The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-10-25

the loyalty of the aristocracy. Resolute and i'm
perous as he was, the danger seemed TO him too
great TO be confronted openly But while he felt
that he dared not overtum deeply rooted
feudal institution with the strong hand, he seized
every occasion that presented itself TO sap its foun
dations. He encouraged among his mobiles pas
| sion for splendor and prodigality, and when they
became incumbered with debts and difficulties.
arising from their extravagant mode of living, he
purchased their estates, under decree declaring
'that no owner of serfs should for the future, be
''allowed to sell them without making the first
''ofer to the Emperor" By this means an i'm
mense number of estates and many thousands of
serfs became the property of the Crown: while the
feudal power, which had in more than one in
stance, proved itself too strong to be resisted even
by monarch nominally so absolute as the Car.
became, in process of time, sensibly weakened. So
far, then, the late autocrat had paved the way for
the introduction of the grander measure of social
reform, which ALEXANDER II. is, at this time at
tempting to carry into effect. How doubtful the
fate OF this momentous experiment is NAV be con-
ceived from the fact that in his journey to Warsaw
he has already had occasion to address himself to
the serfowners Of the provinces through which he
passed, sometimes in terms of warm commenda-
ton, but sometimes also, in language of deep re-
proach. He complains that the Committees ap-
pointed to report upon the best means of regu-
lating the new condition of the peasantry through
out the Empire in manner conducive to the
common interests of all classes, have not displayed
the vigorous activity that was expected of them
To the mobiles of the government of Tver. who
H., o1,o- IL
matter, he expresses hope that they will yet Justify
his confidence. He thanks the mobiles of Mini
Novogorod for their alacrty in anticipating his
wishes. To those of Moscow he speaks with sharp
ness and decsiou-yet he tempers his rebuke with
mildness-"It is not" he says, Gin my nature to
speak against my conscience. l always speak
''the truth, and to my great regret this day can
''not thank you. Two years ago told you that
"the laws which regulate servitude must be re-
formed, and that the reform must come from
"above, lest 1t should come from 6eloo My words
''have been ill understood. Iexpected, l confess,
''that the nobility of Moscow would have been the
''frst to answer my appeal. But they figure
"neither in the first, nor in the second nor in the
"third rank. have fixed for you the bases of the
"reform, and l shall never swerve from them"
So passed he on his journey, now dealing out
praise, now venting his dispeasure. But 'already
'fears are entertained that the opposition of the
mobility will prove too strong for the young
"Czar," and that he may may lose his life if he
persists in attempting to carry out his benevolent
design. 1t is said, moreover, that he is deficient
in that sternness of purpose which was one of his
fathers most remarkable characteristics and it is
noted as sign of his yielding temper, that he has
already extended the period previously set for the
convocation of the proposed assembly of mobiles at
st. Petersburg. Matters evidently do not work
well. The pride of the old Russian aristocracy
opposes itself to so sweeping measure of reform.
The rural magnates reluctant to be stripped
of their local influence, even at the bidding of a
Gar who holds them in the hollow of his hand,
and can dispose of their persons and their property
at his pleasure. Ten days ago the congress of
mobiles was to have met at the capital. This, of
ITSELF is an innovation upon old usages, and various
opinions are expressed with regard to the conse-
quences that may flow from it. Few, however,
are disposed to believe that the deliberations of the
delegates will be either productive of advantage to
the serfs, or will tend in any material degree, to
promote the object for which they have been espe-
cially convoked