Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-03-26
The Blockade.
Rnssian Rmaneipalien.

From the Chiesgo Timesl
The experiment Of emancipation in Russia,
plsnned two yesTs since and submitted to the
country for gradual preparation was consum-
! mated on the third day of the present month.
On that day twenty millions Of serfs became
free from the obligations which bound them to
the nobility, and were endowed with a new in
dependence. They acquire an independence
because, in the first place, they are Of the same
color and nationality as their masters and
thereby entitled TO dignity aRd respect so far as
their abilities can command them and because,
/ IN the second place, they have not been reduced
from dependence to helplessness, by mistaken
philanthropy which clothes them in destitution
while it makes them fres In this the Russian
and American emancipation systems differ most
wiiely,
b. the provisions of the royal uksse, the serfs
acquire right to hold, by lease or in perpetuity
as their means or disposition may dictate, the
homestead property upon which they and their
fathers have lived. They also have other rights
regarding the tenure Of the soil. Ths serf may
therefore be IS poor as the African negro in
whose behalf our emancipationists ciamor, and
yet he viii have 3 home aud the same means
Of support which have suficed him heretofore
( The land upon which he lives has been eulti-
waited by himself, his father, and his ances-
tors, from time immsm0rial. Generations live
and die upon the same litle spot of ground
and educated and trained to the best method of
developing that spot of ground, the Russian seTf
Of the present day walks forth free man, the
possessor Of bis hereditary domain, and Of an
ample subsistence. VIII any reasoning being
compare his system with that which has already
brought misery to thousands of emaneipaied
blacks, who sre'dying Of starvation and disease
under our AbolitioDisml Yet we are cited
before the tribunal of public opinion, and made
70 stand degraded beside the enlightened phil
anthFOpy Of Russia. There is no parallel be-
tween the cases
With this comparatively easy and definite
solution Of the difficulty, Russia is in a condi-
ton of social disorganiz alton and tumult. The
nobility, naturally arraYed against the emBnci-
patton measure, have excited the hatred of the
serfs, who worship the indistinct visien of royal
y which has wrought their freedom By means
to them unknown and incomprehensibe. The
dull fire breaks out occasionally at TumOrs OF
danger to tho sovereign from the enmity Of
their former masters. and the lords Of the soil
have besn in peril Of determination in certain
loealitie7. Not long since fanatic priest raised
the torch of var with the tale Of an Internal
machine presented to the Gar, and nearly
threw districts iuso revolution. With a new
found consciousness Of strength and impor-
tancs. the emancipated serfs become terror to
their-benefactor, as power which, having ere
aled be cannot control And so tho national
peace is upset, aud the most jealous advocates
Of the imperial policy acknowledge to a soeisl
eonvulsi0n which they fear, and hope to Paefy.
That sbfy will be able to paeity 1t IS not certain
The Polish insurreciion Is believed to be spread
ing into the frontier districts Of Russia, and if
enee the hamo Of revolution is lighted among
the twenty millions Of emancipated serfs, who
apparently stand ready for any antsgonism, the
power of despotism and aTistocFsey win be
swept away Ike chat before the autumn wind.