The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-03-11
A REMARKABLE SCENE IN RUssIA-THE
ABOLITION OF sERFDOM.

A banquet took place at Moscow on the 9th
of January, in honor Of the proposed emanci.
patton of the serfs. One hundred and eighty
persons we're present, and the first toast was
the Health of the Emperor" This ELECTED
speech from M. Pauloff, which we subioin:
Gentlemen: A new spirit animates us
new era has commenced. Heaven has allowed
US to live long enough to witness the second
regeneration OF Russia. Gentlemen, we may
congratulate ourselves, for this movement is
one of great Importance. We breathe more
like Christians, oar hearts beat more nobly. end
tDe may look at the light of hedUen 10Th clear.
err eye. We have met to-day to express our
deep and sincere sympathy for a holy and praise
worthy work, and zoe meet toHhOut any nervous.
ness to mar our rejoicing. Yes, gentlemen,
repeat ia new spirit animates US, a new era
has commenced. One of our social conditions
is on the eve of a change. If we consider it in
past light we may perhaps admit that it was
necessary that it should have been allowed to
be as it was, from the want of better admin
istrative organization, and of the concentration
in the hands of the Government of the means
which have since given 30 great development
to the power of Russia But acIdt aods mo.
mentarily gained TO the State sodS lost TO man
Order soithout, anarchy oittil, and the cOndi-
tion Of the indioidual cast its shadoW oUer so.
ciety at large.
The Emperor has struck at the roots of this
evil THE glory and prosperity Of Russia can
not rest upon institutions based on injustice and
talsehood. No these blessings are henceforth
to be found in the path thrown open by him
whose name Russia pronources with respect
and pride. The Emperor hes ceded this great
reform, which he might have accomplished by
his own powerful will, by asking the mobiles to
take the initiative. Let US, then, hail this noble
idea, inspired by the sole wish for the welfare
of his people, with that enlightened heartiness
which may now be expected from Russia
Let rs not, however, suppose that the path
traced by history is an avenue of roses, without
thorns. This would be sheer ignorance When
a new, a more moral Christian state of things
is about to be established, the obstacles that
will have to be encountered must OF be taken
into consideration, except with the hope that
the torrent of the new life will sweep them
away. The change an the economical! condition
of our national existence ,oiU arouse our indi-
vtdudt energies, the aodnt of aohich IS one of
our greatest coils. Let US wish, then, gentle.
men, from our innermost heart, long life to
him who has marshalled his faithful Russia to
the conquest of truth and justice. Let us hope
that this great idea will comprise the generous
sentiments of the man and the Christian.
Several other eminent persons delivered ad.
dresses, and the sentiment, expressed, general
ly, were liberal and enlightened.
AKENTUCKY ANEcDoTE.-A Southern gentle.
man owned a slave, very intelligent fellow,
who was Universalist. On one occasion he
illustrated the intellectual character of his rei.
gion in the following manner: A certain slave
had obtained a license of the Bapists, to preach.
He was holding forth in the presence of many of
his colored brethren at one time, when he under.
took to describe the process of Adams creation.
Said he, "When God made Adam, he stoou
down, scrape up little dirt, wet it q little.
warm it little in de hands, and squeeze it in
de right shape, and den lean it up agains. de
fence to dry"-"Top dar !" said our Univer.
salist darkey; "you say dat ar de fustest man
cher nader" "Sartenl" said the preacher.