from private ownership, is one of the chief points in their programme. On your side, above all, will be the whole hundred-million agricultural peasantry, which alone represents the real Russian people. Only do what you, occupying the place of Government, are bound to do, and, while there is yet time, make it your business to establish the real welfare of the people; and in place of the feeling of fear and anger which you now encounter, you will experience the joy of close union with the hundred-million Russian people; you will know the love and gratitude of this kindly folk, who will not remember your sins, but will love you for the good you do them, as they now love him, or those, who freed them from slavery.
Remember that you are not tsars, ministers, senators, and governors, but men; and having done this, in place of grief, despair and terror, you will find the joy of forgiveness and of love.
But that this may happen, you must not undertake this work superficially, as a means of safety, but sincerely, seriously, and with your soul's whole strength. Then you will see what eager, reasonable, and harmonious activity will be displayed in the best spheres of society, bringing the best men of all classes to the front, and depriving of all importance those who now disturb Russia. Do this, and all those terrible, brutal elements of revenge, anger, avarice, vanity, ambition, and above all of ignorance, will disappear, which now come to the front, infecting, agitating, and tormenting Russia—and of which you are guilty.
Yes, only two courses are now open to you, men of the Government: a fratricidal slaughter, and all the horrors of a revolution leading to your inevitable and disgraceful destruction; or the peaceful fulfilment of the ancient and just demands of the whole people, showing other Christian nations both that the injustice from which men have suffered so long and so cruelly can if be abolished, and how to abolish it.
Whether the form of social organisation under which you hold power has or has not outlived its day, so long as you still hold power, use it not to multiply the evil you have already done, and
