The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-21
From the New York Sun.

Utyb most memorable dramas In the
T. history of mankind, q drama in
which more than hundred millions of
human beings are vitality concerned, is
now being enacted in St Petersburg? Do
they imagine that the rise and fall of Sc
curities on the Stock exchange, or even
the wording of law empowering COM
mission appointed by the President of the
United States to fix rates for railways,
are matters worthy of any atteption COM
pared with the spectacle of a great nation
bursting the bonds that have fettered 1t
for centuries?
The Greek anthropologists defined man
as the animal that looks upward. In
the long process of evolution many ages
seem to have been needed for him to
deserve that definition. Even now a
narrow horizon limits his upward and
his outward gaze. Apparently we re-
quire q far-stretching perspective In or
der to appreciate the Significance OF
events. More than one generation came
and went before well-informed and high
~ intelligent Romans knew anything
about the life and mission of Jesus of
Nazareth. Years passed before anyone in
Europe. even In Spain. SO much as
guessed the meaning of what had been
done by Columbus in 1892. The great dis
coverer himself died in ignorance of the
true purpose of his achievement. How few
men at the court of James I. or in the
English Parliament took any note of the
fortunes of the few needy Adventures
who had planted themselves at James,
town in 1907.
Contemporary correspondence shows
that for weeks after the French states
general met at Versailles on May 10. 1889.
nobody on either side of the Atlantic felt
the slightest premonition of a convul-
sion by which all Europe was to be shak-
en-. The files Of London newspapers for
the year and the month named may be
searched In vain for proof of any fore
boding of the epoch-makng events i'm
pending on the southern shore of the
British channel. 1t took the execution
OF the once lovely Marie Antoinette to
shock Burke out of his Indifference. Rel
atively wide awake as newspaper readers
are today, and possessed of means of ac-
quring instantaneous information that
would have seemed miraculous a century
ago, we observe but few indications of
the absorbing and breathless interest
wherewith ought to be watched the pro-
ceedings of an assembly in which for the
first time In history great people be-
comes articulate.
1t is no farce, but probably a world
thrilling tragedy, of which the opening
scenes are now being witnessed in st.
Petersburg. A childs touch can start an
avalanche. and the weak-minded Car has
brought into activity an engine that is
likely to wreck his throne. We repeat
that the Russian people have at last found
their voice. and it is already patent
that they mean to speak their mind, and
expect their words to be needed.
The address responsive to the speech
from the throne. the substance of which
we printed on Wednesday. Is docu-
ment of extraordinary dignity and self
restraint fraught with solemn warning,
with a consciousness of irresistible pow
er and with a sense of measureless re-
sponsibility. Evidently there are thinkers,
writer's and speakers in that Russian as
sembly who are the peers of any that
COPIED with Mirabeaus in debate and as
well qualified to shape by legislation
| nations destiny.
| What can prevent. it may be asked, the
startled and shivering reactionists from
summarily dissolvIng the Douma and MAX
| ing a desperate attempt to restore the
| autocracy In its most rigid and oppres-
sive form. We answer that Nicholas III.
is held back from performing such an act
| by precisely the same force which pre-
vented Louis XVI from dissolving the
States General. The imminent peril of
bankruptcy. which compelled the convo-
cation of the Douma, Is a guarantee OF its
survival. The loan recently secured will
GO but little way toward meeting Rus
sia's pressing requir ements. and nobody
knows better than the Gear that not
franc of that loan could have been
borrowed in Paris but for his promise
to secure for that and preceding oblga
lions the sanction of a national se.ssssmbiy.
In view of the fact thsf the absolute
necessity of securing 4 sanction Of past,
present and futuree, ,,oans is the basic rea-
son for the D,99eaima's existence. it Is futile
20 Try 10 ssithhold from such body
| u 70 nnr,slf by so-called fundamental la"
| me .fHsacisive power of the purse.
Some generations hence historians VII