Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-12-16
Progress in Russia.

y
exercise Of jastice among men, and
greater harmony between one nation
and another. The greater part Of the
human race have groaned long enough
under institutions, customs and corrup-
tons of the social state, which have
prevented the development of the bet
ter qualities aud nobler attributes Of
humanity, an6 made the earth one vast
picture of wrctchedness and depravity.
That it will not always be thus-that
the human race is destined 10 q far
higher degree of development and en-
joyment, not excepting even our own
favored lands our firmest faith.
In national point Of view, there is
no more striking evidence of progress
than that presented by Russia at the
present moment. This vast empire has
long been classed among the half-civil-
lied or semi-barbarous nations of the
earth. Owing to its isolated position,
its small amount Of navigable sea-coast,
AMI the restrictions of despotic police,
there has been very little intercourse
between Russia and the more enlight-
ened nations of the earth. As natu.
raj consequence, she has been an isolat-
ed empire, seeming to be almost as
hopelessly beyond the ameliorating in
fuence of an enlightened civilization,
as the arctic regions which extend over
so large part of her territory are be-
yond the genial influence of the sun,
But Russia is lifting up her head, anu
we trust will ere long take her placeoin
the front rank of nations. There il
good reason to expect this result under
the present Emperor, whose policy is
great Improvement on that of his
father Nicholas, who had too much
ambition for military conquest; and,
had he lived, his naughty spirit would
probably have kept up the Crimean war
to this day, which would inevitably
have resulted in the ruin of the national
honor and resources. But Alexander
III. had the wisdom to renounce hope
less contest, and turn his attention to
the development Of the internal re.
sources and industry of his empire, and
the promotion of the true welfare of its
population without which nation
cannot be truly great. Peaceful and
successful diplomacy has already won
enough for Russia to counterbalance
her losses in the Crimea, while her late
treaty with China has given her fal
greater accession of power. A vast
system of railways is being carried out
and other great improvements are pro
jected to facilitate navigation and com
merce.
But the greatest improvement-ths
most striking and gratifying evidence
OF progress-is in the efforts that arr
being made by the Emperor to enamel
pate the serfs, who are little better thar
slaves, and who amount to the enor
nous number Of ttcenty-t,co millions
number which is not great ways
from being equal to the entire popula
ton Of the United States. Many of thu
"proprietors" of these serfs are petit,
tyrants, who exercise the right of casti
CATION at pleasure, and are Just abou
as absolute lords as our Southern Dem
ocratic Shareholders. To overcome the
strong prejudices against emancipation
and the numerous obstacles which stanC
in Its way, is no easy task; and wher
1t is accomplishments we doubt not il
will bet will result in greater benefi,
to Russia, and bestow greater honor
upon the Russian Emperor, than the
most brilliant and successful military
campaign; for it has been truly said.
that no moral reform so vast has ever
been undertaken by a monarch.
The Emperor has recently made ad-
dresses on this subject to the mobiles OF
Moscow and Smolensk, which are char
acterized by broad and liberal views.
and are hopeful augury for the desti-
MES OF the great Empire over which
the present young Emperor has been
called to preside. From one of these
addresses we make the following ex-
tract:
" You have now assembled to discuss the
question of the peasants. This reform is indis.
penslole to your happiness--to that of your
seris' and OF all Russia. Take hold of the
matter actively, upon the basis of the princ
pies Enumerated iii my rescript BRING ahout
TINS reform in the manner most conducive IN
the safety OF the peasants. feel assured Won
WIZ not deceive my expectations and that you
VIII JUSTIFY The confidence which 1 repose in
you" -
We might stop here; but we wish 10
add word by way of comparisons
comparison between Alexander II. En-
peror OF Russia, and James Buchanan,
President of the United States-tbe
one engaged in earnest efforts to pro
mote the liberty and elevation of the
down-trodden portion of his empire.
and the other seeking, by every means
which his limited power affords him, to
extend the area of slavery, and then
arguing in defence of his line of policy
in so doing, Which is pursuing the
course most calculated TO win the re-.
spect of mankind, and the appreciation
of posterity? History will not fail to
bestow merited dishonor upon the Pres
ident OF a Republic, whose ambition is