Page:The Russian Review Volume 1.djvu/20

8 have no legal standing and are naturally deprived of many legitimate ways of carrying on their political activities.

There are no professional politicians in Russia. Politics is considered a sacred and highly responsible social service, which usually requires willingness to make great personal sacrifices. It is probably this peculiarity of Russian political life that has added so much to the personal integrity of the Russian politician. The short parliamentary history of Russia is already replete with names of which any European or American Parliament would be proud. Such names as those of Nabokov, Petrunkevitch, Prince Dolgorukov, Rodichev, the late Professor Muromtzev and the late Count Geiden, will not soon be forgotten. We choose these advisedly among the many Russian leaders, for they are all Russian noblemen who have deserted the caste of the gentry for the lofty ideas of democracy.

In the bitter political struggle of 1905-6, the sacrifices made by this class were scarcely appreciated by the radical elements. The latter waged war not only upon the old regime but also on the "faintly liberal" classes which refused to go to the limits of revolutionary activity. However, to-day we hear from such revolutionary leaders as G. V. Plechanov, that this treatment of the liberals was a fundamental tactical blunder, as it led the middle classes to turn their backs upon the reform movement.

There is only one logical outcome of the present political uncertainty in Russia. Constitutional guaranties will be firmly established, and this will gradually lead to a democratization of Russia's social and political system.

Such a settlement of Russia's internal problem would, undoubtedly, serve as a great impulse toward the economic and industrial development of the country, whose limitless natural gifts are patiently awaiting industrial capital and well-organized labor.

With her vast possibilities, Russia may, after all, fulfil the expectations of the early Slavophiles, whose bold motto was:

"From the East shall come the Light."