Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-08

~
open Violence aud the secret Geachsry which
panied the three disme mberments Of ancient Poland,
arc bu, too well hnowni history has already branded
them IS political crime The deep and awful mourn |
ing which this violation sprea d hrou the country
has been laid aside, but has been pre-
served until now; the uu.po,ted standard has
YER ceased to wave at the head oil valiant army and
10 all lie military mgra,ions the Poie carrying from
country country his household gods cried out for
veosesncs for the oulragss committed against Them
Cheiishing that noble llusien, which, like every other
grand idea, has tailed in the end be realized
he believed that whsnever he fought the cause OF
liberty, he was fighting Tor his own country. This
country at length rs.esiablished her existence and
although restrained within narrow limits, Po aud re-
csivsd from the Great Warrior of the age her native
language. her rights AMI neutrality-suspicious. gifts again
augmented by the greatest of hopes. FROM that
ment his cause became blood became his
right; and when his allies and Heaven itself abandon
cd him, the Poles, preserving their 6dely participa.
ed In the disasters oil the hero and the fall Of
the Great and unfortunate nation drew involun-
tsry tears from the conquvror himself
| This sentiment had produced too strong impress
son The Sovereigns Of Europe, in the midst OF the
combat, had promised with too much solemny to give
durable peace to the world TO admit that the Congress
OF Vienna upon their again dividing country among
them spoil SHOULD in egrse softe the
outrages committed against the Poles. A nationality
and reciprocal fire. sdom OF commerce was
10 every part OF ancient Poland; and that which tho
great European conflict had found ind Mt parcel
ed out three sides, received the title Of and
was placed under the immediate dominion of the EN-.
peror Alexander, wi separate charter and the pow
or OF being enlarged.
In execution Of those spula:ions, he granted free
constitution TO the kingdom and gave the Poles sub
lect to the dominion Of Russia CLEAN Of hope that
'ney might shortly be united TO their brethren These
gi's however, were not gratuous, he had previously
contracted obligations towards u.s. and we on our part
nad made sacrifices 10 return Before and duriag the
decisive struggle the brilliant promises made the
roies VINO were subjsct 10 the scepre of Alexander
and tho suspicious raised with respect TO the
o, Napoleon' prevented more than one Pole from de.
e'ng In MS favor. TIE Emperor of Russia was only
faithful to his promises In declaring himself Kiog of Po.
land but as to that nationality, those liberties which
mc 70 oseome inc guarantees OF the peace OF Europe,
we were forced to purchase them at the price of our
Independence, the first condition Of the political exist.
ence OF nations, az IL durable peace could be estab-
nsned upon the enslavement Of 10000 of people
as II the annals OF the world had taught us that
even alter an interval Of age nations reduced to for
e'gn subJecuon did not always that indepen-
dence which had been destined for them bv the Creator
from the beginning OF time, by having separated them
from other nations in language and customs-as this
lesson as forgotten by that people oppres.
sed ever become the natural allies of YER NAV han
pen to rise up against their oppressors.
Butthese conditions though arbitrarily pos ed were
not iulhed; the Poles were not long before they be-
came convinced that the nationality and the title of
kingdom, given to Poland by the Emperor of Russia
were bu, lure to their brethren subjects 10 other
S,ate'-bnt weapon against those came Ststes-and
out mere chimera to those 10 whom they had be en-
guaranteed. They became convinced that, under the
shelter OF these sacred Names il was intended to re-
duee them to a servile degradation, and weigh them
down by all the infections of continue ed de spoti.m
and the loss oil the dignity sppertaining to man. The
measures taken against the army, rst drew aside the
ven mat covered this mysterious plan. The most cru
outrages-the most infamous nts-the most
rrhned prosecutions ordered by the COMMANDMENT
Chief under the pretence of maintaining discipline bu,
ne real OBJECT Of which was to destroy the feeling OF
nonour' 'hat national dignity which lied
troops, were invented aud enforced Faults the most
'ring were deemed and lated as most serious often
ees-he sie hes suspicion converted into proofs OF
preach oil decPlins-and the Commander in Chief by
his arbitrary control the courts
10 laet the sole aroer OF the life and honor Of each 10.
he DEGREES OF these courts repeatedly quashe Until at
length their decisions attained the degree of severity
thar was required from them. Many me mbers, ia con-
sequence sent In their resiguaoD; many, personally
insured by the Commando Chief pur ed by their
own blood the ouirages that had been committed upon
men, and at the same time. Showed that ii the
want oil true courage, but the fear of compromising the
future late oil their country, that withheld their arms
rom falling in vengeance upon their oppressors.
| on ma meeting OF the FIRST Diet Of the kingdom,
renewal OF the solemn promises that the blessings of
constitution shonld be extended our bret ~ who
were 10 be re united to us, revived exiting hopes
ana caused The moderation to reign in the Chambers
which was their only end and object The freedom of
the press aud the publicity Of the of the
Diet were only tolerated in far they gave vent 10
the hymns and praises of subiuga,ed people 10 honour
OF their all powerful cOnqueror but when after
Diet was closed, the public journals continued TO dis
cuss public affairs, censorship W as introduc ed
and on the meeting Of the following Diet, which pro-
posed to itself the same tject the former the re
! resenta'ives OF the people prosecuted for The
| opinions they delivered In the Chambers The con-
stuuonai states oil Europe will be astonished when
they learn what has been carefully conc ealed from
| theIo,-when, the one hand, they behold the wise
and moderate the Poles have made Of their liberty
the vereration they have shown for their Sovereign
| his religion and customs uniformly treated with re.
pect and The other the bad faith with which power
has been used, not content with despoiing an unhappy
people of their rights, but imputng the horror Of these
violations to the unbrdied exercise Of their freedom
| The placing in union upon head the crowns of
an Autocrat and OF Constitutional King was one OF
those political monslrosities which are never of Ionp
| I'm At h., nod II
Poland must become either the nursery of liberal in.
despo,ism. This question soon resolved. II ap.
pears that at moment the Emperor Alexander
conceived he might consolidate his arbitrary power
with our liberal laws, and thereby secure for himself
new influence the affairs Of Europe But he was
soon convinced that liberty could never become go de
based as to be the blind instrument Of despoism and
from that tme iostesd OF her defender he became bs
prosecutor Russia lost all hope OF ever seeing the
yoke by which she oppressed taken off by the
hand OF her Sovereign, and Poland saw herself sue.
cessyely deprived OF all her privileges No time was
lost in carrying this design into execution. Public
education was corrupted, system OF ament and
mystery was adopted, the people we're left without
means OF INSTRUCT whole palatinate was deprived
OF it's representation, aud the Chambers no long err al
lowed the ficuy OF voting the supplies. New bur-
deps we're imposed moDopoles created to dry I'D
the soarces OF national wealth; and the treasury en-.
rchsd BY these measures, became the pasture Of saIa
and despcabie spies.-Instead Of the economy go re-
peatodiy called for, pensions were augmented in
most scandaious degree, to which were added enor.
nous grauies, and officers created solely with the
view OF augmeDling the number OF iha Government
sarsp:.