The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-12
SATURDAY, MAY ra, 1908.
WHAT or RussIAs

The inauguration and opening of the Russian Parliament on Thursday was In Itself an important event, but far more important results may follow. The fact that in Russia. for so many centuries the most absolute and des- potic monarchy on earth. there is now tn session a parliamentary body elcc- ted by the people and bearing much resemblance to legislative assemblies in Republican nations, is of itself 6 strange event, and the outcome may bs momentous.
 The accounts Of the opening very plainly express one thing, and that is that the representatives of the people are suspicious They have had so many promises from their rulers. so many pledges looking to the better ment of their condition. that no one can be surprised if they refuse 10 put full faith in the Czars address. That address. according to the reports, wss unusually mild and concliiatory, but 1t will require something more than words to convince the Russian people that freedom Is coming to them.
 The reports of the opening inform Us that the members were omInously silent" While courtiers and specta- tors were cheering and applaudlng the speech from tho throne the represen- tatlves of the people were grImiy un- demonstrative, expressing neither dis appreciation nor acquieseence in tho Czars words. And who can blame them7 It ls not the first time recently that promises have been made them, and the manner in which those pledges have been violated or disregardcd Is s enough to breed distrust among pco- plo who have suffered as the Russians have. They must have something more than words. even though the words fall from the lips Of the Emperor him- self.
 There are two grave causes of ap- prehension in connection with this event. both of them possible. one Is that tho Czar Is not sincere m his ap- parent efforts at conciiiation, and that he may try to lull the people into Il condition of fancied security and then return 10 his autocratic methods when he thinks himself secure in his power The other Is that the people and their representatives may be so carried away by their newly found comparative free dom that they will be unreasonable. take up the Idea that liberty means license. and. throwing or all restraint. will plunge the country into such can era of bloodshcd and revolution as the world has rarely witnessed.
 ~ Both of these events are 10 be dread cd and both are possible Yot it may be that both dangers will he avoided. The Czar may recognize the fact that the old order has passed forever and may honestly and sincerely join in giving the Russian people a fair de- gree of constitutional liberty; and the representatives of the people may real- ike the great responsibility resting on them and conduct themselves . with moderation and patriotic desire for the best interests of both nation and peo- pie, realizing that the magnitude of the task before them requires patience and time for its fuhllment If the nobility. dominated by Nicholas, and the people. representated hy their as- sembly, will honestly work in harmo- nv and sincerity the next decade may see a quiet. contented and constitution ally governed nation where now Is so much unrest and apprehension