The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-31


newspapers, and the system of Russianizing
practised throughout the whole Of the Polish
territory during the last sixty-dve years, the
traditions of the old monarchy are known and
cherished by the entire population. The Polish
youth are made familiar, from their cradles,
with the legends of their country, AID thus,
from sire to son, has their melancholy history
been handed down, by word of mouth, against
which Russian censorship is unavailing.
And these oral revelations have not fallen
lightly upon the ear of the present generation
of Poles-for Poles they still call themselves
who, stimulated by the wonderful successes of
Garbaldi and his volunteers in defeating q
hundred thousand men, and the hope that the
second empire of France is anxious to do what
the first left undone, by restoring the Polish
nationality, are making another struggle for
separate national existence.
We may here enumerate the leading histori-
cal points bearing upon the recent disturbances
| at Warsaw At the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Poland
in 1878, when she had population Of fifteen
millions and an area greater than that Of France,
the neighboring Powers of Russia, Prussia and
Austria appropriated nearly third of the ter
ritory. In 1898 second partition took place,
when Russia and Prussia absorbed more than
half Of the remaining portion and two years
later third partition erased Poland entirely
from the list of nations. From 1915 till 1880
Poland, like ireland at the present day, was
constituted kingdom under the sway of the
Emperor of Russia But in the latter year
revolution took place, which terminated
with the bloody battle of Grochow,
in 1881. The Russians, who were commanded
by Diebitsch, the victor Of the Turkish war,
were numerous and well equipped, and the
engagement took place under the walls of
Warsaw, for the possession of that city. But,
although it resulted in the surrender of the
Poles, it was so far undecided that both sides
have since claimed the victory. Poland was,
in 1882, declared an integral part Of the Rus
sian empire. 1t has been the custom for the
Poles to celebrate the anniversary of the battle
of Grochow, but not SYSTEMATICALLY. At the
last anniversary, the 25th of February, how
ever, the youth of Warsaw decided upon hav-
ing demonstration. 1t was their first inten-
ton to march in solemn procession to the field
of battle, and there perform a funeral service
over their fallen brethren. But they were pre-
vented from this by a strong force of cavalry
and artillery posted near the spot. They there
fore resolved upon forming torchlight pro-
cession, in which the Polish banner white
eagle on a scarlet ground-was to be carried.
Dense masses of people collected, and the
cavalry charged. Eight were killed and seve-
raj wounded The widest excitement prevail
ed during the next day, and the massacre Of
the previous evening was the absorbing topic Of
conversation. On the 9th masses of people
again collected, and the Chief of Police, who
happened to be passing in his drosky, was at
tackled by the Infatuated mob, and would very
probably have been torn to pieces but for the
interference of a company of infantry that
drove the crowd back with their bayonets, and
subsequently fired volley, by which five per-
sons were killed and about thirty wounded.
After this the corpses we're placed on biers
and carried through the streets of Warsaw, fol-
lowed by nearly the whole male population of
the city, singing funeral dirge, and uttering
the cry of Down with the Muscovites." The
troops were ordered into the citadel, and
tranquility, the world is informed again reigns
in Warsaw. But what sort of tranquility, and
for how long? The inhabitants of Warsaw
have, in the name of the Polish nation, since
addressed q petition to the Emperor for the
restoration of the constitutional government,
abolished by Nicholas in consequence Of the
revolution of 1881. This outbreak at Warsaw
has already had its effect upon Austrian and
Prussian Poland, where the people are ripe for
revolutions; and the love Of nationality is so
deeply rooted in mankind, and particularly in
the Polish breast, that when favorable oppor.
tunity offers we may anticipate general up
rising of the whole population Of Poland
against the Powers that Cypress them.
The REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THEIR PROFESS
sIoNs FOR THE PooR.-DuriDg the late Presi-
dental campaign republican speakers, orators
and writers were never tired Of talking about
the poor, Of freedom, free labor, and free every
thing else. All the landless were also to be
provided with free farms. What are their
practices? They have passed tariff which
imposes prohibitory taxes on the Importation
Of heavy woollen goods, such as pilot cloths,
used by the masses for overcoats, and also on
coarse blankets, fannels, broadcloths, heavy
coarse carpets hosiery, &c, while fine quail
ties OF broadcloths, cassimeres, blankets, fan
nels, &c, worn chiefly by the rich, have light
duty imposed upon them, as they are all taxed
by weight.
Salt is acknowledged to be universal
necessary of life, and is indispensably ne
eessary in the curing Of meats; yet this ar.
ticle, which every poor man must use, is enor-