Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-05-31
14S
nltstrllanrous.
IIH l||INI
SIBERIA.
From the n. Y. Tribune.

Siberia, n land so famous yet so little known,
las, like all mysteries, touched many iancics
aud busted many pens. Unwilingly resi-
lent there, | wish to sketch some of its pc
.uIiarities as a relief against my tedious lie,
write to kill time, but even II what say
shall lack system, it must needs be vnlua-
lie contribution TO our knowledge OF a coun-
iry so well deserving and rewardng atten-
on, yet rarely visited, save by those who
would much more gladly go the other way.
Should be fortunate enough once more to
,uach my native land, il will be my pleasure
20 arrange all the results of my Siberian eX-
crience, and to give them AN adequate form.
am Political Prisoner, and my punish
rient is banishment. But political crimes
have their degrees, and so also have their ro-
buttons. There are four grades of punish
luent in Siberia:
First, Residence in city.
Second, Service in Siberian Battalion.
Third, Colonization.
Fourth, Public lubor-in other words, work
~ the mines.
There is also q fifth grade, which is howe
eer, but greater degree of the fourth, Pris-
Dners in company.
Whoever is sentenced to residence in
city retains his right as nobleman. lie can
correspond with his friends, although nntu-
rally tie whole correspondence passes thro'
the hands of the Mayor of the city, and is
very limited in its scope. The prisoner
must not 60 beyond the city limits, but with
IN them he may employ his time as he will,
and is not constrained to labor. Whoever is
appointed to n battalion has the same priyi-
!ege Of correspondence under the same con-
ditions.
The political colonsts take their name
from the fact that they were formerly only
allowed 10 live in villages. They are depri-
we'd of nobility, and in order Of rank they
stand lower than the Russian Doors. Jus
tice ceases for them, and anybody may insult
and mntreat them without danger from the
law. Yet they belong still TO the living, and
may also correspond with their friends. At
present the colonists mostly live in the city,
nre not forced TO work, aud have 10 other
supCrintcndence than that Of the ordinary
police.
Those who are condemned 10 living
death in the bowels of the earth, there TO ,
perish, or after an endurance of suffering TO |
become Colonists, are 10 more TO be ranked /
with human beings but with beasts OF bur
den, with tools aud machines. All human
intercourse has ceased for them; they are |
buried alive and are entirely beyond the law:
The Companion Prisoners are compelled
10 tho most loatlsome labor in the forts and !
prisons, always wear clluins and have tie
head hafshnvcd, This class is considered
the lowest of all. Russian social rank nd
m,s nothing lower. 1t is great error TO
despise the position of the Russian serls. In
the eyes of the prisoners they have great
importance, especially the seris of the crown.
II would be long and weary work for Tie
condemned to climb to the rights aud impor-
Iauce even of this class.
The manner in which the prisoners reach
their appointed place Of punishment depends
ranly upon the verdict aud much upon the
hulnor OF the Judges. AS far us Tobollsk
the Transport generally goes by post, and
with some few short p0uses nj night for rest.
The third and fourth classes Of the condemn
cd perform the rest of the journey upon foot
laden with chains aud in company with the
most abandoned meu, together with whom
they are often bound TO an iron pole.
know nothing sadder and more horrible tllnI
the encounter of such procession. Fo
my own part recall nothing in Dunte's llel
SO awful. They do indeed, with come hu
man feeling allow these wretched wauderer
some DAYS of rest. But where mus: the
pass them? In the jails upon tue deser
close by the post stations; jails devoted I
the very scum of humanity, and in full vle'
of the horses aud carriages whose use is dC
MED 10 their despairing weariness,
The population OF Siberia is divided int
three classcs-peasants oftlc crown, trader
aud officials of every kind
The pensant owns no master and IS ire
from forced labor. With little gift 10 Ill
Gar he finds every thing easy. Cunnin
from the first, he throws himself eagerly inI
the stream OF trade, and soon becomes inis
us his business is governed neither by rel
gion nor morality. Even when it is OF !
nersonal advantage he lies for the love of
and with sly satisfaction despises the deira,
ded victim, whom he regards as his intelle
tunl inferior. If you ask him whether he
Russian he answers-No, am Siberia
but YOU will much mistake if you expect
find in him peculiar nationality.
The native is Russian through and throug
aud shares all the Russian virtues and vice
lie has no inspiring recolections oftle pai
no national prcjudices aud songs-and
the most prosaic man upon Gods earth.
is even inferior in these respects to the ia
lars, whose descendants are scattered abo
among the Russians, like islands. Amol
these men fingers yet some shadow, as
were, of ,lleir former dignity and dominic
Although to-day slaves, from whose lea
oil hopes of freedom has died away, a
who lave no longer even the idea OF a fa
er!and, yet in their songs sounds still yag
yearning toward the great daysueparted, n
their simple artlessness touches the hei
like beautiful dream. il matters not Il
Vou do not understand the words of the so
Its sense is evident enough. 1t is the HI
If an invineibe race saying, upon the gray
Of his fathers, prayer which he does
himself understand,
The Siberian Russian has no thought
the Past, There is no yesterday TO hll
nothing bat the present moment-ond Il
moment combined enjoyment of bran,
bathing and tea. Vainb do YOU speak
him Of heaven, for his heaven is where
finds schnapps, tea and yapor-bath. q
lie knows only as an imnge or more prope
AZ caricature, before which a lamp bu
aud by which ho bends and crosses him'
Il