Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-02-04
Russia.

--r,. Russia.
The following extract from the Paris cores.
pondence of the New York Journal of Commerce,
will be found at this time especially interest
ing:
+ "Alison thinks that the simultaneous growth
of Russia in Europe and Asia, of the United
States of America, and of the British empire in
India and Australia, stand forth pre-eminent
in this age of wonders With the first he asso-
ciates the dwindling away of the Mahomedon
faith and the boundless extension of the Chris
tan. For Russia, the great and lasting acqui-
sition was the Grand Duchy of Warsaw-the
Kingdom of Poland. sThe constitutional and
representative institutions conceded to the king
dom by Alexander, proved worse than useless in
practice" Their entire failure adds another to
the numerous instances which history affords, OF
the danger and futility of transplanting insti-
tutions suitable to one race and state Of socie-
| ty, to people of different blood, and in a
different stage of social and political existence
With Poland, Russia has her advanced posts in
the heart of Europe-within one hundred and
eighty miles of both Vienna and Berlin. Alex
ander's sister, the Grand Duchess Anne, mar
ried the Prince of Orange, now monarch Of
Holland, and Nicholas obtained the hand OF the
Princess of Prussia, sister of Frederick William.
These alliances were important in their effect on
| the international relations Of Europe.
Russia is backed-like the United States-as
Napoleon said, by two invincible allies-Time
and Space The historian estimates her popu-
lation in 1853, including her army, at seventy
millions, of whom the Asiatic amounts to about
five Sixty millions are inhabitants of the
country. and engaged in cultivation. The pop
! ulation doubles every seventy years. This ratio
is greater than that of any other State of Eu-
rope, Prussia excepted. The entire superfces
of Russia in Europe is 2,120,0OO square geo.
graphical miles. In Great Britain, it is two
hundred and twenty. Unity of feeling and
purpose supply incalculable force to Russian
physical means. There have been instructions
and revolts, but none which aimed at change
| in the form of government or separation OF
one part of the empire from the other. The
Russians are devotedly attached to their soil ;
they have the strongest bonds Of cohesion which
can exist for people-identity of religious be-
lief and unity of temporal interests. In regard
to government, they are oriental in their feel
ings and habits. They are universally and at
all times loyal to the Car, as such; he is their
supreme chief and the head Of their church.
There is no nation more profoundly impressed
with religious feelings than the Russians; but
the Bible is known to small part only; preach
lily Is very EdIC, AIGC, 10 dil Ill AACA
religion enters the eye, not intellect or ear. The
clergy are very numerous body; as they are
allowed to marry, their children are more SO
nearly all of these receive the elements of edu-
cation, and form the chief class from whom the
functionaries of the government are drawn.
The class of mobiles in 1929 embraced about
800, 600 individuals; some possessed of immense
fortunes the majority not rich, find employ
ment in the army. In 1848, the Serfs, or pea
SAINTS, the property of masters, had increased to
nearly twelve millions, in European Russia !;
they are adstrucn gleboe-bound to the soil, and
for the most part, engaged in the labors Of ag-
riculture. Allison thinks it quite q mistake to
suppose that this immense body of men are
slaves in the English or American sense of the
word they are indeed liable to be sold with the
estate, and cannot leave it without the consent
Of the master they constitute, as property, the
main part of its value; but they enjoy impor-
tant immunities and advantages, such as might
warrant the doubt whether they could do so well
if under any other circumstance. The condi-
ton Of the serf is-generally speaking-so far
as physical, personal comfort goes, equal or
superior to that Of any peasantry in Europe.
No separation of families is allowed in sales !;
the serf cannot be sold apart from the estate
unless he consent All Of the peasants live in
villages. Each village has q certain portion of
land, which they cultivate on their own account.
They cling to the community or disposal in
common BY each village. According to the
travellers and observers of most authority, the
liberation of the serfs should never be made a
general or compulsory measure, but left to the
wants and interests Of each locality.
The Russian is prepared for the hardships of
war by continual conflict with the severity of
Nature. His climate, diet, toll, submissiveness,
and all his habits and ideas, qualify him for
any military discipline and service. Civiiiza-
ton depends entirely on, and proceeds from, the
higher ranks; there is none of that pressure
from below which constitutes SO important an
element in the society of western Europe. Our
historian exhibits the Russian military strength
as it has been viewed by military writer's of
reputation. After making every deduction for
peculiar DEFICIENCIES, he infers that Russia could
marshal 400, 900 infantry, 100, 600 cavalry, and
$4,000 artillery-men, for service beyond her
frontier; but the distances are SO great, in the
empire, that it would require more than q year
to bring even the half Of this immense force to
bear on any point either in Europe or Asia.
The principal armies are permanently stationed
in positions where they may be comparatively
near the probable theater of military operations,
and best promote the purposes Of the diplomatic
corps. The time required for the concentration
of troops on any one point. and malvesation in
the commissariat, account for the unexpected
reverses, or trifing successes, which have SO of
ten attended the Russian arms on the first break
ing out Of hostilities. .s,1r Hill ~
INTERRoGATIvE.-The editor of the Baton
Rouge Daily Comet must have been in an inter-
negative mood, on the goth, when he wrote
doun tho followsrrr ~. A . eno,, a Tho nuoat;oue