The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1906-05-31

the Japanese war with a firm demand
for a national assembly, something Sc
radically opposed to all the traditions
Of the ruling powers Ia Russia that ii
struck the world as an upheaval, the
event was hailed as the dawn Of an
other French revolution Repression
and terror, armed protest and an orgy
of blood were expected. There have
been disorders, but in less than two
years the douma came into being as
| the result of an orderly election, ap-
proved by the government The fact
is that the seeds of the revolution
which bore fruit in the douma were
planted half a century ago, and we
witness a transformation rather than
a revolution.
Nine days after the assassination of
Gar Alexander H., in March, 1881, the
revolutionary executive committee of
Russia addressed to the successor of
the murdered ruler, Alexander III, a
brief document setting forth their de
mands It gave due notice that the
spirit of freedom was not to rest salts
fed with mere vengeance. With a few
changes in wording it might answer
for the declaration Of 1905. The es-
sential demands were as follows:
First.-A general amnesty to cover past
political crimes, for the reason that they
were not crimes, but fulfllments Of civil
duty.
Second.-The summoning of representa-
tives Of the whole Russian people to ex-
anime the existing framework of social
and governmental life and to remodel it
in accordance with the peoples wishes
We regard it as necessary, however, to
remind you that the legalization of the
supreme power by the representatives OF
the people can be valid only in case the
elections are perfectly free. For this
reason such elections must be held under
the following conditions:
First-Delegates from all classes, pro-
portionate to the number of inhabitants.
Second.-No limitations for voters or
delegates.
Third-The canvass and the elections to
be absolutely unrestricted and therefore
the government, pending the organization
Of the national assembly, shall authorize
in the form Of temporary measures COM
plete freedom of the press, complete free
dom Of speech, complete freedom Of public
meeting, complete freedom of election
programme.
This is the only way In which Russia
can return to the path of normal and
peaceful development.
We declare solemnly before the people
of our native land and before the whole
world that our party will submit uncon-
ditionally to the decisions of the national
assembly elected in the manner above in
dicated and that we will not allow our
selves in future to offer violent resistance
to any government that the national as
sembly may sanction.
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Not the more violent Of the reform
crowd in Russia were represented in
this curt notice to the new car. There
were at the time three elements Of So
ciety stirring up things-the liberals,
the revolutionists and the terrorists, or
nihilists. The revolutionists included
the class known as socialists, the dis
contented peasants and all other ele-
ments in society who wished to get rid
of the autocracy. Their full programme
is not outlined in the letter quoted
from, for they insisted on a national
assembly only as the basis Of all re-
form, not the end of reform. The as
sembly was to organize a new nation,
giving the people local self govern
ment, ownership of the land, the four
liberties, universal suffrage and terri4
torial militia to replace the standing
army.
The terrorists were merely advanced
revolutionists and numbered but a
handful. Repressive measures under
Alexander Ill. put a stop to open work
Of reform and drove. the propaganda
into hiding. But the work of agitation
never ceased from that day to this
The executive committee told the car
that they would spread their doctrines
over all Russia, invading his court and
the army. The word has been kept.
Russia has been living a revolution Of
the mind for twenty-five years.
Between the principles Of the lib
erals and the moderate revolution
lists the gulf was not wide. The for
mer asked for greater freedom Of
speech, gradual extension Of self gov
eminent and restricted bureaucracy.
They deprecated religious persecution,
believed in educating and uplifting the
peasantry, stood out for the due
process of law" and regarded a COM
plete overthrow Of the existing govern
ment both impracticable and unde-
sirable. Fifteen years ago an Eng
lish resident declared Of the liberal
element in Russia that in patriotism,
wisdom and noble example they were
the peers # the ruling classes in any
country on the globe. Some Of them,
too, almost stepped from the dungeon
to the douma, bringing revolution with
them, not creating it from the heat of
the hOI1r