Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-05-17
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HE PROGRESS OF RussIA .-Tba ,o,o.,
ment OF Russia has been described ss on u
soiute desFotism, tempered BY asssssinations
Inc name OF Car has been synonym of the
greatest cruelty which the world has seen
since the days Of Nero and Caligula. me
court mas been pictured as an sssemblaee of
piotters, PRISONERS, and murders. The iost
Ioh1 20 Sloeria has been supposed to be filed
with sledges, which were hurryinO blindfoid-
ed political prisoners away to the dentbs Of
horrible dungeons aud gloomy mines. whsra
the hght OF the sun never greeted their wsa.
~ eyes, and the voice of kindness never
cheerea tner responding hearts. The great
mass OF the inhabitants were regarded as lit
ne better than terocious beasts. who ware
doomed to hopeless servitude in time of neace.
and were terrible as the followers Of AtfiIa
when let loose in time Of war to rayapp the
ciViiized states of the continent. We have
seen the good housewives shudder with hoy-
TOT ana disgust as they told how the dirty.
nan Gao Cossaeks, who were quartered in
thelr houses during the wars against Bona
PHt'e, usea 70 squat around the FIRE and de-
YOUR tallow candles as u coveted luxury Tba
worthy old ladies, with their vivid recoliec.
tions Of these wild horsemen. rareiv fsiIed ~
| conclude that all Russians were denominations.
upon cancellations scarcely more wise were
our IDEAS OF Russian life and institutions
ROUNDED before the Crimean war. We had
very li'.ie exact knowledge about the great
0cisFohle empire, and therefore, in accordance
VIZ. VIZ, tue ola Roman adage, that whatever is
unknown is considered wonderful. we had
exaggerated notions of its weaknesses and its
resources. 1t was not without vague feafss
that the nations Of Western Europe saw this
mighty power increasing day by day. Ex-
'ehuing Itself across the whole continent,
s!retching away to the very shores Of the Pa
enc, ana crossing over to the soil Of Ameri-
co. II nung IN the East like mysterious, por-
een'ous ciouo' from which the floods of de-
ilzed world. a,sas II -. Q = II
In the Crimean war the strength Of Russia
was measured. The cannonading at Sevas.
ttoPoi dlsPelled the mist which had so long
nung over the land, Her true condition was
t l tuily disclosed both to herself and to the
rest OF the world. Conseq uentiy, while her
power never commanded more real respect
tnan It does at present, her Emperor has
challenged the admiration of the world by the
generous and manly policy which he has
iound 1t best TO adopt. He sees that the time
mas come when national prosperity does not
oepend upon military greatness alone. He
mas mas, lne,eiore diminished the enormous army
WIN which Nicholas burdened the country.
ne mas thTownotf many restrictions, which
haa oeen laid upon trade. He has insugura-
yea measures to strengthen and multiply com
merclal relations with other States. But the
greatest and boldest innovation which he has
attempted, is the emancipation of the serfs.
MS daring predecessor did not venture to IN.
oertake 1t, yet the movement seems to be pro-
| gtessing with entire success. 1t was Violent
| y opposed innumerable obstacles were in
Tue way out, SO far as we can learn, the
| "ousratlon, wisdom, and firmness of the EN-
| peror and the wise couusellors whom he has
| salnered around him, have triumphed over
difficulties which were deemed indispensable.
On his accession to the throne, Alexander
was SAID to be intellectually inferior 10 Mich
oias' But certainly the government was nav
er more wisely or vigorously conducted than
ls at present. While it is giving an unpss-
eedented development to the internal resources
OF the country, it is malntaining dignifed
attitude before the nations of Europe, and is
carefully watching for advantages along its
vast frontier in Asia. The world NAV have
reason to modify it's frst opinion Of Alexsn-
ders wisdom, as they have changed their es-
innate OF Louis Napoleon sagaeity. With
the new opportunities for improvement, which
are now granted to the Slavonic race. we ex-
pect to see them assume new position before
the world. We are convinced that their in
tellectual powers are upderrated.p They are,
by nature, remarkably quick and skillful lin
gusts. Many cheering signs Of increasing
literary activity are already apparent, and the
next fifty years will show as that Russians
can think as well as stand up to be shot. If
the abolition of seridom shall be successfully
accomplished, we shall cherish firm hopes
that Russia will continue to be guided by wise
and humane principles, and prove herself a
blessing rather than q curse to the brother
hood OF nations.- Providence Journal.