The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-11-14

NilLANol NOhAANAOh
Tolstoy's have been years OF ire
mendous consciousness. which have
given out OF his wonderful mind a
blessed flood of hope and inspiring
truth. Himself weighted down with
the chains OF a brutal and tyrannical
government he breathed q spirit OF
human freedom that influenced all
nations to a clearer conception OF the
lofty principle OF equality among men.
Loving his brother, high or low,
black or white, clean or unclean, as
mother loves her babe. he has Civ
en- his days and years in ceaseless,
untiring and ever courageous contest
against systems OF injustice, ignor-
ance. restraint. the enslavement or
the poor by the arrogant and power
full He has sacrificed much and suf-
fered extremely OF body and mind:
he would gladly a thousand times
have laid down his life TO save the
people Of his blood from oppression.
and the nation that he loved from the
shame and evil wrought by wicked
government.
Count Leo Tolstoy has acted in real
life a more tragic and heartburnine
story than has ever sprung from his
pen. II was while with the army in
the Caucasus that he flrst began TO
think and write. Born at Yasnaya
Poliana, Sept 10, 1928, 10 wealth and
high position, he was then still the
gayest OF the gay. Educated at KaZ-
an university. he served in the Grim
can war. 1886, and II was while in
this service he was suddenly trans
formed from an exquisite TO one who
forgot self and lived to serve
1t is said that his early marriage
saved him. for his devoted wife
steadied him in time OF need.
Returning from the war. Tolstoy ex-
banded his philanthroplc ideas and
began his teaching among the peas
ants on his own estate. He forgot
the art of moneymaking and his idea
seemed TO be TO reduce his habits 10
those OF the poorest OF bis country
men.
His idea OF teaching peasants as in
dividuals failed. and he seized his pen.
He always wrote as a Tealist. He
called things by their proper names.
He strove 20 give his reader the max
ed truth. His stories and essays were
vivid word descriptions that painted,
first the horrors OF war and then the
horrors OF false society and unjust
politics.
II was In 1857 that Tolstoy went
abroad. and what he saw I'm the cap
itals OF Europe amazed him. Return
ing, he started a pedagogical publica-
ton TO promote his teachings, and his
bitter condemnation OF the systems
Of society called down upon him the
fierce criticism OF all elements OF plu.
tocracy.
In 1875 Anna Karenina" was pub
lished as a serial. II was at once pro
nounced to be from the hands OF
genius, but the public took II as
story without particular significance
and this 80 enraged the author that
he abandoned fiction 10 write religious,
social and philosophical treatises.
The KreutZer Sonata was publish.
ed In 1888, and raised a storm OF crit
icism Subsequent 10 this Tolstoy re-
sumed fiction writing. dealing with re-
ligious and political subjects.
His wonderful novel. Resurrection"
is believed by many TO have represent
ed the story 81 his own early life
Tolstoy was 3s years OF age when he
married Sophie Andreyevna Behrs OF
Moscow. daughter OF an influential
Jewish family.
often threatened with exile for his
bold utterances against the govern
men. he had too strong a hold upon
the populace 20 make such move
practical He was greatly feared by
the present car. whose father also
had reason TO fear Tolstoy. Alexander
III. however. when pressed by some
OF his cOunselors TO call Tolstoy TO
account for his defiant conduct, Is al.
legged 20 have replied. AS long as
am car. Tolstoy will not be modest
ed"
The great heart OF Russlas FIRST cit.
izen was strained 20 the point OF
breaking during the disastrous war
with Japan. Time and again. fearless
" he counselsd the cEar against tho
policies advanced by his advisers.
Count Leo NiKolaivitch Tolstoy is
a descendant OF Count Peter Tolstoy,
the friaud ~ pafaN the nraaf