Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-11-10
The Progress of Russia.

LIE fTCSTeSS VI hCSsld'
The march of Improvement is more than
ever evident in this colossal empire Rail
roads of immence length are already binding
together distant provinces with their iron
links, and ere many years have passed away,
the fire horse will be the one great locomotive
power between all the great cities, st Peters
burg and Moscow, the two capitals, are rap
idly becoming foci, from which the metallic
ways will radiate towards all parts of Nor
thern Asia and Europe, and it is not improb-
able that, by treaty, gates for trains of cars
will be opened through the famous Chinese
wall, and the traffic of civilization and COM
merce penetrate tho Celestial Empire from its
northern boundary, as it now reaches the i'm
perial ports from the south. Not only is the
Emperor abolishing serfdom, but plans have
| already been devised for the establishment Of
public schools, while the Universities are to
be assimilated to the collegiate institutions of
Germany. Think-but few years ago, lit
tie was known even by maritime nations. of
the Russian towns on the Seas of Ochotsk
aid Kamschatka-yet when, during the Cri-
mean war, an English squadron visited Petro-
paulowski, fortress was found, so complete
and powerful, that an invading and bombar-
ding force was successfully repulsed. The
Emperor deserves nobly of his people At
the present time he is laboring assiduously
and patrioticly to gain victories in peace,
that will prove far more glorious to his reign
than the crimsoned and doubtful laurels OF
war, He is endeavoring to unite all the diff
ferent races Of men in his dominions into one
great family-Tartars, Cossacks, and other
nomadics to be absorbed in the Pansclavonic
element, which at present claims fye-sixths
of the entire population. But let US examine
this difficulty for a moment, and we think oul
readers will agree with US, that it is by nc
meaus insurmountable, especially with a peo-
. pie where Ga few perverse mobiles excepted,
the will of the we'll beloved Sovereign is law.
Russia now contains $4,000, 600 of inhabi
, tants. Of these 5O,O00,O00. are Russians
(Sclavonics } and the remaining 10 900, ,00(
Turks, Tartars, and semi-barbarious tribes
: In religion, 45, 100000 are of the Greek
Church, 10000, 900 of other Christians
5 5000 900 Jews and Mehommedans, and l
500, 900 Pagans. Bnt conversions to thu
Greek faith are constant and numerous. Th,
past growth of the Empire has been wonder
full. Thus, in the reign of Ivan, A. d. Is
: O5. Russia had only 5e4, 200 square miles o
e territory, and 10, 900, 600 of population. Nov
her territories cove- 1900, 900 square miles
C and her people number 60, ,000, 900. Elk
f tending her long arms to the East, since tha
t shs has been prevented from seiziug the Dan
r ubian Provinces, Adrianople, and CONSTANT
e nople as her prey, she moves her knights
: castles, and kingly power on the chess boar
t of the world, to within comparatively shor
Il distance of Pekin, and she reaches with he
i gigantic influences, every tribe of the Caucas
a sian mountains and vallies, gradually pro
e crossing towards the kingdoms of Contra
y Asia and the golden land of British India
y while even on the North American ccntinen
e she is founding colonies and forts of strength
ii 1t will, therefore, be seen that Russia prom
e ises to grow into a vast overshadoWing Powt
|! among the nations, both as regards physics
n and territorial supremacy. while under h,
d present ruler, autocrat though he be, MANI
1t factures, trade, commerce, learning and Il
l. arts are encouraged with noble afiuenc
l. that in one or two moro generations must d
n velop her SKILL industry, and resources to
a extent hitherto undreamed of by her more r
e. fiued and civilized competitors of Southern E
er rope. Great and towering is the mighty G
4 MUS of the North. May the enlightened e
te deavors of Alexander Ii to promote augme
e the comic rt, prosperity, and happiness of
Sc subjects be crowned with triumphant success