Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-24
The Polish Insurreetion.


FROM the y. Y. Commercial Advertiser.
AS yet we can form no correct estimate of
the extent OF the insurrectionary movement in
Poland. The last batch OF European papers
received here contains little information re-
latlng to 1t beyond the few kilograms which
nave made their appearance. We need not
remind the reader that these, being mostly is
sued from Warsaw, represent merely the gov
eminent, or rather Russian side of the story:
from the Polish insurgents we have been able
to learn nothing. Even the dispatches trans
mitted from Berlin are liable to be regarded
with considerable distrust since the Polish
duchy OF Posen is a species of running sore
on the part OF Prussia, which she is sure to
cover up decently, if in her power. The
three great parties which divide that unhappy
country among themselves, have common
interest IN belttling every movement which
points toward the revival of the old Lithuani-
ian nationality. The mere mention of it sug-
gests crime which the lapse of century
has not washed out, and the effects of which
seem to break out afresh with as much viru-
lence as Immediately after its contamination.
The blood stain will not suffer removal, let il
be ever SO well washed and rubbed Fear,
shame, remorse, ambition, all concur in
making the courts of st. Petersburg, Vienna,
aud Berlin pull together in the task of keep
ing down the Polish people.
One thing is certain: The Instruction
which has taken place is no merely local or
temporary outburst, the result of a popular
excitement growing out of single unpopular
measure. Even from the imperfect sources
OF information accessible we hear of nation
al committee, whose behests are implicitly
obeyed; of cannon and small arms having
been provided; of Interruptions to travel and
telegraphing; of the arrival of highly popu-
lar officer, Gen. Mieroslawski, to take COM
maIdi of ei"s"it"Heous and apparently con-
certed movements upon cities and towns in
different parts of the country; and last but
not least, of a union Of all Understanding,
burgesses and peasantry. 1t is, indeed, very
significant that the territorial aristocracy are
following the example set by the Magyars of
Hungary in 1913, by conceding to the serfs
permanent interest as proprietors in the soil
This circumstance completely disproves the
falSehood sent over the wires at the outset,
that the grandees of the country were taking
no part in the insurrection, which was being
speedily suppressed.
The immediate incentive to the outbreak
was a rigid and cruel enforcement of new
conscription law. The quota of Warsaw, for
example, was about twelve thousand-an i'm
mense number for a city Of its population.
The mode of enforcing it reminds one of the
methods formerly resorted to by the Scotch
Highlanders for catching game. Armed men
formed u circle, which enclosed section of
country, and gradually contracted its limits,
driving the wild animals to the center, where
they were killed. At Warsaw no young man
was informed that the lot had fallen upon
him; but, after the conscriptOn had taken
place, the gates were closed and egress for
hidden, while hcrdes of Cossacks broke loose
in the streets in search of their prey. With
all these precautions, however, ten of the
twelve thousand could not be caught, having
previously sought shelter in the forests and
fens. These men are now armed with the
formidable scythes and spears which made
such havoc In the Russian ranks thirty years
ago.
One remarkable characteristic of the up
rising is its suddenness. Two years ago mat
tiers appeared to drift toward another reyou-
ton; an agricultural association of a national
character was formed, but was by the Russian
government promptly suppressed Blood
flowed freely in the streets of the capital; and
spirit of selt-sacrifice took possession of the
people, indicative of astate of mind bordering
on frenzy. The movement, however, was
suppressed for the time. A brother of the
emperor (COnstantine), having liberal repu-
tation and much administrative ability, was
appointed viceroy of the so-called kingdom.
His policy, at this distance, seemed to have
the effect of composing the popular mind and
in some measure reconciling the Poles to their
Russian masters. ALI to no purpose, howev-
er, if we are to believe the latest report two
hundred thousand men are in arms to over
throw government which was forced upon
them by treachery and conquest, and has
been maintained only by the most unheard of
cruelty.
According to appearances there is scarcely
the slightest prospect of success to the insur-
gents. Warsaw, strongly fortified, is held by
a Russian garrison which numbers 10000.
Twice as many more are concentrated in the
frontier provinces, to say nothing of the bod
les scattered through the towns of Poland.
The Russian empire is in a state of tranquil
ty and can turn all its resources toward the
restoration of ''order." Prussia and Austria
will be at heart, if not in overt act, hand IN
glove with the Gar.
The chances in favor of those gallant patri-
OTIS are indeed few and small, to all human
appearance. But they are, beyond ques-
ton, desperately in earnest; are reckless, al.
most to contempt of their own property and
lives. The country is sufficiently wooded to
afford them shelter against their enemies, and
provisions may be found to supply their wants
for a long time. Unfortunately, the past
bears too abundant witness that a cause essen
TALLY good aided by the highest fighting quail
tiles, has not sufficed to overcome the stronger
battalions of the vast Russian empire, and one
cannot help fearing that the present attempt
will end like too many of those which have
preceded it.