THE CZAR | AdventAI

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · March 11, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 11

THE CZAR.

On the 2d of March, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Czar’s accession to the throne of Russia was celebrated in St. Petersburg and in other towns throughout the empire. Notwithstanding the threats of Nihilists, there was no disturbance. St. Petersburg was gaily decorated, and the day was generally observed as a holiday. Vast crowds assembled to do honor to their sovereign, and the occasion was observed with much pomp and enthusiasm. In the interior of the empire the festivities and rejoicing were general, and in some of the large towns the fetes were on a grand scale. A congratulatory letter from Emperor William, countersigned by Prince Bismarck, was published and creates a very favorable impression in all the European capitals. The terms of the letter are those of warm friendship; the Emperor expresses his gratification that the friendship which united their fathers has been maintained, and his hope that it may continue. Pardons were granted to prisoners, arrears of taxes owing by the rural population were remitted, and orders of distinction were awarded; but the desire of the people for a constitutional government was not granted.

At the present time, when Russia and Russia’s ruler are prominently before the people, the following paragraphs from the Christian Weekly of March 6 will be of interest:—

“The present Czar was the oldest son of Nicholas I., and will be 62 years of age if he lives till April 29. In early youth he showed a fondness for books and the society of men of culture, rather than for military tastes, so that when he came to the throne, at the age of 37, he found that his enlightened and liberal plans were opposed to the prejudices and passions of the old Russian party. He, however, has been able to carry them out to a great extent, and the fact that he was successful in securing the abolition of serfdom throughout his empire within six years after his coronation, is an imperishable memorial of the power of his influence and the humanity of his disposition.”

“He has also in other important directions improved the administration of affairs, so that the moral and material advancement of Russia over its position in his father’s reign, is said to be as great as has been that of England, during Queen Victoria’s reign, over that of George III. Russia is now open to the circulation of the Bible, restrictions on the press have been removed, education has been encouraged, every soldier of the army being now required to read, great reforms in the administration of justice have been introduced, and the education and morals of the priests have been greatly improved. It has been hoped that the Emperor would signalize the coming anniversary of his accession by proclaiming entire civil and religious liberty throughout his dominions; but the unfortunate, if not criminal, domestic complications that have estranged him from the influence of his excellent wife, it is feared will retard the progress of the reforms to which he had so heartily committed himself.”