American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-04

| land, and the evident and almost irresistible
influence which Russia exercises over European
affairs, makes her at the present moment an
object of peculiar interest.
| The resources and power of this empire are
such as to make her character and purposes of
interest to mankind in general Russia in Eu-
rope contains one million FIVE hundred thou
sand square miles. We're it peopled as densely
as the British islands, which contain but ninety
one thousand square miles, it would have
population of three hundred millions. 1t is
true that of this territory great portion is
forest, or extends SO far to the north as to
present almost insuperable obstacles to the cul-
tivation of the SOIL Yet, even in her deserts,
it is said that there are vast ranges Of pastures,
the favorite places of those mounted hordes,
who, In invasion or defence, constitute most
formidable portion of the Russian military
power. The heart of the empire is occupied
by lands of the greatest fertility, producing in
most unlimited abundance all that is necessary
to the sustenance and comfort Of man. In its
southern latitudes the vine, the apricot, and
the peach ripen beneath sky as genial as that
of our own sunny South, and vast fields of
roses, which, in the language of an elegant
writer, perfume the air for miles around, flower
in luxuriant beauty on the shores of the Dan
ube. The present population Of Russia in Eu-
double in about half century. European
Russia supports population of at least
200, 100000. But, immense as is Russia in Eu-
rope, it dwindes into insignifcance when com
pared with the Asiatic portion of the empire
Thatportion amounts to 5, ,250, 600 square miles,
or more than an eighth Of the whole terres-
trial surface The present population is only
100000 but, if peopled densely as Great
Britain, it would support 100000, 900, which,
with the SOC, ,OO0, 900 which European Russia is
capable of supporting, would present popula-
ton within 2O0,O of the number of the pres
ent inhabitants of the globe. The Imagination
is staggered in the attempt to picture an empire
occupying one-eighth of the earths surface, in
habited by nearly as many people as the whole
present population Of the world, and all under
the rule of one man. History has never re-
corded such monstrous empire, and we may
well be permitted to doubt whether the eye of
man will ever look upon any single government
of such unnatural magnitude.
The military power of Russia makes strong
display upon her muster-rolls. These muster
rolls show $50, 600 infantry, and 250, 900 cavalry,
though Alison, an accurate historian computes
that the true estimate of the Russian army for
offensive war would be 400, 900 infantry, 1O0, 600
horse, and $4,000 artillery men in the field.
This is undoubtedly large force, but we have
seen no evidence of late Of Russian military
success which indicates to our minds any imnte-
diate danger to Europe. She has made but lit
tie headway in her efforts for a hundred years
at European conquest. She has beaten the
Poles, the Turks, and the Hungarians; acting
in concert, however, in some of these cases,
with others, and availing herself of the aid OF
conspiracy and of treachery, as well as of arms
If Napoleon had invaded her in the spring in,
stead of the winter, he would have annihilated
this colossal power, and preserved Europe and
England from all danger Of the avalanche which
now hangs above their heads.
The slavery of Russia is one Of the most re
markable features of the constitution of that
country. 1t is computed that at least forty
millions Of her population are slaves. Now
we appeal to all dispassionate minds whether
it is not one of the strangest things ever re
corded in the annals of human inconsistency
that Great Britain should lavish all her denun
Citations of slavery upon America, and say not
one word of precisely similar institution, EN-.
bracng more than thirteen times the same
number of slaves, in Russia. Nay, her great
historian, Alison, absolutely apologies for
slavery in Russia, and says it is better CON
dition than that of the peasantry of Ireland
"The laborers on a Russian estate" says Mr.
Alison, " constitute, rs they formerly did in the
West Indies, the chief part of its value; and
thus the proprietor is induced to take care of
his slaves by the same motives which prompt
him to do so with his buildings or cattle. Re-
lief in sickness, care Of orphans maintenance
of the manned, or in old age, are important ad-
yantages to the laboring classes, even in the
most favorable circumstances. The long want
of such maintenance and care for the poor is
the true secret of the misery Of Ireland 1t
would be a real blessing to its inhabitants, in
Han ~ he - e.
the protection Of slavery. Stripes, insults and
compulsory labor are no light evils; but they
are as nothing, compared to the wasting agonies
of famine and the violence Of ill-directed and
ungoyernabe passions, which never fail to seize
upon prematurely emancipated man." Why do
British writers never think Of these considera-
tons in connexion with American slavery?
We are inclined to regard Russian slavery as
great element in the military strength Of that
people. 1t gives her government vast amount
Of physical strength to cultivate the earth, and
to employ in war. When taken in connexion
with the martial spirit Of the whole people,
their supersttious devotion to their emperor
and to the conquest, and the cool and calcnla-
ting wisdom which marks every step of the
foreign and domestic policy of the Russian gov
ernment we think that Europe has cause for
gloomy forebodings. gs.-Richmond Dispatch.
~
TELEGRAPHIo FEAT.--The New York and New
Orleans telegraph line, at noon to-day, sent and
received messages to and from each terminus
with rs much ease as though it were only to
and from Philadelphia or Boston. At twelve
o'clock, message of thirty-four words, adj
dressed to the New Orleans Picqyune, was sent
from the Office in this city direct, and answer
was returned in less than five minutes. The
distance between New York and New Orleans,
by telegraph, is over nineteen hundred miles;
and we are informed the above feat has never
been performed before to-day, since the estab-
lishmcnt Of telegraphs in this country.
NJ Y. CON- AdU
How TO BE A WOMAN OF FAsHIoN.--To be
woman Of fashion is one Of the easiest things
in the world. A late writer thus describes it
BnY every thing Yor don't want paY for mo-