Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-26


newspapers which think eXtravagantly overrated,
the military power OF Russia She is confidently
talked uf as the proponderatng power of Europe:
the that holds the balance of destiny i'll her
hands, aud lower elevate nations at her nod.
Tins opinion is no doubt founded the great geo
graphical extent of her territory, and the
narlcal amount of her population; but upon enquiry,
it Will be found that neither of these advantages
constitutes military power, although they unqueston-
ably form part of the elements of which military
power is composed.
At present Russia labours under four great disad-
VantaTcs, and three of these must be overcome, be-
'ore she be great military power. Yhe first is,
tie great geographical extent other thiny inhabited
territory, which renders the operation of collecting
her armies both tedious and expensive; the second is,
the want oi money to equip and support her armies,
When tiey are collected; thirdly, the want Of talent,
both IN the cabinet aud i'll the field, to organize her
armies, set them III motion, and guide them to vcto-
tory aud ourhy, tho want of freedom for so long
four it(lis of her population Serfs, slaves,
bought and sold with the soil which they are born,
1t sImroSSble that her armies can possess that
energy which renders armies terrible III the hour of
battle
lii former tines when war was a rude art, and SOL
dershp consisted in brutal erocity, barbarous hordes
o"crran or sublugated civilized nations But the tr-
umphs of barbarism have long since passed away
and war has now become science, in which the
most scientific nations alone excel. Constructive
Russia has wealth TO acquire, science to learn and
freedom to achieve before she Cur uycrruu or die
tate to u q rest of Europe.
1t is true, the great geographical extent of the
Russian empire may serve her us buiwark against
successful invasion; for II the invading army are few
thcy VIII be defeated, and if they numerous, they
VIII be starved. From this circumstance, combined
with others, Russia acquired military rcnown, by de-
tcating the hali-starved, half frozen veterans of
France. Bat ltessa had other auXiiaries besides
famine ana frost for during the whole of that mem
oraGc contest, her troops were, III great measure
paid clothed ana armed, at the expense of l. 1cland.
Million after million OF British gold was sent in sub
sidlcs to Russia, and her armies were accompanied
7 rr,llf 4.
tngushed British officers, who assisted in rcguL. mo
the military manu,uyrcs,
But it does not constitute a nation to be a great
military power, because size can ultimately rcpulse
her aSslIlants-ln other words, defend herself from
being conquered Before nation can possess in
deble claims to the appcllaton of great military
peWer. she must BE- able TO protect her weak, and
oyeraWe her in5oent neighbours and Russia, at pre-
sent, does not possess the power Of doing SO. She
il nearly ignorant of the arts, we'll the sciences
50 that 1t may fairly De doubted whether or not she
possesses Il sulfciency Of skill to manufacture mus
Aes Tor the Use OF her own forces and she depends
on the tarfon Iron Foundry, in Scotland, for her
cannon, shot, aud shells Her comnlssariat is like
wise m very Imperfect state ard her medical staff
IS not in The best condition.
Yet, with a. these visible disadvantages again sier
kussia confidently talked OF the dangerous rival
o. France, or England-as the growing power that |
Is likely to humble British pride. 1t certainly is not
easy 10 calculate the chances Of future events, par
ticulaiiy tie chances of war; and war bceen Rnssia
ana England sngie-handcd, is an untriCd experiments
ont he 1t tried when will, will venture predict il
viii tErn out u humiliatin2 one for Russia. We
nave already seen her leagued with Bonanarte in a
war against England, and her 20 Wer was unayany.
so light did sheseem, that England scarcely felt her
weight IN the opposite scale. 1t is equally true that
England cannot, and probably never will attempt to
conquer Russia; but Englald blockade her ports
destroy her navy, and her trade, erect Poland int an
independent Kingdom proclaim freedom to the Rus
sian Serts and arm them against their tyrans while
England does not present single vulnerable point
which Russia can attack, with hopes Of ultimate
success.
it has been said that Russia may attack the British
possessions in India; but when recollect that the
British almost adorod by one hundred and twenty
millions OF llindoos, equally scientific as the Rus
lans, and much more wealthy, should think il pro-
babe that Russia would pause before she commences
that attack. Besides, the British East India Company
maintain standing army OF five hundred thousand
ilindoos, equipped and disciplined the very best
european manner, and commanded by British officers
OF the first science; that any invasion of India by
Russia, in her present state, would be hopeless.
Politicians may talk as they VIII, and make what
assertions they please, III support OF their tavourte
theories, bat they will convince any reasonable
man, acquainted with the science of war, that the
'u5Slan army composed as it is, of slaves and Cos
s&cAs, can be imposing. Her last years campaign
~ the Danube, is another proof that the foundation
-. Her military reuOwn, like that Of tie world hanrs
aPoA nothing; aud 1t is than probable that she
III be worsted IN the present contest with Turkey
o., all events, France or England thrown into the
scale against her. would at DESTROY the balance
II may be amusing speculation to array Russia and
England ono against the other-but Russia knows
better. She viii not go to with England She
did not dare to form her blockade Of the ITees
pont, without the permission of England; and the
moment that England SAYS, she plIst stop her opera
;OIs against the Tursl, she will do so for so long
IS England possesses twenty times tho science,
Ncnty times the wealth, and fifty times the free
dom and energy Of Russia, wherever the two nations
LAY contend neutral ground the Russian Bear will
30 nothing in the paws of the English Lion Russia
IS but the fourth military power i'll Europe England,
france ald Austria before her. and she is !
Only the fourth naval power il the world; England !
i'tancr and America are greater.
AN OBSERVER. .
new lo@N, May i2-Anoticr Of the heroic RACE