Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-11-24
RUSSIA IN ASIA--A HISTORIC PARALLEL.

RUSSIA IN ASIA--A HISTORIC PARALLEL
| The attitude Of Russia on the stage Of European
affairs has engaged the attention, to the eSc!usl" OF
all interest in its relations with the continent of Asia
Yet il is upon this theatre that Russia appears in lls
most imposing character, with tho highest claim TO
the notice and applause of mankind The part which
Russia plays in the politics of Europe, though un-
doubtcdly commanding, is that ofa Power absorbed IN
the intrisues Of diplomacy, disputinG about matters
oi mere dynasc concern and contcndlnS ior ao'an-
tascs which affect the great interests OF humanity
slightly OF not all. In Asia, on the contrary NUS
sin enacts the r6le Of Couqueror und M!SsionaTy-oo
lerating ancient landmarks, subvertiug tocrng dy-
nastics, severing by a stroke relations which have
subsisted for centuries breaking up autquatcd sys.
tems aud pouring the ideas and energy Of christian
civilization into the dark and mouldy caverns Of cf-
fetc Plagiarism.
In the direction of the East tho Of Russian
conquest has been rapid and constant Within the last
year, while its energies thought to be absorbed III
projects of European ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, has torn an
immense province from the dominion of China and
appropriated all island from thesovercgnty of Japan
This vast accession of territory, provoked by some
interruption OF Russian trade has opened highway
across the continent of Asia and brought the pres
sure of European energy, to bear upon the henrt of
the Chinese Empire. And thus will England and
Russia, impclled by their characteristic instincts of
commercial expansion and military conquest; the one
moving from the South northward, and the other
from the North toward tho South; each in its pccu-
liar way but By the common agency of arms-thus
will these two nations, engaged i'll deadly strife.
L. pIup Asin
from the crushing thral,!om of buddhism aud Man
darnism and make ii the theatre Of the last triumph,
Us il was the Of hcnant struggles of humanity
If any one is disposed to regard this thought us the
vision Of an optmist let him consult the page OF his
tory and in the remote past he will find parallel 10
the career and mission of modern RUSSIA.
No doubt the Asutic expedition Of Alexander
the Great, was regarded by the wise .ncn md
prophets OF thut day, as nothing more thHn the
foolish forav of crazy soldier, in search OF
adventure and glory. And, perhaps there are
some persons now, who read history with 40 lii
tie intelligence aud reflection, to conclude ,hnt
i'll the fatal banquet of Babylon were cxtinguished
all the consequence and glory of Alcxander's c1s-
tence. Wasi; so! Does the conquest Of Asi" by Al
cxanier, for nothing with the phiosophic stu
dent of history! Was the buttle Of Arbcla IN abor
ton and n nullity,
Alexander found the condition of Asia very much as
il is AT the presen; day. sagnan cie barren, hopeless
IA system OF wrinkles and bones, without blood or
life. One universal despotsm and ono pcrvadin- |
type OF religion and society, crushed every aspiration
and energy under their dcadcning sway BY the
shock OF battle Asia WAS reused from lis supor. l;
snittcn with the sword, and the young blood OF
Hellenic life infused into its exhausted syscn.
It's mouldy traditions replaced by the ideas and
hopes Of IL living and fruitful civilization. Trans
planted 20 its soil the Greek mind. just then at lie
hicLcs, culture shone with extraordinary spendor.
Cities were founded commerce created, the art.
literature hOurished in short. the whole
face OF Asia was changed, and exhibited, instead OF
the palar of death, tho flush and energy Of renewed
s., ,ity, and among the Asatc colonies "mch .''e1'h-
der Ind plunted the Gospel found its re"dicst recep-
,;or And when Europe was cnvcl'pcd III the gloom
,.hc m.dinyal barbarsm the philosophy" Aristotle
,r IN. arts and letters Of classic Gr"'ccwtFe carried
by Saracen conoues, Spain, and there hlhded the
,,;.s, ravs of the dawnng literature "t the "es'.
Thus did Asia repay its obligation 10 Europe" and thus
did the ill;Lus,cr" expedition Of Alexander c"ntr'
hr;c 70 the glory Of modern crillz"t'"n'
European conquest is again pouring fresh Hie anu
,r.v into the worn out nationali;lcs OF Asa, ana
Erssisi is foreinos: i'll the work.