Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-11-18
RUSSIAN LIBERTY.


from an unwilling nn%tocracy, Russia
to-day is faced with dangers grayer
even than that land Of outrage and
| despotism has eyer known II Is pos
sihle that the very movement by which
the present measure of liberty has
been secuhed may be the instrument
which win result in the innndation
OF the empire with a red tide of an
archy far worse than the sorrows and
sufferings OF the rule OF an auto
crat.
The mighty movement which gained
sufficient strength 10 force sweeping
concessions from the despotic Roman
ofs has gained such momentum that
the red flag of anarchy has been free
ly Haunted In the open streets, and
has been waved over bloOdthlrsty
mobs and scenes OF hideons riot, The
anarchists and the Russian socialists
and there Is little margin between
them-claim credit for the achieve
ment OF liberty, but TO them liberty Is
another name for license. They do
not want constitutional government.
They want a dissolution Of all forms
OF government. BY another great gen
eraI strike and by boldly producing the
red flag these revolutionists hoped
to bring on the reign OF terror imme.
diately. Happily the Russian masses,
who In their ignorant and debased
condition fall easy prey to the wlles
OF their leaders. appear 10 have found
safer counsel than that of the an
archists, and the strike movement for
the time has failed.
But that scope Of liberty which al
lows every man a voice In the govern
ment. and which assures protection TO
him, Is not the kind the socialist
leaders Of Russia demand. Their
dream OF liberty Il a reign OF terror
and absolute lawlessncss. They want
the privilege OF looiing and assaulting,
OF lcyeling all the barriers that guard
the rights Of their neighbor. For an
Unsuitable lust for blood Is the anar-
! chists creed and the Russian socialist
idea differs from II only in degree,
That arrant knave and fraud, Gorky,
with whom Americans We're inclined
to sympathize not long since, Is a nj
exponent OF the socialist idea. Tie
nses the first opportunity he has Sc.
cured to express himself without en-
dangorlng his life, to advocate a con
~tinuation of the horrible persecution
Iof the Jews. and announces clearly
that the tide Of liberty must flow II
such channels as he and his party al
reefs, or It's progress must be check
Cd. There Is no hint Of federation
for the opinions or beliefs or prac
tees Of Others. II Is the old cry o
THE Koran or the Sword. revised u
suit the. socialist.
The attitude of these apostles Q
liberty Is worse than that OF our MAJ
row.niinded Puritan fOrefathers, ave
rage sort OF English peas antis, VIM
were very willing to vouchsafc tn
blessings OF liberty to these VINO De
lfeyed as they I'D, but who though
II their duty p~ersecute every one cruel
~ who didn't. The genuine prin
ciples Of liberty, however. soon tool
ROOT on this free soil, but there seem
to be little hope for such growth IN tn
unfriendly soil OF the woefuny divided
Russian empire.
The question Is:
Can THE intelligent and orderl
people of Russia subdue the MOB
!, Is an awful thing to turn loose IN
hungry wolves of anarchy upon
practically defenseless people. a
ready terrible stories OF mob atroc
Ties come from the larger cities OF "
terror Russia. which indicate an III
usual activity ON the part OF the law
less. County Witte has a grayer re
sponsibility resting on his shoulder
now than at any time in his remarks
bic career. He has gained his pom
with the Car. but to what purpose
Can he unite the sober and conserve
five elements OF the popnlace to resis
%anarchistic plumber and riot? Can n
demonstrate TO the world that the Rus
sian people are ready for self.go'
ernmentp