The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-08

lfTeD essa o he Ec)noUsts Beige (of JOY ls FOR he
Yokk RER.rn1

iilV0ftInts
has taken place 10 the politics OF Russia. During
the reign of Nicholas that policy had-as IL is well
known-tbe double character of being warlike and
ultra conservative. II has now become q great
extent, peaceful and progressive. The En-
yrtUr Nicholas preferred rather 30 be engaged
~ eX'~rral than internal affairs. Impressed
with he IDEAS Of conquest aud domination OF
81 tn poilficans OF the old school, he thought
ria tlc oest Mcans 70 contribute TO the grandeur
hur m. lfo-i rn'v II Russia 10 incre iss in au
ncti'+ the extent of her territory, as also
~ exercise a ptep1nderdtng influence on European
politics During thirty years he followed that
douhl' aim What has he attained? To raise against
Russia frghtul coalition, and thus 10 show.
more the incurahe s.erility Of that old policy of
war and domination Of which he was the most iuve-
terate and the most energetic representative. His
successor has had the wisdom 70 understand that
the moment had come 10 discontinue the tradi-
ticns OF the past and TO enter upon new
course. After having honorably concluded the
Eastern war, he has coursgeousy undertaken
to reform the bad institutions and the administrative
abuses which retard the prosperity OF she popula'
lions OF his immense empire. Under the influence
al that new spirit, important modlhcat'ons nave
been introduced into the tariff 20 the great benefit
cf trade, and even OF industry The government has
after wards epdeavored 10 reduce the bulk OF paper
currency, which dcpreciated the circulation, the
amount Of which was at The beginning Of last year
large $50 2s0 900 silver rubles (2,1J7 900 900
fyancs) Sixty millions of rubles have just been
withdrawn and burnt, and that will not be all.
ahe government intends also TO abandon entire
iy ,he working of the mines and give up
the other hand il is Investigating the administrative
and judiciary reforms. II has already begun with
the first in making it rule to reduce, as much as
possible, the number of employees and TO increase
their salaries The second is in fair way: the rou-
tine is yet opposed TO the introduction of publicity
in the debates; but the routine will he conquered
and the light brought into the sanctuary of the law
will chase away venality and corruption. Finally,
still more important reform than the lat
ter. the abolition of serfdom, which presses
two thirds Of the population of Russia,
has become object of favor with every one.
As may be seen, this is question of economical and
social transformation, not less complete deep than
that which the reforms OF 1889 wanted To introduce
into France, more complete aud deeper even,
for serfdom did not exist in the France of 1879.
II may then be understood that such work is sur
rounded by all kinds Of difficulties. On side, the
government which has SO courageously undertaken
n, is obliged to struggle against the coiserrateurs-
bornec. with whom all the science OF government
solves itself into mmobility, and who believe firmly
that the old buildings would fall if they
never to be repaired On the other side, again.
the impotence of nation whose lively and ever
changing manners admit of an analogy with those
Of the French, is to be compressed. 10 is necessary
10 avoid inaugurating reforms which are not pre-
pared and ripe enough, and be able TO resist the ebu
Gtons of the public mind rather than TO throw
self unconsciously into the unknown. The Russian
government is however, admirably supported aud
aided by the intelligent and enlightened portion of
fbe population. Notwithstanding the imped
ments with which the diffusion of moral aud
political science has met for so long time
a.
and have largely aided TO give a healthy aud
nselul direction TO public opinion The political
eeo soniy taught in the Russian universities while
il was thrown aside from the programme Of public
instruction in tue countries of Quesuay, of Target
and Of j. b. Say, has preserved the youth from the
alterations of socialism. And let il not be believed
that the enlightened classes form only nsgnif- |
cant minority in Russia. No; II We have to Judge |
from the number of newspapers aud periodicals
which are now published in that country, and are
particularly devoted 10 questions of political
economy as well as by the success obtained
by the works written on economical fiaan-
cial and administrative matters Russia possesses
Ma proportion, "a many enlightened aud progressive
minds as any other nation of Europe-England
alone, perhaps excepted. The government may
then find efficient concurrence in that enlightened
class which ncreases daily in numbers and in inhu
epce. IL is sincerely devoted 10 tire government
and has the warmest desire TO see the success of
the work which has been commenced by il. Let |
II frankly rely tina, class which viii furnish the
young and energetic men needed tOi the success |
of its contemplated reforms; let il be con. |
WINGED of that truth. OF which the most |
ignorant manufacturer is aware, that II is |
not possible 70 make looms work we'll !
with the mechanics who worked the old ones; that
new systems, as a new machinery, require new men.
Let not the Russian government make the mistake |
of cntrusting the work Of reforms TO the partzans
of the old routine systems; let II not make the still
more serious mistake of refusing the help Of the \
light which flows from liberty Of discussion; let Il \
allow every one 20 examine aud freely discuss those
measures which interest every one, and before a few
Alexander IT, has taken the useful and generous mi
fiatve viii be achieved; Russia will have gone from
the old 10 the system without revolution and |
nearly without CONFUSION.
The abolition of serfdom is the capital reform
OF that ensemble OF reforms which are deeply to
modify the economical and social state OF Rassia.
The following statistical details which will
enable 10 appreciate all the importance thereof
One may says Mr.. Tegoborski. classify the Russian
cultivators into the two following categories:-
I-rEAsASTs BOUND TO LABOR ny ooRvss.
Male Population IN 1885,
Ser peasants belonging 20 private citizens 1876 l6l
Peasants attached 20 the grounds Of the
Odnodvorsty family ....,..........-. IO,97s
Increase of population up 10 lsls 90 per
een) Observation-Disclosures. lOs0,7l3
Total amount. ..................... IL ,sss,1s
To be deducted according 10 an approx
NATIVE calculation, 10000 peasants
who will have passed, in the space Of
ten years from the state Of serfs 70 that
Of free cutivators .................. 10000
Leaving .............................. ll,7ss,ls2
Peasants belonging 10 the Crown in the
Western governments in lsls ....... 100000
Total amount .......................ll II, 93s ,ls2
n.-cuLrrvAroEs NOT subJycvEp TO rur oosvEr.
Male population IN ls3s.
Free peasants. ........................ ASH |
Odnodvorsty ....................... 1861 .S33
Peasants Of the mail .................. 4l.Go6 |
Do OF the appanagee. ........... 7O0.Js7 /
Together NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 2,1T7,36O |
Increase OF population during ten years 2l7,5SO |
Total amount Observation-Disclosures. 1886 900 l
Paysants. tax payers (ccnsitoires) Of the
Grown in iSls ...'............-..... o.2Oa. 200 |
Colonists Of the estate Of the Crown 14G,550
Peasants who have passed since 1893.
from the state of serfs to that of free
cultvators, according 20 an approxima
tive calculation ...........'......... 10000
lutai auOuhl ..sss...s.s. ......... III ,yOU.slJ
Those figures concern only the male population
subjected 20 the obligations and the several duties
constituting serfdom. According 70 various es-
inmates. wirch have been made early as 1896.
there were in Russia a. .4l2.503 scrfs OF the two
~exes OF which 234s7 O07 were malesand "a 22l lss
females. More than tTothirds Of thSpopualion OF
the Russian empire are therefore, submitted TO that