The "Mir" is the fundamental, or basic, principle of Russian life. This village life allows some freedom in the ownership of land. The greater portion of the people of this great country, which probably will one day dominate civilization, is of Slav origin. This race, in times when Europe was barbaric, threatened all the southern end of it with their savage hordes. In later years, when robber chiefs arose to impress the Slavs in bondage, they moved away , or when enslaved, insisted still upon their "mir" life. At the time when most of Europe was emerging from the scourge of the feudal system, Russian nobles were only beginning to see the richness of the prize lying before them, of unpaid labor by the peasantry of their country. They at once seized upon it, and in the serfdom that followed, the system of autocracy was developed which imposed commands and edicts upon a simple race, which never knew self-made laws. Order was brought out of chaos by Peter the Great, who died in 1725, and the absolute monarchy which he established has remained, in its principal forms, up to the present day. Much of his work was effected through the power of the Greek orthodox church, which had been the established church of Russia for many years. Peter deposed the patriarch who ruled the church, and appointed a holy synod to do his bidding in church matters. He also confiscated the lands which the church had held. Through the church, the Czar thus wields an enormous power over the minds and souls of the people. It may readily seem that with the Czar dominating the synod, beliefs not in accord with his own would not be taught. A vast amount of ceremonial marks the church ritual, and through persecution, the common people are kept in spiritual subjection. Three other ministerial agents perform the will of the Czar among the people: a council of state, a senate, and a committee of ministers. There is with the three bodies no division of executive, legislative and judicial duties, as in most countries. All government centers in the executive. The three divisions noted simply are mediums for the performance of duties, with a few special functions to aid in more thoroughly carrying out the anti-democratic and autocratic ideas of the Czar. Thus there is no legislative branch of the government, but only a body which simply makes suggestions to the absolute executive, and sees that these suggestions are carried out under his will. Neither is there a judiciary department, for where there are no laws, there need be no department to interpret them. In other words, the Czar wills it, the Czar sees that his will is obeyed, and the Czar punishes infractions of his will. The committee of ministers is made up of the heads of twelve departments appointed by the Czar. They may not resign, for then, the Czar would not be implicitly obeyed. This body is simply to facilitate the direction of affairs through the departments of finance, war, foreign affairs, etc., and it is the duty of its members to explain the so-called laws and see that they are obeyed. About sixty men make up the council of state, of whom twelve are heads of the various bureaus. This council considers the annual budget or expense account. Reports of the departments are read to this body and discussed, and special commissioners appointed by the Czar look into the details of the recommendations of the ministers. Nihilism is fostered. In order to crush out these tendencies, the government invents worse tortures, and at no time is the Czar obeyed in the true spirit. Through the senate, the people seem to have some power in making laws. This body is composed of high dignitaries appointed by the Czar. Its members have in charge the execution of all commands of the Czar. In intent the senate is simply servile to the ruler, although the laws that it passes sometimes have the semblance of a declaration of the national will. Ministers and governors of provinces are called before this body to report upon their actions. The senate is the last court of resort in Russia's feeble judicial system, although the council of state sometimes reviews its findings. The Russian people are, therefore, governed under the rule of an imperious monarch. They are controlled through the following instrumentalities; the holy synod, in church matters, and in matters civil, through the twelve bureaus, the committee of ministers, the council of state and the senate. All sorts of work are done in all these bodies, the prime object of the government being to bring all rule into the sole person of the Czar. In the life. of the "mir," custom has gone to the other extreme. The home life is most democratic. Town meetings are called, and matters of import to the village life are discussed freely. Decisions upon such matters are arrived at in so democratic a manner that they must be unanimous to be effective. Entire freedom is expressed by the heads of the families. The "mir," or town, is all powerful in all matters that pertain directly to its domestic life. It is no branch of the rule of the Czar, and its officers are responsible to the people. If allowed to own land, and conduct their home life as they see fit, the people complain little of heavy burdens of taxation, and this is one thing in which the Czar desires obedience. The severest penalties are meted out to people who rebel at the commands of the Czar. Assassination is often resorted to to punish infractions of orders; flogging, exile in Siberia and many other dire methods are in vogue. Little wonder is it that with such examples before them, the people desire to rise up in rebellion. MARRIAGES IN RUSSIA |
