These rude republicans were governed by a burgomaster or mayor, but at the same time they always desired a prince, whom they selected from the large stock constantly on hand throughout the empire. The crown, however, was firmly held in check, and whenever the people tired of their nominal ruler they simply discharged him and selected a successor. In the meantime the city took little part in the wars which raged between rival factions, being too strong to make attack safe and caring little for the turbulent questions which disturbed the Russians of the far-away Dnieper.
The spirit of the place may be gathered from a tradition which has come down to us, to the effect that when upon one occasion a grand prince of Kief proposed to place his son over them they sent a formal message advising his father that they would receive him, but unless he had a spare head he had better keep the young man at home.
It is curious to note that the power of a prince once chosen rested practically upon the fortunes of the political party which had selected him. It thus happened that when the opposing party grew too strong he was dethroned. In this particular we observe a resemblance between the position of the prince and that of the prime minister of the modern constitutional monarchy such as Great Britain or Italy.
From the circumstance that no dynasty of princes could firmly establish itself at Novgorod and no royal line be built up as the head of a military aristocracy of titled landholders, it follows that the republic kept her ancient liberties and customs intact under the short reigns of her elected monarchs. The town was more powerful than the prince, who reigned by virtue of a constitution which was the creation of the citizens. Each new monarch was compelled to obey the laws and observe the provisions of this constitution, which was devised to limit the power of the princes and protect the rights of the people.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
