The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-05-16
Progress of Russia.


There is probably no nation in the world
advancing so steadily and rapidly at this mo
ment as Russia. The government is in ad.
vance of the people, and not like that o.
most OF the countries of Europe, far behind
the average of general intelligence and vir
tue. Yet the present Emperor, a sedate
quiet young man, was supposed during the
Lille OF his father, to be rather deficient in
powers, and not at all brilliant man.
Without the daring of his brother Constan.
tlne' or the tact suddenly to please, he was
considered such mere Redtapist as to cause
very considerable anxiety on his deuth-bed
to the Emperor Nicholas, who, it is said
took an oath Of Constsntine to support the
government of his brother. Perhaps the
tears of Nicholas on this score were eyspge.
rated by the remembrance of his own con i.
duct in supcrceding his brother to the
Throne. AT any rate there have been so
many instances of Imperial Insecurity in
Russia, that one of the best proofs of ad
vancing public morals is the loyalty OF such
a man as Constantine to the government OF
his brother, Alexander.
The present Emperor proves, in fact, o
young Solomon on the Throne. Pescefnl
"here his father was warlike and Imperial.
ne governs by wisdom and by system; gath.
ers round him the wisest councillors. and is
doing more to develop the almost boundless
resources of his Empire, than any dozen
monarchs have done before. Agricultural
implements are taken over as fast as invent.
ed from this country. by an agent, who re-
sides in New York specially for that purpose.
Indeed, the Emperor is not only represented
in all the Courts of Europe, but in all the
centres Of progress, both in Europe and in
this country. Railroads and telerraphs are
being constructed oil over the Empire, and
from the Amoor to the Baltic thought will
soon flash by lightning. His power is being
extended along the shores of the Caspian
and through Persia, and bis fleets ride side
BY side with those of France in the Medi-
terranean.
Yetthe Russian "Empire is peace" Com.
merce extends in every direction, and even
manufacturers abound. The serfs are h ino
liberated, and yet there is no violent out.
break-no peasantry that eat but will not
work no pauperism. On the contrary.
every department of private us we'll as pub
lie life shows rapid signs of regeneration
and progress. All the foreign relations of
Russia are amicahle. Set most respectable,
and A!exander's government is most resbect.
ed. 1t seldom interferes with the concerns
of other nations, end, in this respect, is like
our own, but when it does il effects its pur-
pose. Side by side with our own REPRESENT
atives it negotiated with China, and we both
obtained by peace what others have not vet
gained by the threat of war.
The contrast between Russia and France
49, IN all these respects very great. Napo.
leon dazzles France; Alexander en!igbtens
RUSSIA. Napoleon makes war splenddly,
but Alexander gains more, both of respect
and power by. keeping clear of foreign
Ofo'Is' For durability, for progress, in fact,
for all the great endsSof government. Rms.
sla Is at this moment guided in its councils |
VITA more wisdom, but with less genius and
orill'ancy, than France. The secret causes
u this are few and staple. Alexander III
vas brought up to JaastneSs brought up to
ne business part ofstatesmanship, just as
Sir Robert Peel, in England, brought up his
ION, and was in great measure brought I'D
l'mseIf' All OF these men have been stig.
nat zed as men of red tape. men great only
n statistics and methods. But the fact is,
hat in making reforms. statistics must form
ne oasis. The arts Of interpreting figures
right and conducting the ordinary routine
uties OF government with exactness and
Feclslon' are what alone enable men to
onduct wise and safe.Te forms. The domes.
'c habits OF Alexander III and the home
lrtues he cherlshes have no little to do with
be stability of his government. Had he
ped the manners and initiated the proud but
@'nSh course OF hR father, carrying all
1ings by the force of an imperial will, he
ever could have effected half of what he
as already done, if indeed he had not lost .
is throne.-Pablic (Pa.) Ledger.