Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-03

aespohsm, and averse to improvement. The peo-
pie are refused all their demands. and the Mobiles
consider that their only security consists in their
maintaining the actual state of things in this
country. The Russian Government has hither.
, to been too happy to encourage such sentiments;
and whilst 1t has ground the people to powder,
And made even the Lithuanians revolt, it has
sought to maintain ITS influence by securing, at
all prices, the allegiance of the wealthy Lords.
But OF late years the system has somewhat chang
ed. The demands Of the Mobiles on the Govern
ment have been refused-additional imposts have
been levied-the sons Of the Nobility have been
taken away to war-and the Aristocracy of wealth,
which knew no bounds to its greatness, has felt
itself humbled and oppressed. The poorer No
bllity have encouraged this feeling They have
adverted to the former history of Lithuania, when
she was governed by her own Grand Dukes, and
when even more latterIy she assisted at the cleo
tons Of Polish Kings. This feeling of dissatis-
faction has gradually increased. Its existence
has been know at ST Petersburg; but those who
were clamourous were strangled or drowned
sent to Siberia-or enlisted in the service of the
military Colonics which is another word for slow
death!
The wealthy nobility have, at length, felt that
in process of time, they would become slaves
that the increasing demands of the Russian Go
verhment would end in their run-and they who
themselves tyrants, have begun to desire emaaci-
patton. The poor nobility, who have every thing
to gain, and nothing to lose by Revolution, have
worked upon the minds and passions Of the peas
ants and peOple-and have even put it to them
whether they would not assist in obtaining the IN
dependence of Lithuania Though dull, heavy, in
animate, the word :: Liberty" has chord which
had never before been touched, and those who
never dresmt of any thing better than supe-
rior vassaia,e now feel that they are men.
The revolution III Poland had arrived at the
right moment. The Polish Jews have aided the
Polish Revolution; and the Lithuanian Jews are
prepared assls; that commenced IN wilma. -
The successes of the Poles have inspired them
with hope, aud the news from Warsaw has raised
their courage. At length they have risen. The
wealthy mobiles demand free institutions--the right
Of governing the,nSelves-of having their own
Judges and their own laws--and even not being
taxed without their consent, The poor Nobility
demand equality of rights though not of proper
ty, and they head the peasants in fighting against
the Russian army. The people are scarcely
awake. Yet they fight bra,ely-slng the songs
Of Old Poland, and even have heard something
of French Revolution. Thrice has wilma been
attacked, and thrice have the invaders been re-
PEELED. wilma remains in the possession OF the
insurgents. The strong places in Lithuania have
been stormed. The Cossacks have even been
Obliged to fly TO the territory of Prussia; and
there, in violation of every principle of Justice
and non intervention they have been allowed to
re. arm themselves and return to the conflict. But
although they have returned, they will be again
defeated-for all Lithuania is in a state of insur-
rection.
When first this intelligence reached Berlin, 1t
was kept as great secret! When it reached
Paris, poor Pozzo di Borso laughed outright, aud
said They will be exterminated!" When
the news reached st. Petersbursh, the En-
peror, at first, treated it with contempt, as
Charles X. did the messenger who announced to
him that the people of Paris were III arms. But
the next courier winch arrived in the capital OF
Russia not only confirmed the news, but confirm
ell also its serious character; and the Emperor
Of All the Russias heard, on the same day,
Of twelve thousand Russians having been killed
and made prisoners by the Poles, and OF the
faithful province Of Lithuania being in revolt
The affair of the Poles was met BY an order to
send more troops; aud the affair of Lithuania by
an Imperial Ukase, to which now invite your
attention. 1t will demonstrate the advantages
of despotic Governments. and will show how
right NJ. Sebastiani was. when he called the
Emperor "Great Prince" The Devil would
be ashamed of such greatness, and would scorn
to be so basely mean.
The Imperial Ukase begins by admitting that
50 there is something rotten in the state of Rus
sia:'' but it ends by humanely decreeing that the
sins of the fathers shall be visited The children
and that death, conGscaton and Punishment shall
be the means of restoring order and happiness to
Lithuania. 1t states that the nobility OF Wilma
Grodno and Volhynia. are, generally speaking
devoted, grateful. and deserving OF imperial con,
fdence. But"-(anG this important word
..but, has of late been sad thorn in the side
of poor Nicholas. But me handle dngrats,
iadigaes de s'oppeier gen,Ishomnes::!D nave OF
late troubled the tranquility of the faithful LII
. thuanians in Telsch, Schawel, and Rosseny, IN
the province Of Wilma: much. of course, to the
disgust Of all good citizens, and certainly not
, less to ;.e disgust of the Emperor himself. How
amns,a. Is -si The Emperor called the Poles
"a hardir, t.'E7"cs." ana sent Zoo'ooo ine'
and 4,iC piece. IS canon to kill a spider! Blu
the handful of :, c,ls overthrow the army, ant
we have reason to nope that the independence o