Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-08-06
THE FATE OF POLAND.

When the FIRST npcror Aektnler wis in England II
with great difficulty that he could be made under
stand the nature anl duties OF Parliamentary oppos
ton When it explained him that the members OF
that purity supposed always point the errors
aud deficiencies OF the actu Administrations he rep lied
by simply iaquiriug whether - would both
time and appearances they pointed them out to the
Ministry privately rather than in the face of the Senate
and the world
We doubt that the present Emperor will be of the
opinion hi. grandsre when he reads or has read
to him, the speech delivered by Lord Lynihurs on FL.
day evening" ali, indeed, far any good result is
concerned private conversation with Lord Clarendon
would have bien efectual the eloquent speech in
winch the veteran statesman enlarged the injuries
Poland aud the contumcous conformation of her master
Certainly the subject one which well might warm
the enthusiasm OF one less hearty than Lord Lyndhur.i
There no chapter in the history OF civilized nations
full OF humiliation that which includes the annals Of
Poland The original partition nfamy, but an ia
fanny OF long time ago. The Congress OF Vienna is
more recent event but it, associations with Poland
not less infamous IL promised independent kingdom
free Institutions All these have been wrenchei away by
the representatives of the Monarach who guaranteed
them They all gone; Poland is name; it, sub
stance IS absorbed in Russia The Pole has country
unless he adept Russia and the world i. expected 10
boS with admring homage before the clemency OF the
young Emperor, Who on granting amnesty cloegci
Wlt un1 hhed conditions. appenjs warning which
cludes all hope OF nationality -" Above ALL gentlemen
no illusions No illusions l reward but can al-o
punish"
Terence l. by. II there "A time when the
State OF Europe could have medated prevent the con
summation OF great injury, it iu 1881, when the
western nations still glowing with fever of the
last French revolution when the French Chambers were
enthusiastic for the Independence OF WARSAW and when
by the aid Of moderate force. Dembinsk might have
gwen different turn the fortunes Of his country
the opportunity not seized Toe French Government
We're less in their sympathies than the French ps
pie; aud the English Government unwilling make
denomination against Russia. Nor was the other op-
pOrtunty seized which opened 10y the recent war
A. our friendship fo Russia had formerly prevented So
nov when Ris,a was our foe, allAnce with Austri
again prevented from combining with France 70 restore
their national existence tn the Poles The past indeed
sufficiently clear justify in predicting that whatever
otner events may bring iroth armed Intervention in
behalf OF Polish liberty i Of them We have lost
two opportunities. France, who could have gained more
by them than could has lost them too To us il was
matter o: alone 10 France il was a matter of
Interest and sentiment. barrier against Russia
ne" line OF Offences and defence against Austria source
OF ready recruits from nion historically and intuitivcly
martial such the fruits that France might have reap.
Si IRON AN open aud deliberate championship OF Poland.
But she was content TO iOego them aud what nation
will throw down the glove Ia her behall-wil encounter
the rl'ks OF new war and unsettlement OF Eu-
ropeY
80 much for the material prospects Of the case Ii j.
hard thing 10 write aud cruel thing 20 ponder OIL but
the nat seems % have gone forth that for Poland there
no resurrection She i numbered with the dead a ma.
ton aud she appear on earth in the seen.
tired spendor Of her former greatness But while we re-.
cord this with sympathy for the sOrro~s pronptd bv
sad fail do not think the destiny wholly unmerited
or wholly nnmiugtted. The judgments Of history are gen.
ereily just judgments The life Of nation outives tb,
lite Of mtu, aui in it, circuit compartments that retri.
i've award which i seldom mcted the career of an
individual bad reacherous cowarlly man NAV 20 10
the grave IN the penude Of wealth aud character good
brave, honest die suied a. repuation aud IA
ed IN ortnne The right reward too late for each
Not 80 with nation II eudures for many gene atoms
IL creates future for ITSELF and coos that future with ia
own character IL reaps what it has sown il receives
What 1t has earned. Can any one, looking back to the
past venture % ay that the present condition Of Poland
out Of keeping With IT. anteceden hi-tOryY What WIS
independent Poandf nation governed by an ari-tocrn
g, brave indeed aud chivalrOus but di.unted faction.
and tyranncal depressing their serfs and selling then
elected monlrchs Had Poland been united PEG
pie she might have been what Russia il now IL is not
80 many centuries back since TO any Thoughtful mind Pc
land must have presented chances Of prosperity
strength greatness aud empire than the rude uncv
led huscovy whose name hardly known n the court
OF southern aud Western Europe The Polish natoi,
which mpersonaed the energy Of the pure Slave blood
alternately dcspiscd and repocd the rival aspiration. ID
TOE barbaous Russians, whom 10 reducing int
dependence. The reversal of doom which seemed 4.
certain must be ascrbfd which have continue,
70 influence the fortunes Of the two kindred but anago
nstic peoples ever siuce A IL 20 action Of m
dvidna freedom that the long superiority Of the Idthua
Man nation due, IL IL TO the vgor Of political or
griifaton that the origin and consolidation Of Rus-ia
power due The Poles great In dispite Of therim
perfect institutions the Russians became great by vfr
OF institutions created for them. AZ the versatility con
ragc aud capacity Of the Poles have survived the fan
that weak government which carried the seeds Of disuu
ton IN ~ lrm~, the scheme Of the Russian autocrnc
has knitted together the heterogeneous materials hc
make up The Russian empire and IN this will probably b
found The best hope Of the Polish people Incapable q
agreeing smong themselves ard establishing nations
government on the basis Of harmony and patriotic sefd,
NAL they yet guide aud govern empire which cor
tans uorr elements Of Identity and attraction than d
similarity and fepnlsion Unable 20 be a people then
srTes, they be- the leaders Of another but as
people Unable 70 submit " the seiimpOsod terms Of
icc constitution, they may temper aud mould the govern
ment Of Sovereign whose ambition IL bOundlcss
empire and whose empire dePeDds upon the abilities ao
vaor Of those whom be employs Ancient Greece avenee
the spo OF Cornth by rearing the splendors Of the Gao
tol aud introducing the graces of domestic ie into Rom
Modern Grecc.s avcnging slavery compared with Whc
that 0 Poland u perfect Freedom by the silent and eel
tain suhiagaon II Moscm pride ignorance aud indolenc
20 Christian knowledge, industry, aud skill The Shirl
GIG Of tine brings about ts revenges and IN their
nay b. rcscrVcd for the Poles. vaEqushed natoues
and dependent 10 repair the wrongs 81 country whie
coud rrnsn free because " would not fcnain Hnite
by giving a. their conqucror councillors Who will u,
Usnsl,f ust services iorcign court, Ike Waicwsk
and SOLDER sho ~i their against their
tatherland, hks fAskicwitsch.