The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-30

The following is the article of the Washington
Unis~ on Russia, which has excited DO much com.
motion in the ranks of the Democracy. and called
forth various structures from the presses of the
country at large:
From the Washinstom Union Of Moy 10.
RussIA.-Mr. H: Winter Davis, conspicuous
orator in the late Scott campaign, has published a
book with the fantastic title of '.The War of Or.
muzd and Ahriman, )" in which he affects to regard
the United States and Russia as the respective
Champions of the principle of liberty and the
principle of despots, and to foresee in the dsta
future mighty and decisive conflict between these
pufssant combatants in the great drama of human
history. The fundamental idea of this book ia 80
absurd fiction that no effort ofingenuitv or mower
of eloquence could cothe it in plausible garb II
s perfectly safe, therefore, to assume that it will
not make much impression upon the country when
developed in the extravagant speculation and nv
periodical rhetoric of the puerile production of Mr.
Davis
The idea of an inevitable antagonism and ulti
mate conflict between the United States and Russia
is 80 silly that can only express surprise that
any sensible man could entertain it for q momen IT,
1t was the dream of the Persian mythology that
the spirits of good and evil-Ormuzd and Ahri
mau-waged perpetual struggle for the ascend
ency over man; but to assign any such Quixotic
mission to nations ia to betray sad want of philo.
sophie reflection. Toaesume as the bins of a grave
disquision inevitable and mortal ntagonism
between the United States and Russia is to betray
an gorgeous ignorance OF the past and present
litical relations of the two countries. -
1t s the idea of some enthusiasts that the science
of government Is mere abstra cton and that its
theoretical perfection necessarily implies it's prac
teal fitness for man in every condition. Persona
who reason In this way may regard the Govern
ment Of Russia as an unmixed evil; but when we
consider the peculiar condition and wants of the
Russian people, and their aggregate Of individual
and national happiness we will conclude that they
are not 30 much the victims of oppression as such
writer's as the author of .Ormuzd and Ahriman''
would represent. The Government of Russia nav
be despotism, and for that reason abhorrent to
the notions OF republicans; but its effect upon the
subJect-peope establishes its fitness for them.
Under the government of absolute monarchy the
Russian nation have emerged from the depths of
barbarian, and within single century have ia ken
position III the front rank Of civilization. The
great fact in European history for the last hum
years is the rise and progress of Russia At the
battle of Putowa, July Sth, l709, an infant nation
struggled for existence. That infant has since
grown to the stature of a giant, and, like colos
sus, bestrides the continent of Europe lite social
development has been coincident with its growth
In political power; lts conquests in the realms of
science and art, and learning, have even sur
passed 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 parallel to its wonder full a.
reer. In every element of national strength and
happiness Russia is great and prosperous beyond
any other country of Europe Its government is
more stable and efficient, and it's people more con
tented than any other, while in respect to political
supremacy it ID universally recognised the pre-
ponderating power of the Old World. In the
character OF it's rulers Russia has been singularly
fortunate. In energy of will, honesty of purpose,
and force of genius, they have for the most part
presented striking exception to the proverbial
stupidity, cowardice, and meanness of legitimate
royalty. When we contemplate the policy of the
Russian government through all the vicisstudes
of its history, we are struck much by the i'm
mense genius as " the colossal ambition of it's
monarcbs. If the internal administration of the
government be conducted with any thing oe the
skill and energy which characterize it's foreign
policy, we need be at no loss to comprehend the
devoted loyalty and patriotism of the nation. And
We have right to infer, from the consummate
ability of the Russian diplomacy, that its govern
nj nt manifests no want of genius in conducting
the domestic concerns of the empire. Whatever
opinion may be entertained of the Russian gov
eminent in an abstract view, it is idle to deny the
energy of it's administration and its perfect adap-
tation to the condition of the nation. The destruc
ton of Moscow, the most heroic display of uncon-
querable patriotism which history records, illus.
trates the devotion Of the people to their country
and it's institutions.
The governments of Russia and the United States
are based upon antagonstic prnci ples; but their
relations have ever been of the moot AMIGA bic
kind. President jackson, in an official message,
spoke Of Russia ancient and steadfaet friend.
Mr. jeff rscn radical emocr at ae he was enjoyed
and reciprocated the ardent esteem of the Emperor
Alexander. Indeed, strange it may seem TO
theorists Of the "Ormuzd and Ahriman" school,
this chivalrous Emperor entertained an admiration
for American institutions. 1t was his friendly
mediation that initiated the negotiation which
resulted in the treaty of Client, and it was by his
arbitration that the citizens of the South got in
demnity for the slaves which were kidna pped by
the British in the last war. The regning Emperor
shares the feelings and opinions OF bis predecessor;
and we have every reason to believe that the
United States and Russia will consolidate and per-
petuate their friendly relations by the same just
and pacific policy which has regulated their inter-
course in times past.