Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-01-30

RUSSIA AND THE EXILEs OF SIBERIA,

RUSSIA AND THE EXILES OF SIBERIA,
Ihexexles OF Siberia, though thousands of miles
distant, and shut cut from all communication with
the rest Of mankind, have long drawn towards them
the lively sympaihes Of the world and in our con-
dolence with the bereaved and the lonely, we are
apt to speak harshly Of the Russian Emperor. In
such tone we were strongly drawn by the lateru-
mors about tho Ambassador Bodisco But in this
we may mistake the proper object of censure. A.
painst the despoism of their constitution, and the
despolism Of their government, our indignation as
republicans must be directed for both the laws and
the administration Of the empire, must be carefully
distinguished from the person of its nominal chief
A Russian Gar is by no means the independent,
all-conlrolling being, which his high office seems
at first view to Indicate.
He is restrained and governed by the ancient u
sages customs, and laws Of the empire, tantamount
to what we denominate the common law and the
constitution. He is controlled by powerful councils
of the nobility, and by the high administrative
bonds, proving a power behind the throne, compar
ed with which the throne itself is but mere pa
geant BY these strong aristocratlc associations,
the father of the late Emperor, Alexander, was de-
posed and put to death, and he, then young man,
was declared to be Emperor. Sach transactions
had occurred there before. Even 80 late as in 1925,
on the death Of Alexander, the regular succession
was again interrupted by these, to as, unseen pow
ers, and Constantine was set aside, and his young
er brother, the present Nicholas, aber and bright
er intellect was forced to assume the imperial rur-
pie. In truth, Russia is essentially an oligarchy,
though not in name for the arlstocratc element
is practically more influential than the imperial.
And it is this large assembage of boards, coun-
cils synods, heads of departments, and controlling
arisocratlc families, all collected together, which,
By their very numbers and power, have made 81.
Pelersburgh in the cold parallel OF 20 degrees North
latitude, spring up like enchantment and grow to
be city of Goo, 900 nhabitants-far greater than
our own New York, and only little more than
half as old. Built in a dreary waste, and named
after her chief Emperor it has prospered beyond all
example, while our own seat OF government, stua-
ted in fertile region, and called after the Father
of his Country seems destined to langulsh; another
point on which Russia and the United States, look
inc alike to an unbounded and ncomPehenslble fu-
ture, are yet the very anpodes.
The Siberian exlles long enveoped IN cloud OF
darkness from the world, have been recently brought
to LIGHT by the travels ofSir George Simpson, gov
ernor of the Hudson Bay Company's territories On
our North, who, to use his own language, has truly
"seen more of that colossal Empire than any other
individual, living or dead" According TO him,
their condition is far more favorable than that oil
convic,s transported from his own native islands to
Australia. Indeed, on the score of Humanity, Eng
land should blush when thus compared with Rns-
sa, ard the testimony is the more reliable, coming
as it does, not simply from one of her most lntei-
gent sons but from one Of The high officers OF her
government. We take few passages from bis toar
through Siberia: W..
"For the reforming cf the criminal, in addition
to the punishment of the crime, Siberia is undoub-
edly the best rententary in the world, When not
bad enough fr the mines, each exile Is PROVIDED
with lot Of ground, a house, horse, two cows
and agricultural implements, and also tor the hrsl
wear with provisions. For three years he pays no
iaxes whatever-and for the next ten, only hall the
full amount To bring fear as well as hope to oP'
crate in his favor, he clearly understands that ms
very first slip will send him from his home and ms
friends to toll as an oucast in The mines.
s.The perpetrators of heinous offences are sent TO
tire mines those for minor delinquences are settled
in villages or on farms and POLITICAL offenders, conf
prsing ,ldiers authors and statesmen, are gener-
ally established by themselves in little KNOBS, com
mnnicatng to all around them degree o! clVihza'
ton and refinement. cv 49,,
among the exes at the capital of lenlssei' we
saw one Of high rank, Lieutenant General Davidoii'
banished for some attempt or other al Te'olalioh-