The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-16
PETRUNKEVICH
 4 BORN LEADER Will Be President of the Rus
 sian Douma IDOL OF THE LIBERALS Was Chairman of First National Con- ventIon of Constitutional Dem ocrats at St. Petersburg.
 Remarkable Talent.
IDOL OF THE LIBERALS

ed in Russia the man whose name for score of years has been in the fore front of Russian liberalism and who now as the accepted candidate of the const
 tutional democrats will be president of the douma, does not look the born lead CT he undoubtedly is. A bearded man of 50, of medium statue, he would hardly attract a second glance in an ordinary assemblage. But upon closer examina- ton the deep lines and piercing eyes be- meath shaggy brows lend to his other wise ordinary countenance an intell- gence and force which marks him as a man among men.
 He comes from noble stock an old fam- ly of the province of Chernigoff, where he was reared. After having brilliantly fin- ished his college career at the universl- ty of Moscow he lived for ten years upon his estate greatly interested in the peas ants, studying their life and habits and needs At the same time he served in the zemstvo of the province and there really began what might be called his public career. But his natural inclination to liberalism and his outspoken declarations in favor of measures to educate and lift up the ignorant peasantry aroused hostl- ity among the bureaucrats of St. Peters burg, who were early apprised of his growing influence and he was dismissed from the zemstvo service exiled from his native province and forbidden to live in either of the two capitals, St. Peters burg or Moscow,
 He then took up his residence in the government of Tver where he acquired an estate in the district of Toriok and at once became active in the affairs of the zemstvo of the province. It was not long before the zemstvo of Tyer under his inspiration. became renowned as the most advanced of all the zemstvos in Russia.
 But it was not until after the death of Alexander III that the incident occurred which made Petrunkevich's name re- sound throughout the country.
 Upon the accession of Nicholas II all l the zemstvos sent addresses with felici- tations for the young monarch, condol- ences fr Enc loss of the late EmTrror and best wishes for long and prosperous 1 reign.
 An Extraordinary Message. The address of the zemstvo of Tver, however. was an extraordinary document. While repeating the felicitations and for mulas of the other zemstvos 1t added that l for the welfare of Russia the new mon arch should give a constitution to hs people expressing the opinion that only thus could Russia flourish. "A continu- ance of the old regime" it said will lead the country to perditon." This the first time that the word constitution could be said to have been openly pro nounced in Russia and Petrunkevich with Rodechoff were the authors of that his toric document.
 It, with the other addresses were for mally presented to the Emperor Novem- Der 2O 1896 when he reqeived the deputa tion of nobes and zemstvoists. although actually they had been sent to the Elm peror in November 1894. a month after the death of Alexander III Amid grand pomp all those who had presented ad- dresses to the Emperor were assembled in the magnificent Nicholas hall of the Winter palace. Petrunkevich headed the deputation from Tver. 6
 First Public Appearance. It was the youthful Emperor's first pub lie appearance. He was plainly embar- rassed Surrounded by a brilliant suite he came forward attired in the smart uniform of the Chevalier guard. In his left hand he held his helmet and inside his helmet was a sheet of paper on which was written the speech he was to deliver Timld pale with emotion. the Emperor with his eye constantly travelling to the helmet in his hand commenced his speech of thanks for the addresses which had been presented. Ills majesty touched the question of his future policy lightly. saying only that he would follow step by step the policy of his dead father. And then he reached the phrase which was to become historic. While thanking the zemstvos for thelr patriotism, the Elm | zemstvo of Tver-had not realized his confidence. Tt has permitted itself" said the Emperor. his voice trembling and his eyes glancing furtively for support into the cold. hard face of Pobiedonostseff the procurator of the Holy Synod who stood at his side and who was the real author of the speech. "it has permitted itself to speak of constitution That gentlemen, is a senseless dream" Idol of Liberals.
 Those words reproduced In all the pa pers throughout Russia drew all eyes to Petrunkevleh and made him celebrated. He became in day the idol of the lib- erals. Petrunkevich's permission to come to St. Peterburg at the head of the depu-
 tation had been procured with great difficulty and lasted only for few days.
 Immediately upon his return the gov ernment took special measures of re- pression against him and all the mem- bers of the Tver deputation. Neverthe- less Petrunkevich and his colleagues. like Rodecheff and De Robertti later achieved prominence. the celebrity of the latter two becoming quite equal to that of Petrunkevich
 It was not until 1904 when Prince Svia- topolk- -Mirsky became minister of the interior that Petrunkevich received per mission to come to St. Petersburg and his appearance there was coincident with the meeting of the first Zemstvo con- gress. November 1922. 1904 of which he was unanimously chosen president. It was this congress which adopted the famous programme of twenty-two arti- cles and which started the great move ment which finally compelled the Em- peror to yield to the popular demand for ernment of the country.
 A Central Figure.
 It was followed at short intervals after Bloody Sunday" by other congresses in the central figures and over the major ity of which he presided. At the largest Of these held in June 1905, the congress decided to send deputation directly to the Emperor and place before him the resolutions which the congress had adopt ed showing the reforms which in the opnioa of it's members wsrs necessary