The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-22
ID. c..
Foreign Sffairs.
APOLOGIES FOR RUSSIA EXAMINED.

7, vould appear that the Emperor of Russia,
though welding unlimited power over his sub
;.c,s has in the present state of affairs, deem
al i prudent TO lay before their eyes Justlil-
cation of his Government. AT least, something
vsry ike an apology, or defence OF the Gar,
has lately appeared at St. Petersburg, from
The pen of Professor Zelenzki, who can certain
" not be supposed to have issued 1t without
ling authorized to do so Auspicious omen !!
7, .bows that the Autocrat acknowledges that
there i some force in ppblic opinion even
among his enslaved people.
The article Of Zelenzki being rather long, /
Will extract from it what deem of general in
terest and worthy of especial notice:
Russia says Zelenzki, is strong, in vir-
the Of the sacred flames of obedience and love
which animate her toward her illustrious ruler,
the Lords anointed. Her sons believe firmly
IN the evangelical truth, that the heart of the
Gar is under the control of God, and that
God speaks through the mouth of the Gar, in
4. lkat concerns the exercise of the imperial
power. Russia has, under the Government of
the rulers who in virtue of divine appointment
have conducted her affairs, become so mighty
a. to awaken the jealousy and apprehension of
the West, which hence has been induced to at
tack her-not, however, in the open and bold
manner Of that evil genius, (Napoleon,) who
at the head Of twenty different nations once in
yad.i her territory, but by cunningly devised
surprise. Still, Russia remains the only exist
ing shield and protection of religious and civil
order; and she has, especially during the last
ihrty years, proved this to be the fact. With
rap.d steps she has advanced towards the ac-
compishment of her glorious destiny, in pro-
noting the unity of her religion, of her lam
guage Of her laws, and of her private and pub
lie relations, while Strengthening the founda-
lions Of civil and domestic order.
The present great Emperor has united the
Western Russia with the mother church has
provided his Empire with laws that are wise,
accessible to all, and extended throughout the
whole country; has rendered New Russia
thorough and real Russian, in spite of this
province being inhabited by many foreign ma
tonalites and has introduced an altogether
Russian education everywhere, by bringing
about complete reformation of the systems
which were previously prevailing at the public
universities, colleges, and schools, and among
private families. These and many others are
the benefits he has conferred upon Russia in
her internal relations. No less beneficial and
praiseworthy has his Government been with re-
gard to the foreign affairs of Russia. By ap-
Pearing in 1929, sword in hand, before STAN
boul, he reduced Turkey-that sore on Chris
tian Europe-to a Power of the third rank a
year later, he suppressed the deplorable at
tempt Of the conspirators of Warsaw, at recov-
erog the independency of Poland, and creating
aSource Of many embarrassments to Europe ;
and in 1919 he crushed the Hungarian revo-
luton, which threatened the whole West with
anarchy and mob rule"
Professor Zelenzki concludes his apology or
panrgyric Of the Emperor Nicholas with the af.
hrnatlon, that combination of all the West
en Powers against Russia, the only remaining
bnI"ark of conservative principles, would meet
with no success and as to those States of the
West engaged in the present uniustifiable in
Vaslon Of the Russian territory, they are des-
tined at last to receive what is due to them"
None can with any show of truth deny that
Russia has made a remarkably rapid progress
IN the development of her material resources,
ana IN the increase of her territory and power !;
hHi we 10 not hence gather any evidence that
'he means which her rulers have employed in
omplishing these results have been autho-
i-'d or looked upon with favor by Heaven.
Va the contrary, knowing that these means
have frequently been INSCRIPTIONS, deceitful,
Violent, inhuman, the insinuation of their be-
ing practiced in virtue of divine influence can
n'' be viewed in any other light than that of
bIa''aemy.
do not intend to dispute the assertion that
Inc Russian monarchs of the House of Roman
Oh hay" generally conducted their Govern
Di'Ii'' IN way beneficial to Russia, or to de-
""o' The least from their claims, so Car, to the
gratitude Of the Russian people but feel just
HE'D IN Affirming that Professor Zelenzki has
made bold attempt at classifying history, in be-
Slowing SO unqualified praises, as he has done.
upon those princes collectively, and upon the
present Gar Individually.
Passing over in silence the crimes of the
other Russian rulers of the Romanoff family.
will proceed to speak of some of the enormi-
hes which sully the Government of the En-.
loror Nicholas, and which prove that neither
uae claims of justice, nor the voice of humanity.
Lor The commands of religion, hare had the in
Aaen'e Of retaining him from employing the
most atrocious means, in executing his plans
'' strengthening and aggrandizing Russia, of
!'"Soiidating the imperial power, of suppress
ing the principles of freedom, and of satisfying
Ms own ambition and bigotry.
Professor Zelenzki boasts of the Emperor
~" hoias uniting the Western Russia with the
'"''her church that is, of his compelling the
inhabitants of that province, who mostly be-
',nsed to the sect Of the Unionists, to embrace
,'s ureek creed. But the imperial panegyrist
has forgotten to allude to the terrible persecu-
IONS by which this in itself nowise laudable
.Jec' was obtained, and the shocking details
winch at one time filled Europe with the
O7sPest sympathy with the victims, and the
s'eA'eSt Indignation against the bigoted tyrant
NAT had caused those who would not at his
Command change their faith, to be treated in
,De most barbarous and pitiless manner. Ze-
'cu1N has forgotten to tell us that venerable
O.u bishops and other clergymen we're beaten
WIN rods, imprisoned, and almost starved that
f,Ous nuns were publicly logged and abandon.
- 70 the unbridled lost of licentious soldierv.
'V'auSe they obeyed the voices of their con-
sciences, refusing to embrace a creed which
'y ueemed false; and that those of the Union