Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-11-21
sERFDOM IN RUSSIA.

We recently stated that Alexander II. of Russia
is determined, in compliance with the beneicent
genius of the to emancpae the sers Of his En-
pre SO far MS circumstances viii allow. Alexander
|. and Nicholas both cherished the same idea, both
recoiled from its realization. The iron will of Mich
olas bent and yielded to what considered by
his advisers the impregnable difficulties of the
scheme, or the menaces it presented to the nobility
the throne and the peace Of the nation. Russian
imperialism has been defined despotsm temper.
ed by assassination how far dread Of the good
old rule Of quietly putting the sovereign out of
the way when his measures were particularly dis.
tatcful to the nobility, may have restrained Mich.
olOs i'll his emancipation project, is Of course
known, but that his son and successor is not
controlled by such fears is certain.
The unchangeabie resolve as regards Emauci
patton is taken. Some considerable time since,
commission, presided over by the Grand Duke
Con stautine, appointed to elaborate suitable
project The iabors Of this body must be cautious
and well pondered, the relations between the serfs
and their masters are manifold and complicated va.
rying, according to divers traditional customs and
the domestic and local eXigences of the different
regions through which this gigantic Empire extends
Divergent interests- nay, mor0--hostili.es are 20
be concated. The nobility possess not only the
serts, but likewise the soil. The problem to be
solved - not only 10 restore human rights
to the serts ,bUt to eudOw them at with home.
steads, which, OF course, are to Oe cut Out Of the
land owned hitherto exclusively by their masters.
The latter are thus not only dcpTS ed Of the capital
represented by the seris, but kewise Of permanent
llborers for the future working Of the fields. To
this loss said, is to lie added that of lands to
be transformed into homesteads for the new free.
men. 1t can be easily understood how the mass of
the nobility might be apprghensve Of their future
condition. Undoubtedly, tis revusion in the in.
ternal husbardTy Of the Empire may occasion
losses, though the appreciation Of the value land
upon the manumiss!Cn of serfs IS inevitable. The
ultimate results Of emancipation will prove
beneficial socially and economically, to both nobil.
ity and peas0ntry; hut at the start, and dur
ing the years oC transition the mobiles will at least
consider themselves the exclusive losers. Their
whole agricultural system must undergo moral
and technical change,
The existing Commission receives proposals from
all sides. The nobility submit their opinions the
majority admitting the necessity Of emancipation,
tnt differing infinitely as to the mode. One of the
cardinal objections is, that the soil and tie climate
Gf many nOrjboin countries being less susceptible
Of culture, the emaucipated soris might abandon
those regions and settle in the moro fertile proyin.
ces. for instance, in central and southern Russia,
between the DEeiper, the Wolca, and the Don,
forming an immense and rather thinly peopled area
OF wheatands of inexhaustable fertility. The
Commission intended in most cases to abandon the
settlement Of the question to the interested parties
the serf and the master, the principle of offer
and demand. The homestead IN Russia proper is
to consist Of between thirtytve and forty acres
Tho mode Of compensation for the losst estate in
labor and land is to he the subject of mutual ar
rangement. Where no such arrangement is posi-
bic by mutual understanding, Board of Commits
sioners will mediate as was done in Prussia and
settle drinitiveIy tho amount and nature Of COM
pensation This compensation is to be raid at
once or by instaments, at the will of the parties
not extending, however, over thirty years; and so
long the debt is not paid, the peasant shall not
be allowed TO abandon his homestead. Such is a
general outline Of the project devised i. is said by
the Commission, and which is to be submitted
with various other details, to the decision of the
Emperor so soon as he reaches the Capital on his
return from his European tour.
Bussa proper is alone affected by this measure
In Poland, forming the relics Of the kingdom ere
ated by the Treaty of Vienna 10 1875 the peasant.
ry were emancipated at the beginning Of this CEN
tury by the Prussan dominion and subsequently, by
the Code of Napoleon. But an immense majority
OF the emancipsted then got no homesteads aud do
not now possess them and thus depend on the
pleasure Of the landowners Alexander III has
decreed that the land owners, mostly mobiles, shall
give homesoads to their tenants Of laborers. This
decree is already in operation. The parties are to
come TO settlement by mutual agreement
and if in the course Of five years no such agree.
ment should be made. then the Govcrumsnt will in
terlerc and decide, For ten years to come, these