Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-08-03

ed notions with implacalle severity Domestic
affection, friendship, love OF country. fidelity to
religious or political principle, all 50 many
/ crimes in his eyes, when Mt variance with his
ideas, or when they become proofs Of findepeDdence
of character in those who cherish them How is
II possible 10 govern a community, whatever its
nature, from which all seeds Of vigor and great
ness crushed out and the only means eYnrloved
are such as tend to corrupt and destroy 1t? Yet
this idea is the KEY 10 tie system of Nicholas
This system will yet work out the punishment Of
his pride-a fact Z b regretted for this man had
every advantage necessary u cradle HIM to
pursue an opposite course. Fate placed him upon
a hight too lJity r hiIn-the principle Of despo-
tie authority has had its day he could only raise
it again by evil means, and these ia the end must
work out his destruction.
Many occurrences in his private life arise ia Iny
memory, which illustrate the contradiction, oi
which have been speaking.
Thus | saw him refuse a slight communication Of
the sentence of political officer, Notwithstanding
the earnest entTeates of the Empress, and the bit
ter tears cfa distracted mother, and about the
same time myself heard him utter, in behalf Of
a favorIte words too memorable not To be record
ed here.
Gen. Bibikoff, now Minister Of the Interior
then Governor General of three provinces. had at
the head of the Court of Chancery a man who no.
toriously plundered without mercy, the inhabt-
ants of these three provinces, but who paid for his
privileged robbery in the charms Of his WIFE who
became the Generals avowed mistress, with the
full consent Of the cOmplacent husband. When
this shameful transaction reached the ears of the
Emperor, he expressed the deep interest he felt in
the condition of more than ,0O0, 900 of his sub
jects, in the remark: 'Let him alonei" adding.
in al!usion to the Intimacy between the General
and the Chancellor's wife, I'VE must overlook
something for our friendsi"
Thus, may be imagined, corruption goes on
apace, without let or hindrance. The following
proof of this, feel sure, will hardly be credited by
my readers as having occurred IN one OF the So
called civilized courts of Europe.
The Empress wishing to present some mark of
esteem to the famous singer Rubini, procured a
watch richly set with diamonds, which she ex-
hibited at an evening party at Court, to the ge-
neral admiration of those present, among whom
was the Prince of Prussia, her brother. After the
splendid jewel had been duly examined and ad-
mired, it was handed to the Marshal of the Court
to be presented TO the singer. Two days after the
Prince Of Prussia, meeting Rubiui III the street
inquired of him how lie pleased with the gift
of the Empress Upon Rubini's taking it out
the Prince TO his astOnishment only a com
mon gold watch. the enameed one having ap-
parently melted away in the hands of the cour-
tiers.
Such examples illustrate forciblv nv assertion.
that uncontrolled power tends powerfully to evil
Az energetic character and strong will may at
tempt to check the current, but in vain. But
there can be no barrier set 70 the gradual develop
IIJIU VI CuTTuI5t1 ana ImquIUy, Tor UneSe are
cessarily the instruments Of dcspotisIn.
The Emperor Nicholas is destined to become
lesson TO the world that the unity of all the mate
rial forces of nation, the concentration Of all DO
litical power in one hand. combined with the ener-
gy Of Will inherent IN a character carved from the
living rock, not sufficient preserve and save
from destruction principle subversve Of liberty
morality and the dignity Of humanity that q ma
ton even, still in its infancy, must he ruled in ac-
cordance with the laws of gradual emancipation
and development: that it is impossible TO force
people into . retrograde course, and that no mar
can have power sufficient t. stay the laws Of Pro
y!oeuce in their steady and iialible progress.
At the present moment. after long reign Of
thirty ycnrs, we the Emperor of Russia forced
TO risk all his chances for the future upcn single
card. with al the interests of morality human
progress, material improvement and civilization
against him. Let him suffer one serious defeat
and he is lost!-What has placed him in this
positions Skill 2-Greatuess