New-York daily tribune., 1861-08-30
RUSSIA.

The Russian Empire, which expanded and
fourished through centuries Of despotI.m and
slavery, is at length sub ectod to terr Ole or
deal through the accession to its throne OF
gentle reformer aud phlsnthropist. The stern
ab.olulisR 9f NICHOLAS secured, after the blood
fbsd that marked bis ACCESSION, general tranquil
lty throughout bis reign OF quarter ct cen
tur,; only in the all but imPeneirhbls ias'ne'Ses
of the Caucasus was his authority dehed, aod
there by 4 wild race that had never owned the
sway Of his family; Poland, after one de'perase
insurrectlon at tue outset Of his reign, relSp,ed
into perfect thongh suleu Submission, and was
fvI tsirty years more quiet in bOndage than she
ever va. in freedom. The Mwcoyite serf- wore
their chain, IS passiyely as though they bad been
woye 5l sr aud ate their black bread as il it
were al that could b. desired. Financially,
Rus.i was esteemed alE,6s md most solvent Of
nstor, owing little or nothing abroad, while
her iOcks commanded good prices at home.
Her rned interpositlon to reegabhsh Austrian
rule n Hungary, followed by her eIhansting
war With Turkey, France and England, doubt
less srnlned the resources ana weighted the
credi Of the Empire; set Russia Was scarcely
le,s IAN the frat Power OF Europe when the
bsugiy Autocrat Was suddenly .natched away
by dath.
Iii son Alexander succeeded to the throne but
not the policy Of Nicholas. Hs soon made peace
with the AGies--a peace more reyoiting to her
pridethan any which Russia had signed for gen-
b.rl 4
been brought to accept. He unfjlded, soon as
practicable, his project Of Serf Emancipation, 10
who he has ever since adhered with cOnstancy
and earnestness which do him signal honor. Ana
bis rle is, by common consent the mildest and most
patenal that Russia has ever known.
Yt hi, imperial couch has proved no bed Of
rose. Probably no peasant, no serf, has lived
90 hrsssng a life % bis since bo ssctnded the
thrne. Though journalism is in low estate in
Russia, and little is pubIIahed respecting the in
teral condition Of the country but what the
Goerument pre,cribes, it is abundantly evident
tha the Empire il passing through crisis Of
extraordinary severity. The mobiles are 10 the
MN intensely hostile to Emancipation, which i,
in their eyes robbery, confscatOu, Jacobiulsm,
Socialism, and even wOrse, If there be any worse.
Tb Emperor 10 regarded by them very mach as
LIyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips or any other
'nisger- thief" is by our slavesolders. On the
ocasion of q recent Official ball given 10 him at
Ioscow, nearly all of the sristocratic caste en-
,hasized thor dissatisfaction BY refusing 10 al
end. Reports OF grand conspiracy 10 kill hun
ih. Co. nf hac haap
rite, and were probably we'll founded. The
Russian polity having been happily characterized
ss % despOtism tempered by assassination" the
ready recourse Of those dissatisfied with the ex-
sting rule is TO pognard the Emperor, trusting
10 the strong probability that his successor will
,s guided by radically different counsels. And
il L. even yet quite likely that tho speedy death
If Alexander would lead either to the continu-
lnce of scrfdom or the ruin OF the Empire.
For tho serfs, though grateful to the Emperor
or the prospect of liberty. are impatient Of the
limitations by which ho has seen tit TO temper
he boon. The two years probation for freedom
Prescribed BY thsir imperial beneiactor. they can
esrcely abide. holding themselves as fit to enjoy
ho precious boon to-day ss they evsr will be,
md loathing the thought Of spending another day
n bondage. Grossly ignorant ~ most Of them
ire, they give easy eredence to tho whisper
hat the good Car has decreed their uncondi-
ioual liberty, but that their lifelong oppressors
intend nevertheless 10 hold them forever in
,hains. Hence tumult., riots seditions, which
nave in some instances assumed a menscing
;bsracter, and which must at all eysuts seriously
diminish the product Of this years Industry, at
, tune when the finances are in deglOrablO