Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 July 1881 — A Touching Scene. [ARTICLE]

A Touching Scene.

Of the late Czar Nicholas, “A Russian Nihilist” tells in the North Ameri-' can Review a striking story. A young student, a relative of the writer, had; with a few friends, formed a literary society in which the works of a contemporary political economist, publicist and philosopher were read and debated. The secret police denounced this society as a revolutionary organization, and the young student was imprisoned and condemned to Siberia. All possible influence* was brought to bear upon the Czar, but in vain, and at last the young man’s mother, meeting the Czar one day in the Summer Garden knelt and implored her son’s pardon, asserting bis. innocence. The Czar seemed touched, and promised to give the youth a personal interview. The latter was brought, to his Majesty the next day, and the Czar forcing him on his knees before an image of the Saviour, exclaimed : “Can you swear before the Almighty God that neither you nor your associates had any criminal design against my ti/e? Gan you swear that you believe in the holfnes and eternity of the Russian autocracy?” The surprised prisoner answered: ""I can swear to your Majesty that p either I nor any of my friends had the remotest idea against your safety. As to the autocratic form of government, i can’t conscientiously swear that I believe in its eternity, The history of other countries teaches us that the time must come even In Russia, When the people itself will hike part In the governmentThef Czar tenderly embraced the studenV and giving a ring drawn from the imperial linger,said: “This is a token oftrespect from your Czar. Yott have been sincere and truthful to me, and Ibere is nothing T hate as much as a lift” He then apBroached the writing table lay ae student’s sent«pee ,, isf exile, and with one strdke of Jrrepetf—signed tne paper! “I pity ywrftom the bottom of my heart,” he said: "you are mb honest man, and. an honest man, true ffo his convictions,'ls more dangerous to autocracy than f(n unprincipled rascal. Therefore* I most punish you, though never was this duty more painful to me Than now. God bless you my son,-and ludgh me mercifully if I should appear Id be In the wrong.” Then, once more embracing the'student, he dismissed him to Siberia. ( j ~i