The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-06-09
sERF EMANCIPATION N RussrA.-The

measures OF the Emperor Tor the aboll |
ton OF villainags in Russia, arc being
carried out with energy and success
seriaom is confined to old Russia. In
tho Baltic provinces the serls were en-
franchised by Alexander the first. In
eiberia, the institution has never existed
Out Of the flfty departments into which
ancient Russia is divided, thirty OF them
have signifled their assent to the lmpsri.
al wishes, and the others are preparing
FOR. the adoption of the same measures.
Six months are allowed for the settle>
msnt of the preliminary arrangements
between the proprietors and ssris. Each
agricultural serf is to have portion Of
ground allotted to him at givenlprice,
for which he is to pay in labor; and
though released from slavery he is to re.
main attached to the soil of the proprie-
tor until the last pay .nent Of the land is
made the term of which is not to exceed
twelve years. seaa
The nobility have acceded to the wish
O. Of the government more readily than
was expected. But an opposition has
arisen where it was least expected. The
serfs themselves have, in some Of the
provinces, arisen against the proposed
act of emancipation as an injury rather
than o boon. Ssrflom in Russia is
very different institution from the an
cisnt villianass Of Western Europs.-
Ancient Russia was once governed by
local institutions almost purely Demo
cratic. The shadow Of these Is still
preserved in the villages, oil Of which
form communities. and ara governed by
customs that have preserved ths form
and spirit Of the old democracy, even
among the scrfs. Each village elects its
own elders. and common council. who
manage the whole basin:ss of the little
community. They select the recruits
that are levied for the army-apportion
the taxss-and collect the rents Of the
sig,ssur, betwesn whom they are the me-
dunn Of communication-proiscting one
and enforcing the legitimate rights of the
other. The peasants themselves, at leas,
on the larger estates, have no immediate
connection whatever with the s;gneur
whom in many cases they have never
seen, and whose name they hardly know
In every emergency they apply to the
elders and common council, who, being
elected by themselves, are Of course com
posed OF such members oil the community
rs have acquired the confidence Of the!I
nsighbors by superior sagacity, or what
passes for such in this simple and patri-
archal state of society. The land they
cultivate belongs indeed to the signsGr
but In the same manner IS the feuda
lords held the lands of Western Europe
It's true the Russian peasant is at
tachsd 10 the soil, which he cannot lsav
without the permission Of the ownsr
but this hs easily obtains through tn
intermediation of his Elders the noble
man having no possible interest 10 refus
II as long as he continues receiving tn
o6rock, or ground rent, for which tn
whole commune is answerabls, togethe
with Communication tax for the labor
which tho serf is bound to perform o
his lords private estate. According {
the change in this system, contemplate
by the reform now undor consideration
the peasant, in exchange for his persons
freedom, is to pay certain fixed sur
for the land he cultivates on his ow
hook, and then to buy of the compuls'
~ labor on his masters terms. The
homssteads have been theirs from tin
immemorial. They do not understar
why they should now be made to pay
them. They are told that by paying
them they will be relieved forever. ire
ths rent they have heretofore paid.
But the Russian peasant does not 10
Ear into the future. and the prospect
future relief does not console him for
present sacrifice. And then, be says,
he is unable to pay the money dsman
cd, be will DO free to be sure, but he "
b. houselcss and homeless; his form
master may eject him from his Gotta
% the Irish landlords do their unfor'
nate tenaats, and he will be left to sta
IN all the dignity of freedom.
At Kovno, the government trot
were called IN to suppress the rebsll
Of the ssrfs against the proceedings
their emancipation. slrgH
or The Indianapolis State Jour
recommends the Republicans Of the
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