Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-04-08
POLAND AND EUROPE.

POLAND AND EUROPE
Once more Europe is on the verge of a lin
itless revolutionary movement. The recent
outbreak in Poland has grown TO such magni-
tude as TO lain the anxious solicitude of all
the European powers. NJ. ran Langiewicz,
who has been proclaimed Dictator, and has as
| is evidently young man of ability, frmness
and selfreliance. He learned the ar: of war
as artillery officer, in the Prussan army,
and subsequently,, after the peace of Villa
Franca, served with Garibaldi. who is much
attached to him. On the 1lth OF March, with
the sanction of the Central Committee of Po-
land, he issued stirring appeal, assuming the
! Dictatorship, and summoning the citizens to
share in the struggle against the oppression
of Russia. Several conflicts have taken place,
with decided advantage to LangiewIcz, who is
constantly receiving reinforcements. Eng
land and France would gladly persuade the
| Gear to grant such concessions TO the Poles
as would satisfy them and restore peace; and
Napoleon has made a direct appeal to him 20
not make concessions TO people in the atti-
tuuc VI ISDeiS. anu the inter nave very IlltlS
confidence in any promises that may be made
by Government which they have good
grounds for suspecting being unfaithful to
pledges made at such a time.
1t is very remarkable that the man who has
just bestowed the boon of freedom upon mil
lions of serfs. should have given occasion for
this revolt OF his Polish subjects but, in so
vast an empire, il is Impossible that the hand
of that upright and mercifu prince can be
felt everywhere. 1t is upon the Grand Duke
Constantine who rules a vice-roy over Po-
land, and who is very different man from his
imperial brother, that the blame of these OPP
pressions which have driven the Poles 10 arms
rests. Still, much must be allowed for he
redtary memories of ancient wrongs and
crushed nationality and also much for diver
sity IN religious faith between the Poles and
the Russians-the former being adherents of
! the Western, or Romish, church, the latter OF
the Eastern, or Greek. These aumosities
and diversites occasion turbulence; turbu-
lence requires a strong repressive force, aud
that force is oppression. But be the faults
where they may-on one side or the other, or
both-certan it is that great and perhaps ir-
repressible conflict has broken out and it
may not be quelled or settled until the whole
continent is wrapped in the flames of revolu-
ton. Hungary sympathizes strongly with Po-
land, and ii is not to be supposed that that
deeply injured people, who, like the Poles.
have long had heir nationality crushed out
beneath the heels Of despots, will be quiet
while their bre thren of Poland are battling to
regain theirs. Italy is deeply stirred, and the
first outburst in Hungary will be the signal
for the liberation of Venetia, the restoration
of Rome to her metropolitan place in the ltal-
ian Peninsula. and the realization of the fond
dream of the Italians, that the City of the
Cesars shall be the capital of their united
kingdom France, too is beginning to throb
once more with the Spirit of Liberty; and it
is not improbable that Napoleon may be con
strained to make virtue of necessity and put
himsel If at the head of tho liberal party in Eu-
rope. Should he do SO, and lhus swim with
the current, he may keep himself atioat for
while longer but il he undertakes 10 resist
it, he must quickly go under.