The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-05-17
Voice of the People.

LAltOui Tue uuWu-tTOuueu people VI hus-
ala. after years OF servitude aud oppres-
sion, are TO have voice 10 the govern
ment. Forming spectacle such perhaps
as has never before been witnessed upon
earth's stage, the Russian Parliament was
inaugurated on Thursday.
Like all great state functions in holy
Russia, the ceremonies began with reli-
gious services at 10 O'clock in the
morning. The whole city reverbe-
rated with bells and chimes from ST.
Petersburg's myriad OF cathedrals,
churches and temples, summoning the
people to thanksgiving While the bells
were still ringing the imperial yacht
Alexandra with the imperial standard
at the fore moved mhjsstically up the
river and took on board the immediate
royal family. The train OF the Dowager
Empress was white and heavily edged
with dark fur as a token of her widow
hood. That of the Empress was EN-
broidered with gold. The young En-
Empress pearls. A grand procession
followed to the winter palace. The
population of the capital, for once srous-
ed from the apathy in which they have
lain for the long, dreary months of the
war and the drearier days Of revolution
and repression which followed, observed
semiholiday. All eyes ware turned on
the Emperor who bore himself proudly
erect, joining in the Te Deum by cross
ing himself and making frequent re-
spOnses.
At the close OF the Tie Deum the clergy
retired, ch tntng, towards the palace
chapel and the Expresses moved up the
hall aud assembled the dais on the right
Of the thr me while the grand dukes
moved forward and occupied the three
lower steps on the same side. The Me-
tropolitan, the Emperor's private chap
lain, the members of the Holy Synod
the master OF the imperial household and
the special aide de camp took their
places at the foot of the throne to the
left, the Emperor himself remaining
alone, in the centre of the hall during
the Transformation.
Then the Emperor slowly assembled
the throne and proceeded to give his adj
dress. He spoke with a firm, steady
voice which WAS heard distinctly In
every corner of the hall, emphasizing,
del'b rstely every word. Such a hush
fell on the assembly during the reading
that the snap of a camera shutter WAS
sharply audible. The Emperor said;
"The supreme Providence which gave
ne the care OF our fatherland, moved me
to Call to my assistance Ia legislative
work elected representatives of a bril-
liant future for Russia, ] greet in your
persons the best men from the empire
whom | ordered my beloved subj cts tt
choose from amongst themselves.
A difficult work lies before you. !
trust that love for your fatherland and
your earnest desire to serve it will iD-
spire aud unite you.
| shall keep nvioate the institutions
which have granted with the firm as
surance that you will devote all your
strength to the service OF your country
and especially to the needs OF the peas
antry which are 80 close to my heart,
and to the education OF the people, their
economical welfare, remembering That TO
the dignity and prosperity OF the state
not only freedom but order founded up
on justice are necessary.
l desire from my heart to see my
aha a
honor an empire secure, well organic d
and enlightened
Nay God bless the work that lies be
fore me In unity with the council of the
empire aud the imperial douma. Nay
this dav be the day of the moral revival
Of Russia and the day for the renewal OF
its highest forces.
Approach with solemity the labors for
which | call you and be worthy of the
responsibilities put upon you by the
Emperor and people.
Msy God assist US"
The reading of the speech from the
throne was not broken by the slightest
attempt at applause but the minute the
Emperor bad finished, bowed to the
members OF Parliament and placed his
foot on the step of the dais to descend
long cheer broke forth which almost
drowned the strains OF the national an
them, "God Save the Emperor" which
the orchestra 10 the balcony played
while the procession departed. The en-
thusasm, however, was principally con-
Ii ned to the courtiers and officers. Many
of the members OF Parliament were SUI
len and silent. Professor MouromtsC #
was elected President OF the lower
branch, and Immediately took the chair.
Ivan Petrunkevitch then assembled the
tribune and aroused the house to frenzy
of enthusiasm by declaring 10 brief
speech that the first words to be pro-
nounced in an assembly of representa-
tives OF the Russian people should be
freedom and a demand for the amnesty
of those who had fought for the cause.
There we're some cries for the immediate
passage OF resolution on the subject,
but President Mouromtseff called the
assembly to order to listen to his speech
of acceptance. He WAS very brief,
simply calling attention to the great task
before the members and the necessity of
earnestly laboring for the welfare OF he
country. He also emphasized the neces-
sity OF the Parliament respecting the
prerogatiVes OF the constitutional mon