Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-05-28
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
RUSSIA AND THE WASHINGTON UNION"

An article in the Washington Union newspaper OF tn
10th May, 1868, the Russian Empire has been mad
the subject much malicious msconsruction and
less abuse that the writer considers duty address
the public in its justification.
If you will permit me to make the columns Of the Ma
onal Iategeneer the medium of that address, you will
confer upon me favor which will properly appreciate
That we may have all the points in controversy within
view beg you to subjoin the original article from thu
Uaon-he pretext of that stupid camor which mean t.
rebuke and dscredt in the opinion of every honest and
intelligent man.
book, in my Judgment very wild and silly book, had
been written and published with the ayowed object Of
placing this country and the Russian Empire in warke
antagonism The aim and fundamental idea of the book
are succnoy but quite accurately set forth by critic in
the following words:
"The sOrmuzd and Ahriman' of the political world
are liberty and desposm and their purest ncarnatons
are the Republic of America and the Empire of Russia
Within fourscoe years these two Powers have grown from
insign6cance be the arbters of the world An newt
able contest is hand the Apocalyptic battle of Arma-
geddon to be fought and the question which Anne
rcans have to decide is not whether they will live in
peace and repose gratuitousy 60 on crusade for
liberty throughout the world but the absolute necessity
of contest with the combined powers of despotism being
apparent shall wait till those Powers having utterly
rooted free Governments from Europe shall turn their
might for destruction, alone and without allies
shall seize the first opportunity of decisive out
break in Europe to aid the of freedom with
and money fight battle by the armies Of European
revoluionsts the field of Europe and by the aid OF
allies forever settle the question between freedom and
despotsm."s
Now, editor Of journal which is generally thought
TO be in some sort the organ of the
sdered it my duty to counterfeit far possible the
mscheyous tendency Of the wild theories of this book
With that design the leader in the Union of the
18th of May was anxious soothe any irritation and
to any unjust prejudces against Russia which the
book might possibly engender in this country. 1t was
my wish to indicate that the views of the Government
were pacific and to express such sentiments as being
perfectly just would contribute to perpeuate the rela
tons of friendship which have subsisted between the
United States and the Russian Empire. 1t was essential
this purpose that should dscredt the statements and
expose the faacy of the arguments of the book before
me. This undertook to accomplish by showing, first
that the Russian Government is the monster of ni
putty the incarnation Of evil which it was represented
and secondly that the United States and Russia
far from being opposed to another by inevitable
antagonsm have been bound together by the close
ties of friendship and reciprocal You will per-
ceye that did nota within the scope of my design to
narrate detail the history of the Russian Empire and
to and balance the merits and defects of the
Russian Government. This irrelevant to my argu-
ment II had undertaken such task, would unques-
tonab have denounced the instances of tyranny and OPP
preston Of which the Russian Government like every
other Government in Europe has frequently been guilty
would, with especial emphasis have denounced Russian
Intervention in the Hungarian struggle of l849. But,
my being to combat the positions and conclusions
Of the book under revfew1 did wander beyond the
road before into irrelevant display of historical
learning and philanthropc indignation.
No specific accusation Of false or falacous
reasoning has been made aganst-the article in the Uon
Not Of its assertions has been disputed one of it's
positions has been assaed An indefinite and senseless
camor the sort of opposition il has encountered An ap
peal to blind ignorance stupid prejudice, and such nco
heren ravng against despotsm read about twelve
months since in the pages Of the Democratic Rerev will
scarcely make impression upon the public mind. But
much carry my original purpose and strenth
my positions as TO guard against popular mscon-
cepton propose show, by abundant evidence of the
highest authority that have neither msrepresented the
condition Of the Russian Empire nor missated the
latons which have subssted between the Russian Gov
eminent and this Republic. .
| am not the eulogist Of the Russian Empire. bu
state facts which can deny Asa journalist through
to the attention Of the American people important truths
which concern them a nation. III censure must al
tach it is Providence for ordaning and history for
corng these facts and to journal that relates hen
in a manner conducive TO the public welfare.
McCuoch writer Of the highest authority in the de
partment Of political statistics, albeit imbued with Brit
ish prejudice of Russian power makes the following
statement in his Geographical Dictionary:
But It may well be doubted whether in the state
Of Russia the present form Of be better
adapted it, wants than any that could be substituted in it
stead Ii is sufficiently clear well from general principles
from what has actually occurred that hussian Princes
not safely follow Of conduct generally dsked by the
nation. On the other hand however the and unity
the sovereign power the security for the progress Of
civilization and for the improvement and webeng Of the
Of the people The latter being for the part slaves
without property, intelligence, nfunce would be tyran
niEed ncomparaby greater than present
had the mobiles any share in the Government they
La INuwa Dol
would be- the nobility superior classes parcpatn,
in the sovereign power But the interests Of the auocra
and those Of the Of the people generally identical
Under his protecting @gis civilization Is daily extending
class Of free laborers is gradually growing up The EN-
peor afraid Of the MOBILES few Of whom supposed
be tnctured with liberal principles but he has nothing
fear n their slaves Hence the despoc power Of the for
the latter has been materially reduced very grea
changes for the better have been made in the condition
OF the peassntry the Estates and the Govern
ment has gone steadily with quite much rapdity
would warrant endeavorng improve and ad
the sere portionthat is the great Of m sub
ects-and pave the way for their ultimate emancipation
An enlightened despotsm In fact the suitable Gov
for suel acountry Russia representative
shtuon would merely put additional power into the hand
Of comparatively small class and would be little sdapte
70 the wants Of such country absolute Government
would be in England"
Again is curious that the dos
political nature the Government all the provincial tribunal
consst partly Of elective unctOnars 1t principle il
Russia that portion Of the judges in every court should be
long to the the party whose interests are unde
discussion and be elected for that purpose by
Crime not frequent in Russia and property il a. well pro
tected in IL in any other country. Capital Ar
rare being the only crime visited with DEATH
II is sufficiently clear, from what already been seen
that such rcvolussn should materially modify the po
of the Cra would not be for the advantage bulk OF IN
people but the reverse In regard the condition Of M
serf the writer remarks Oppression and eatm
are good deal less than formerly and IL is
anly that the condition Of the Doors by means
bad az might pror be concluded and that respects M
command over the necessares Of life they ~ ben
.tua,ion than tie peosaa, II Ireland Those the estate
and landIords 90,