The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-09-23

all tins really exists, other than the law on th
subject which very seldom is brought int
operation, or when executed sometimes afte
two or three years, is curtailed or interprete'
differently by the governors Of the provinces
ln the beginning of ALExANDER's reign
the enlightened principles of Prince GALrT
zrN, Shacinetzoff and Rasoumuslxy trinmphet
over the powerful faction of the great land
holders; some good laws concerning the peas
antIy and public instruction were put in force
and contributed greatly to render the emperor
beloved by his subjects but since the dis
graceful Congress of Vienna, Alexander |
has adhered totally to the policy Of the AVS
TRAN cabinet, contrary to his own advantage
The chief policy a Russian Emperor shoulc
be, TO increase population throughout his do
unions, In order TO oppose them'to the over
*helming power of the nobility, and this car
only be effected by spreading liberal ideas and
instruction among the lower classes but tbs
insinuations of Metternich have induced the
Emperor to stop entirely the progress of light
IN his empire; and the preponderance of the
nobility continually interferes with laws inten-
ded by the sovereign TO extricate the peasant
ry from siavery-the whole population now
more than before the French war, lingering
still in thraldom.
= Count Capo d'Istrals and other men of lib
eral principles, have been obliged to relin-
quish their Office, the faction of the great
landholders having once more triumphed at
the Russian court; and Alexander has be-
come, from the friend of mankind, the great
est enemy of all the nations of Europe not
by his own tyrannical temper, but frsEn a
want of firmness to resist the intrigues of the
aristocrats.
Notwithstanding, the rays of light are TO-
troduced into Russia by way least suspected
by the oppresscr, and his own instruments of
tyranny turn against him. The soldiers re-
turning from Germany and France have
leisure enough to compare their wretched Sit
uations with those of other nations. Both
officers and soldiers make rapid progress in
their notions of public liberty, and commun-
cate what they have seen TO their friends and
relations at home.-Twice already has the
Russian despot seen the effect of his slaves
becoming aware of the rights of man.
10 the year 1921, the second regiment Of
guards Somenaskey, refused to comply with
the order of their colonel, Schwaris, to exer-
else on a Sunday.-Prince Nicolai (brother OF
the Emperor) himself could not persuade the
soldiers 10 obey-surrounded by three regi-
ments, they gave up their arms without ress-
lance on promise Of full pardon Of their
mutiny on their delivering up the ringleaders
to punishment.-"W We are equally culpable,'
was the answer made by the old warriors
Ibe whole regiment was sent to the forts OF
the Batnic, there to perish by want and bad
arr.
In 1922 the army, coming back from the
Turkish frontiers was quartered near the city
of WiIna-~the grand duke Nicolai, command
ing the division Of the guards, offended ma
Jor belonging 10 this body-the officer demand
ed his discharge, but the Emperor to whom il
was reported, ordered him to enter 10 the same
rank in regiment of the line, contrary t.
law, an officer of the guards getting into the
line always advancing one degree. Ali hi,
comrades resented promptly this atfront anc
asked to be discharged; but were, fifty il
number, forced TO act in the line; with whar
attachment to the sovereign is easily imag
ined.
There is not the least enthusiasm in Russia
for the cause Of the Greeks. The nobleman
without any religious principles at all, thinks
only how to waste his fortune, or to conspirt
against his sovereign, for fear of his encroach
ling on the feudal privileges. The peasant
himself a slave, as SUCH is void of all liberia
Feeling towards his fellow creatures, and i,
moreover, taught to hate the Patriarch of Con
stantinople and bis followers, as heartily a
the christian sects the citizens are as vet no
numerous enough to influence any matter o.
consequence.
Conspiracies against the present Emperor
life happen frequently. In 1913, when Alex
ander came back from Vienna, he was save,
from an instantaneous death by his brothe
Constantine, who came in time to call in tn
assistance of the guards against the murderer
all noblemen of the first rank, discontente
with the emperor. From this period tn
credit of Constantine with his brother ha
greatly increased, and the unfortunate Pa
lacks were utterly unprotected against tn
cruelty of this bar barian.
The most shocking instances of his insan
fury have occurred during the latter year.
He habitually strikes both officers and soldier
lofthe Polish army, and deprives them Of thei
rank whenever they incur his dispeasure
He exercises the same arbitrary power owe
all the inhabitants of Warsaw; seduces th
daughters Of the most eminent citizens, and
lnow about to transfer the scene of iniquitie
to more remote part Of the country; the il
habitants of the present capitol having still to
liberal feeling TO bear such atrocities witt
cut murmHring.
Throughout the empire the most fright,
system of espionage is carried ou-neithe
the cottage nor the palace is free from i
Noblemen of the first rank are not ashame
to bear the honorable employment of SPY
4 A secret police is established at St. Petersbur
whose branches are throughout the country
Men of the highest distinction are denounC
ed daily to this internal tribunal, and conden
ned without ever being heard in their ID
fence. The slightest remarks on any act {
government are punished with perpetual bar
ishmeut from both capitals; on strong suspicion
to the wilderness Of Siberia to receive thos
who are obnoxious to government-The n,
merous fortresses of the empire, also cautio
the miserable victims of tyranny even tn
: fortress of St. Petersburg is not excepted
and Alexander |. looks from sumptuous spar
ments of his palace on the gloomy mansions