New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-11-27
Major TOchman's Lecture.

nave rarely seen Il osioEe. ine taiiu 4eSt~Ae u
the series before the Mercantile Library Associa-
ton was delivered by Major GAsPAhD TOcHMAs,
late an OfEcer il the Polish Army, aad more re-
Gently Professor in Louisville College, Kentucky.
HI. subject was the History and Revolution OF
Poland, and his lecture last evening was clear
and lucid exhibition Of the spirit which animated
tina; brave people in their struggles for indePend-
ence. and review OF the various means resorted
to by ,heir oppressors 20 crush and destroy their
national existence.
He commenced by saying that inasmcuh as he
was not familiar with the English language, i;
could not be supposed that any ambition of literary
fame mad induced him to appear before the ladies'
and gentlemen then present. He had been urged
to lose sight OF his imperfections solely BY the
desire TO promote a true knowledge Of his unhaF-
Ply country and to suggest matter for those who
might hereafter call public attention their affairs
and their efforts TO regain their inderendence.-
With ms apology he trusted the audience would
gran; hin their kind indulgence while he proceed
ed to lay before them some reEarks upon the His
tory and Revolution of Poland:
The country SAID ne, which once bere the name
of Poland, comprised an extent of country equal to
3s8, 900 square miles. It's population was twenty
four millions, of which number sixteen millions
spoke the true Polish language; the remainder
broken Polish and various Russian dialects. Dur
inc the last three centuries Poland had enjoyed a
Republican Government. At the head were Kings
elected for life. It's legislative power was vested
in Diet composed Of Two chambers, that OF Sen
ators and Representative. The despotic rulers Of
Europe, fearing that the influence OF the liberal
principles of th. Republic would eventually under
mine their absolute power had continued to invade
her territory aud having thoroughly learned by
experience that Masses of slaves and mercenary
soldiers could not stand against men made strong
BY the principles of freedom, they resorted to H-
treue, ;reachery and every low device their inge-
nuty could suggest until finally oycrpowered,
the wears l772, 1893 and 1895, Poland was torn
in piece, by Russia, Austria and Prussia in sue
ces.ion.
The advocates of despotic power have scattered
wide the belief that the great mass of the Polish
people were serfs subject TO the mobiles whom
they represented as the iyrants OF the former
Such Is the apology for the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF Po-
land Since they have been brought under the
despotic rule of Austria, and her other conq1erors,
they say moreover, her people ara happy and COR
tented under their sway. To remove these mis-
taken impressions allow to exhibit before you
some of our civil and political institutions. Pre-.
vous to the introduction of Christianity and for the
next three centuries the government OF Poland was
despoic monarchy The people were divided
into the following classes |. The Peers, who had
the power of choosing from their own number
twelve who should assist the King IN the admins
,ralion Of the government. . The mobiles. whose
public duty il was defend the country from for
eign aggression. Every man who fought the bat
ties of his country was esteemed Il noble. The
mobiles all equal among them selves and were
accustomed ia style themselves Brothers. a feu-
dal nobility never existed in Poland 3. The Pea
SAINTS, who were free and independently Their pub
lie duty guard the castles in time OF war. But
as the land was owned by the classes above them,
and as they held il merely As tenants, they were
considered ; subordinate 10 the others. 4. he
slaves or seris These, however, were never Poles.
Other nations in former times were accustomed TO
other hand more humanoly declared them and their
descendants slaves or serf.. All these slaves how
ever were emancpated and set free at once by
great National Assembly held l347. This assem-
bly,, moreover, passed laws limiting the power of
thu King and in this and other ways laid the found
ation stone of the Polish constitution. They made
: he monarchy first elective and then republic.
IL Is true that even when Poland had a republic
can form of government, when Kings were elected
for life, and the Legislative power was vested IN
Diet of two Chambers-even then the Peasants
were not admitted to the privileges OF legislators.
This was because Poland was founded upon savage
tribes Of barbarians, ignorant, superstition,
and degraded. Democratic principles could not
have extended to all the people; thu progress OF
her civilization would have been stopped, and Po-
land would again have become an absolute mon
archy. A reform OF mind was necessary and we
find provision made for this. The child OF the
peasant was admitted TO the same school with the
child of the noble, and all OF whatever class, whe
should have graduated at University were de-
clared to be nobles and entitled TO all the rights OF
free citizens of the Republic. In thus reforming
and eShghtenng her people Poland succeeded so
well, that time when she had population of
Il ,00O, 900, more than 100000 were electors
Contrast this with France which even az the pre-
sent day, after years of blood and revolution, with
a population 50, 100000 has bus 100000 electors
1t appears thea that the lawgivers of Pola ad
willing TO bring all Of her people To level By ma
king them all nebles. And there still is proof that
such is the tendency OF her institutions, for there
are within her borders naHy hundred villages in
habited wholly by MOBILES who till their own soil.
Another trait in the institutions OF Poland gives
similar testimony. In the fifteenth century all Ii
ties OF Princes, Counts, Barons, &c. were abo-
ished An equestrian order created which
was the only recognized privileged class The
nobls worth millions and to whom thousands paid
tribute aud the poorest member of thi. body were
both alike eligible to the Office of King At the
1.r.ssnt day ther.. are In Poland iy- tamilies wnr