and by the intelligence and
strength of Russia TO success.
a country that can boast such men
as met in Moscow yesterday deserves
to be free OF tyranny and clear of
political corruption. The Russian mil
1ennium may not come at once, it may
be preceded by bloodshed and terror,
but it VIII come. Against such forces
as are now definitely arrayed on the
side of freedom no administration, no
army. can stand. Fer a time the auto
cracy may shoot down, may imprison.
may Danish; but the ultimate result
cannot be changed. Russia shall be
free because her people will it.
The temper Of the congress and the
caliber OF It's members can be judged
by the calmness of their procedure. /
There were no wild speeches. but the
whole tenor of the proceedings was
that Of g meeting of business men
who had work 10 do and did that
work regardless of threats and of per
sonal consequences. The constitution
which the congress viii discuss is
one worthy ef a free people and only
those entitled to be free could outline
such constitution. It's most import
ant provision is the control of na-
tional finances by the projected Iegis-
latnre; the taxing power is the one
tnaI rules.
The people of America. England,
and France will welcome the Russian
people to the society of the free. Our
governments must remain aloof from
all apparent sympathy, but the hearts
of their people will go ont to men who
are ready 10 brush aside political dis
tinctions of creed and race, who are
strong enough in spirit to assert
their independence and grasp their
inaiienable rights If necessary such
men may call on their brethren for
more than sympathy. and as they ask
so shall they receive
For the present system of Russ,a a no
one has respect save Nicholas and his
retainers; for the Russia that is to be
the world will have open arms.