THE CZAR GRANTS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
THE czar has made another concession to his people—this time a great concession. But for the fact that Russia is still so far behind the western world in matters of government the concessions granted by the present czar would seem even more important than they do. At the birth of his son he released the indebtedness incurred by the former serfs when, upon their emancipation, they were permitted to purchase the land upon which they had lived. This was a great boon to the peasants. Later, the czar announced his intention to create an elective assembly, which, while it would not participate in the enactment of law, would be permitted to discuss proposed laws or decrees. While this comes far short of constitutional liberty, it was really a great step in advance, because public opinion is almost as effective as law, when that public opinion can find expression through recognized channels. It has another advantage in that it permits the development of leaders of popular thought. At present there is no way in which a person can become a popular leader—no way in which public confidence can be centered in some able spokesman. This has been one of the weaknesses of all reform movements in Russia. The representative body to be established gives a chance for the development of leadership and for the establishment of prestige with the people, and it will inevitably lead to a legislative body empowered to participate in the making of the laws. The last concession granted—that of religious liberty—is the greatest of all. Nothing is more paralyzing to a nation’s development than laws or decrees which forbid the following of one’s conscience. When Jefferson looked back over his life, he placed next to the Declaration of Independence the statute which he framed providing for religious freedom in the state of Virginia. With a conscience free to work, and to express itself, a new era opens before Russia. While, of course, it is impossible to know whether this concession is due to the war or could have been secured without the war, still it will probably be regarded as a result of the embarrassment brought by the war, and will go far toward making the people forget the hardships which have been imposed upon them by the sanguinary conflict between Russia and Japan. Japan has religious freedom as well as a legislature, and these things probably account, in part at least, for the enthusiasm with which the Japanese have supported their government. The restriction placed by the Russian Government upon liberty of conscience, of thought, and of tongue, has contributed largely toward the uprisings which have embarrassed the czar. The people of America will heartily congratulate the Russians upon the concessions which they have won during the last two years, and will hope for still further concessions until the people of Russia at last enjoy freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences, freedom to think as they please, freedom to express their opinions by tongue or pen, and full participation in the government under which they live.—The Commoner.