In other words, it must be a nation--and not a dynasty nourished by misery and supported by military force.
Men high in rank no longer flaunted their titles and insignia of office.

They shrank from drawing attention to their share of responsibility in the great calamity, and listened almost humbly to the suggestions of liberal leaders, suggestions which, a few months ago, none dared whisper except behind closed doors.

A new literature sprang into life, unrebuked, dealing with questions of state policy with a fearless freedom never before dreamed of.

Conservative Russia had suddenly vanished under a universal conviction that the hope of their nation was in Liberalism.
The Emperor recalled from Siberia the exiles of the conspiracy of 1825, and also the Polish exiles of 1831.

There was an honest effort made to reform the wretched judicial system and to adopt the methods which Western experience had found were the best.