Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-07-21
Progress in Russia.

intelligence from Russia. A letter from ST.
Petersburg which has been published in the
"National" says,
"Evety one here is expecting some great
event, if any credit is TO be attached 10 the
reports in circulation, and which, there is
every reason 10 believe, are well found 3D.
The Emperor yesterday sent for the Presi-
dent of the Senate, the principal dignilaries of
the Empire, the Bishop, and the Ministers,
and communicated to them a project which
he had in contemplation, for Immediately en-
franchising all the peasants from personal
servitude. They would then be placed in
the same condition as the Poles. and The peo-
pie in the provinces of the Baltic.
"The young Prince G-V-, who is
very popular at st. Petersburg, warmly supp
ported the plan; but the hereditary Grand
Duke, who was believed to be of a weak and
irresoIute character, supported by His uncle
the Grand Duke Michael and a great number
of important personages, insisted, with much
tirmness, on things remaining as they now
are, founding their arguments on the danger
which would arise from giving freedom to
men yet plunged in the lowest state of bar
barism, and who have not yet received any
of the advantages Of education, and that on
the eve of a probable war, any change Of the
king would he impolite. Notwithstanding
this opposition. orders were sent by the Elm
peror to the civil and military authorities in
the different provinces, to sound the feelings
of the people upon the subject"
Thus we see that even amid the fros,s and
SHOWS of the inhospitable North, the fires of
liberty are melting the despotism of centu-
ries, and conservative Russia is preparing 10
do homage to the spirit OF the Age. The
serfdom Of Russia is far less oppressive than
the slavery of America-it does less violence
to the nature of man, is less debasing to
both body and mind. The right of absolute
ownership, of unlimited control, is a princi-
pie that is no part of Russian servitude, while
it is the most prominent feature in the ''pe-
culiar institution of this land. Serfship is
not chattelism either in principle or in prac-
lice and yet it is a form Of servitude so re-
pulsive to the better feelings of humanity,
that the Emperor of Russia-tyrant and des-
pot as Republican shareholders affirm him to
be-is unwilling to tolerate it on his domains.
Three cheers for the Emperor! Were he in
the Presidential chair to-day, a better demo-
era, than James X. Polk would stand at the
helm of this government.
If the serfs of Russia know anything a.
bout America, they must even now be con-
graduating each other that they do not live
in a professed Republic whose statesmen are
but the tools of slavery, the mouth piece
through which she utters her commands. 1t
shames US to think that Russia is enlarging
the freedom of her setfs, while America is
forging new letters for her slaves. 1t shameS
US to think that she is outstripping US in the
race of freedom; yet, if we are determined
to stand still, or we move but to retrograde
thank God that other nations 90 far beyond
us, even though Brazil and Spain should
leave us the distinguishing infamy of being
the last supporters of slavery.
Welcome emancipation by whomeveI
wrought! All honor to the honest workers
in freedoms cause! Every fetter that is
brOken-we care not whether it falls from
the Russian serf or the Algerine captive
weakens the power of slavery in this land
so that if every feeling Of compassion has be-
come dead within us, and our sense of JUS
tice entirely destroyed, the pressure of an
awakened world, the light flowing in upon
us from surrounding nations, and the concen-
trated scorn and contempt of a freedom low
ing and freedom giving universe, will soon
er or later compel us to lay down our slave
whips, sunder the chain links, and give
liberty to the bondman.
God grant that that time may speedily ar
rive.