Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-10-13
IN RUSSIA.

The attention of the friends of human
freedom has been directed, of late years with
uncommon interest, to Russia. Hopes have
been entertained that the gigantic system of
servitude which has there existed for many
ages was about to be abolished, and that
Russia would thus Join the ranks of those
nations whose example is such a powerful
protest against every form of human slavery.
These hopes have not yet been realized
Whether they are likely to be so is very
doubtful. The present Emperor, with the
best intentions, finds himself surrounded by
embarrassments and difficulties, and many,
in fact, well-informed with regard to the con-
dition of the Empire, are fully convinced
that serf-emancipation must be one feature
of a general reform in which the whole sys-
tenn of administration shall be changed. a
few leading facts relating to this subject may
interest our readers.
1t will surprise some to learn that the
number of serfs in the Russian Empire is al
most twice as great as the entire population
of the United States. There are tt0enty-
two millions belonging to the Crown and the
Imperial family, and twenty-five millions
more who are private property making
WLttLONS w t(t' luCSC III IClu
for property as literally and really as are
the negroes in the Southern States al
though in one particular their condition is
different, and more favorable. While they
can be bought and sold, this is always in CON
nection with the lands upon which they live.
and which they are compelled to till. Thus
there are not such separations of families,
nor such disgraceful exposures in the auction
shambles, as are seen in this country. The
Russian surf, besides, receives for himself a
certain portion of his yearly earnings. A
specified portion goes to his owner, while the
remainder he keeps for the support of him
self andfamily. Some instances occur where
the peasant, under this arrangement, saves
money, although the principal advantage Of
this seems to be that it makes him a prey to
government robbers, who bring against him
mock charges, and compel him to save his
life by parting with his money.
Under the most favorable circumstance
it is a condition of hardship. The Russian
serfs are absolutely owned by their masters,
and are not recognized in any relation, as
either men or citizens. They descend from
father to son, as a part of the inheritance, OF
may be sold, along with the land they till, to
pay IuG uCDlo VI any oPCIulLlhl' IL ga
the least of such a condition, it is utterly at
war with every idea of Improvement or OF
the elevation of the laboring class. How
the peasant of Russia became thus a slave,
seems not wholly agreed among historians.
1t is supposed that when, in an early age,
the people, who were at first a nomadic race
like the Tartars, roamingfrOm place to place
in search of pasturage for their herds, begar
to turn their attention to a more settled way
of living and to the cultivation of the soil
prisoners of war, debtors, and other helples;
persons over whom the stronger class haC
the means of exercising power, were reduced
to servitude and compelled to work for theil
usurping masters. In the tenth century
slavery was recognized by law, however i
may have been introduced. In 1892 the SER
was attached to the soil. In 1897 the mum
Der was increased by a decree which forbade
persons then laboring under a contract to
leave the service of their employers even at
the expiration of their term, and any one
who had been thus in service for six months
might be appropriated as bond-servants At
a later date the Empress Catherine laid the
same heavy yoke on still other necks. Ger
tain individuals induced her to decree that
all persons laborlng on the soil within a par
ticular district, called Little Russia, should
be from a certain date regarded as serfs.-
The instigators of this contriyed, by offering
large wages, to draw a number of free per-
sons to the district named, and placed them
under employ. When the decree took effect
these were all reduced to slavery their first
knowledge of the decree being the annouce-
ment of the fact that henceforth they and
their posterity, forever were slaves. "One
'courtier, :" we are told, "a member of the
council Of State, obtained the favor of hav-
ing two fine regiments of grenadiers encamp-
ed on his land at the critical moment. and he
incorporated them with his agricultural
serfs.' These instances sufficiently indicate
how it is that slavery exists ia Russia.
The vast number of the serfs is not more
surprising than the small number of the pro.