The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-10-30
internal IMPROVEMENTS IN
DITCcTA

Ehe sagaeity of the Russian emperor has
been quick TO appreciate the importance OF the
Railroad system in connection WIN the vast
military designs long entertained by MN. me
natural formation Of the cRHn}Ty'. aponnaing
with immense plains, renders the Introduction
SfrailwaVs comparatively easy. Stephens, the
traveller, gives a graphic description oil the IN
tarinr al the great amnlra and Of tn" "iVii "'-
pect of the country over which he was posted
at rapid rate, travelling night and day. on MS 5
Journey from Moscow to st, FeteEs6uFgh, ana
from the latter city to Warsaw. Wheh' WIN
these natural facilities, are considered the pow
erful energies which Nicholas can bring into
action. the number of laboring seris that may
be nut at work, and the amount OF money at
his command. the world may expect to see a
gigantic system start into being with sud
2e1ness unparalleled even in this land oil ra
pid enterprise. .; 49,,
ployed in examining the rail roads, engines and
machinery of the United States, England ahp
France. General Tphefkine, Ghiet oil the en-
gineering department OF Huss,a' mas recently
visited England again on similar business
It has been stated, and we presume correcuy'
that large number of locomotive engines has
been ordered in Philadelphia for the Russian
Government. tits probable that some have
been ordered in England also. In New YORK
Two Russian officers are experimenting the
construction of a steam irigate.
A few years will suffice to bring about
wonderful change in the empire OF the autocTat
under The speedy application oil these new ele-
therits in the hands of despotic power. Russia
haslabored hitherto with her own unwleidness.
This difficulty was to be removed, and the re-
nate extTemities of her vast territory being
united and brought int eompactnesS' II Is I'M
possible to anticipate what new developemehtss
other resources will be made, what increased
energy will be added TO her movements.
We NAV look with the more interest upon the
progress of Russia in thus promoting system
IF Internal communication from TIE TACT that we
in this country are pursuing a similar course.
Here are two mighty empires, both looking far
forward into futurity-both occupying pronl-
bent positions in their respective hemlspheGes.
and resembling one another Ia the eEtent oil
their territorysand in 'undeyefoped resources;
rich in the promise ofmHch greatness and gram
deur 10 come How similar in some respects,
vet hoy unlike in othersl Both are running;
the same course, yet the motives Wheh proper
each are as different as it is possible mat they
could be. We move forward by the aggrega-
ton ofintividual energies; united by common
nupose. vet each having his own object IN
view. In Russia we behold the thoughts,
feelings and strength Of millions subject te the
direction of one man, who concentrates IN
single willthe power ola multitude OF minds
Here the spirit offIeedom works out its own
ends with an activity never before witnessed
On the other hand, the intense force oil the
despotic principle, ruling by obedience, presses
oaxxards with resistless power. The objects
Sirned 1t are 'ed ualy diverse. In the phitec
States, roads are constructed, rivers are b1dg.
ed. mountains tuanelled, canals opened, fol
what, To give facilities to trade, to increase
productions, to aecumElate wealth. Private
Smiollment ana national 1 IN are fhe great ends
in view. We make iaterlla.l goYements be-
cause they are profitable; they constitute gooc
stock; they add 10 the value of property ant
give briskness to business. But our autocra
teal contemporary cares little about these
things. He discover that rail roads are capita
for Transporting troops and munitions OF war
that locomotives are much more rapid and pow
erdal than horses. he constructs rail roads
therefore, and employs locomotives for military
purposes. The Baltic will be united with the
Caspian, ST. Petersburg will be brought nea
to Odessa; the Kissing ofsteam engines will b.
heard in the mountains of Circassia; because
thereby power may be concentrated and diffus
sed with rapidly and effect. Russia is destine'
10 Le greet. and so are these United States
Ahiempire and repubi ic--which shall prevail
IN the eeud2 4 ti!.i s'~a 4 Sii1.i i''f-'''