The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-10

POLICY or RUSSIA In EURoPE-HER LIBERAL.
TESDkScHs.-We have always maintained that,
after England, the government which approx
mates most to the United States in liberality
and comprehensiveness of political views is
Russia. II 1t has not been able to move faster
In the development Of the theories which it
from time to time puts forth through its organs,
1t is less because of its want Of faith in them
than because of the peculiarities of its situs.
tion With population made up of different
nationalities, speaking different languages, and
for the greater part in condition but little re-
moved from barbarism, there is great din
Guilty in applying to them ssch uniform and
liberal rules of polity as the advanced ideas Of
the age would seem to demand. In other
words as Russia is at present circumstanced, y
constitutional system would be wholly unsuited
to her condition. She has to make greater
strides in agricultural, commercial and indus
trial qualifications. and in the enlightenment
which they bring with them, before represen-
tative form of government can be made to work
tremendously and bene6cially for her. With the
multiplication of railways, increased facilities
of communication between the remote parts
of her empire, and the diffusion of information
through her newspaper presto which vast
impulse has been given of late-this progress
win not be long in making itself felt in its re-
action upon the commercial and manufacturing
interests of the rest of Europe.
In awaiting the changes which the increasing
intelligence and industrial activity of the Rus
sian people must bring about in their political
condition, it is gratifying to find the govern
ment always in advance of their demands
With wisdom and foresight unusual in men
at the head Of despotic systems, Alexander
and his advisers seem to be preparing the way
for the inevitable necessities of their future
position, or rather of that of their successors.
They are fortunately not Of that class Of selfish
statesmen who are content with providing for
the exigencies of the hour, leaving to those
who come after them the inheritance Of the
difficulties which they have managed to stave
of. As rapidly as it is possible for them to do
SO they are advancing in the path of admins
trative reforms. In three or four weeks from
the present date it is expected that the plan
for the emancipation of the serfs will be sub
mitted to the Council Of the Empire and
brought to successful issue. Other measures
of equal importance, such as the reorganiza-
ton Of the judicial tribunals and of the provin-
cial police, are in preparation, and will also be
shortly submitted to the Council
But il is not merely in its domestic policy
that the boldness and sagacity of the Russian
government call for admiration. Its atx-
tude in regard to Italy has contributed as
much almost as anything else to the success of
the revolution, by checking the hostile action
Of the German governments. But in order
that its reserve may not be attributed to wrong
motives, it comes out with an explicit explana-
ton, through its recognized organs, of the prin-
ciples which have guided its conduct In an
other column they will be found formulated in
a manner that must give heartfelt satisfaction
to all the friends of popular freedom. In ad-
hitting, even though with qualification, the
right Of people to choose their own institu-
tons and rulers, Russia gives the death blow
to those pretensions which have been the
main cause Of the wars which have deyastat-
ed Europe for so many centuries back. After
this there is little to fear for Italy even though
she should persist in endeavoring to regain by
conquest that portion of her national territory
which Austria withhold. from her by the in
fuence Of terrorism.