Weekly national intelligencer., 1864-03-17
EMANCIPATION IN RUSSIA.

EMANCIPATION IN RUSSIA.
An English clergyman, Rev. j. LONG, who haf
spent some months in Russia for the special purpose
of studying the effects of serf emancipation on the
spot, and who has had every facility given him by
the authorities for the prosecution Of his obserya-
tons, has recently published very interesting
account of his explorations under this head de
travelled extensively in the interior of the coun
try, residing for time In a district one hundred
miles south of Moscow, and processes to have min
gled freely with all classes of the Russian people,
not excepting those who look with distavor on the
great social amelioration accomplished by the pre-
sent Emperor.
Mr. long reports the emancipation as complete
ly successful in every respect. All the forebod-
iogs Of its opponents have been disappointed.
There has been no bloodshed, no excess, no social
disorder, no decline of industry Twenty-three
millions of people have been raised at once from
the degradation of serfdom to the dignity OF free
men by the fat Of one man, In the space OF two
wears, in the face of most formidable opposition
from a portion of the nobility. The bitterest op-
ponents now admit that g as the operation had to
be performed some time, it was well to do it at
once" Intellectual and social energies which had
been frozen up for centuries are set free, and the
peasantry who are promising race of people,
know how to appreciate the boon of liberty.
Ii will be remembered by our readers that the
present Emperor of Russia, in an address to the
nobility at the time of the initiation of this move
ment stated that he had resolved to take this step
from considerations Of public policy dictated by
forecast of the future-wisely adding that it was
always to be desired in the interest of humanity and
good government that such changes "should come
from above rather than from below that is, that
hey should take their initiative from the govern
INC power in the State, and not be the offspring
of popular eruption resulting from pent-up fires
long cherished by the people and too long subdued
by the Government.
According to the representation of Mr.. Long,
the friends Of constitutional government have rea-
son to rejoice in serf emaucipation as forming the
first ipstalment of liberal institutions in Russia.
He says:
Even the ale Emperor Nicholas convinced that
emancipation uecrssary, but he would not give it,
knowing that it would involve reform IN all other depart
ents Of the State; that the upheavng OF The masses
would affect every institution in Russia, As sef emanc
patton included municipal institutions for the peasantry
constitution Therefore for all Russis follows corolay
and found, all intelligent Russians, the full con
victon that constitution must naturally come in few
years. that municipal constitutions grow out Of eman-
cipaton proyine al assemblies the result o munich
al freed aid constitution will be the fruit o prOyn
csl assemblies. These steps bepg taken.
saunicipa institutions for all Russia the certain
result have been delighted e. see how the pessantry,
IN means u the village elective coupc regu-
ae their own afars, eec the chief Of each village, have
heir regular iage meetings will explain this more At
large in subsequent letter But this municp pal liberty
granted to peasants cannot be limited 10 them there will
soon be municipal bodies every town in Russia Mos.
COW and Petarsbugh since the last tao years have been
granted mayors elected by the citizens without the
r, of Government, sud nlso provslonal assembes As
he step what has been concrded to the peasants
not be deu-d to the merchant and noble These mum
pal intitutons tranpgschools for the peasantry
hey enabe them 10 resist the oppression oil the mobiles and
the Government employ es they uiso break the force ot
that ation which been such to Russia
and they nuclei protect the weak against the vena
Ice al Russa for in the peasants court oral evidence
summary decision and publicity form the rules o proceed
inc simple end cheap code Of law admnistered'
The philosophical student Of politics will not
omit 10 observe the different results as well as the
different processes Of emancipation in Russia and
in our own country. In Russia emancipation is
the forcrunner # municipal ipsGtntiona In the
United States emsnc cpaton is built on the ruin of
municipal institutions. The provost marsbals OF
Gen Banks today regulate the movements OF the
" freedman" c1mmanding him to work on desig-
mated plantations, ODd specifying his service dur
ing hours and at prices fixed by military officers Of
the Government in Washington.
The clements Of the problem Of emancipation
are greatly different in the two countries, whether
gard be had to the subjects Of that emancipation,
their preparation for freedom, the agencies by
which it has been effected, the wisdom by which it
has been directed, or the results to which it has
conducted; and in all these respects the Govern
mcnt aud people Of Russia have shown practical
sagacity much superior to ours as their present
condition and prospects are more enviable.
Nh CHASE NOT A CANDIDATE.