Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-05-25
Democracy and Autocracu.

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Democracy and Autocracy.
The Washington Union, the official organ of
the present Democratic administration, few
hays ago, bestowed column of elaborate lauda-
lion on Russia, her institutions aud her despots.
We quote single extract from this extraordina-
~ article as fair specimen of the whole
"Under the government of absolute monarchy
the Russian nation have emerged from the depths
. of barbarism, and within a single century
have taken position in the first rank OF civilization
The great fact in European history for the last
hundred years is the rise aud progress of Russia
At the battle of Putowa, July 5th, 1909, an in
FAINT nation struggled for existence. That infant
has since grown to the statue OF giant and like
a colossus, bestrides the continent of Europe
Its social development has been csincident with
its growth in political power; its conquest in
tine realms of science and art, and learning. have
eyeu surpassed the vast achievements OF its
armies. In the rapidity of its progress it
has outstripped every nation in Europe, and
the United States alone can present a paral-
lei to its wonderful career In every ele
mont of national strength and happiness Rus
STA is great and prosperous beyond any ether
country of Europe. Its government is more
stable and efficient, aud its people more contents
ed than any other; while in respect to political
supremacy it is universally recognised as the pre-
pouderating power of the Old World. 1t is in tho
character of its rulers Russia has been singular
" fortunate. In energy of will, honesty of pur-
pose and force of genius they have tor the most
part presented striking exception to the prover-
bal stupidity, cowardice, aud meanness Of le.
gitimate royalty. When contemplate the
policy of the Russian government through all
the vicissitudes of its history, we are struck as
much by the immense genius as the colossal
ambition of its monarchs. Ii the internal al.
ministrntion of the government be conducted
with any thing of the skill and energy which
characterizes its foreign policy, we need be at
no loss to comprehend the devoted loyalty and
patriotism of the nation.'
Had the National Intelligencer or the Wash
ington Republic giveo utterance to these senti.
ments during Mr.. Fimores administration, we
should have heard awful thunders from the De-
mocratic press throughout the length and breadth
of the land. The Wing party would have been
denounced as the advocates and apoogists Of
despotic power. and Mr.. Fillmore would have
been held up to the scorn and indignation of the
American people as conspiring with the Russian
Gar against the liberties of mankind. We hear,
however, not syllable of dissent from the
Unon's views the part of the minor organs Of
the great Democratic party. and not the slightes-
disposition is manifested to hold Gen Pierce ret
sponsbe for the somewhat remarkable revelations
of his oracle. We hope to have some further
light on this latter point. Does the Unions Gu
logy on Russian despotism reflect the sentiments
of our American President? Are we to under
stand that this Democratic administration en-
dorses Russia and her institutions and her whole
line of Autocrats from Peter the Great down to
Nicholasl If So it is due to the American peo.
pie that they should be informed of the fact.
We see nothing to wonder at in the admira-
tion so warmly expressed by the Democratic
organ, for the autocracy of Russia. The inevi-
table tendency of all extremes is to meet and in
obedience to this universal law, Democracy
which means the government of all-invarisbly
runs when allowed its own way, into Monarchy,
which is tho government of one. From the days
of Pisistritus and of Julius Cesar down to those
of Louis Napoleon. the ultra Democrat has always
worshipped the One Man power. and has, sooner
or later, sought shelter under its!ngis.
The Unions praises of Russia are full of alb
sufd exaggeration. For instance, in emu mera-
ting the projections of her monsrchs, the Demo-
cratic organ says that "honesty of purpose" is
honest purpose. we would ask, that dictated the
policy OF Russia towards Poland Was it an
honest purpose that prompted the Gar to unite
with Austria in crushing the cause of liberty and
Independence in Hungary and is it an honest
purpose that still guides his efforts to bring the
free and brave mountainee rs of Circassia beneath
his iron yoke
The Philadelphia North American has a reply
to the Unions article from which we make the
following extract:
The great fact in European history for the
Last hundred years" says the Union, sis the rise
snd progress of Russia We should suppose
that Democratic American Journal would have
cl,imed to rank the American Revolution, as a
part, aud the great fact of European history.
seeing that the British colonies in the new world
were portion of the empire of one OF the first
powers of the old, and that the clash of that
event was felt in every European heart and by
every European throne. If deny the homer
of this event. the French Revolution, which was
an offshoot and consequence of American Inde-
psndence. and which shook 10 the centre, disor.
eanized and reorganized all Europe, must be
conceded to have been the great fact. The rise
OF Russia is not even of the many great
an A.iad than European power. She has not
yet sensibly affected Europe; her Influence is not
vet felt Except through antcipalige fears. Rus
STA may, hereafter "bestfide' Europe; tn at