Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1877 — The Czar’s Proclamation to the Bulgarians. [ARTICLE]

The Czar’s Proclamation to the Bulgarians.

“ My troops have crossed the Danube. They enter your territory, lvhere they have already several times fought for the amelioration of the lot of the Christian inhabitants of Turkey. Russia still bears the same love and solicitude toward all Christians in Turkey as when she secured the liberation of Bervia and Roumania. I have confided to my army the mission of securing the sacred rights of your nationality, which you have acquired hy centuries of suffering and the blood pf martyrs which has soaked your soil. Russia's mission is to build up, not to destroy. Hite is called by the decree of Providence to conciliate ahd pacify all races and denominations in those parts of Bulgaria inhabited by a mixed population. Henceforth Russian arms will protect every Christian against all violence. Not vengeance, but strict equity, will guide our acts.” The proclamation promises also equal protection to the Mussulmans, but impartial justice upon known participators in atrocities. It urges the abandonment or intestine dissensions, and announces that as fast as the Russians advance Turkish rule will be replaced by regular organizations, in which the native inhabitants will be summoned to take part, under the supreme direction of special authorities, and Bulgarian legions will be formed to serve as a nucleus of the local armed forces destined to maintain order and security. The proclamation concludes: ‘ ‘ Follow faithfully the instructions of the Russian authorities. Therein lies your strength and security. With humility, I pray the Lord to grant us victory over the enemies of Christianity, and to send down His blessing upon our s just cause.”