New-York daily tribune., 1864-04-13
RUSSIA AND POLAND.

The political and social regeneration OF Last
em Europe, and in particular of the two great
nations in NORTHEASTERN EurOpe-the Russians
and the Polcs-is progressing at rapid rate.
The abolition of seridOm in Russia, the inaugu-
ration of constitutional form Of government IN
the Grand Duchy OF Finland, with the
creation of district and provincial repre-
sentative assemblies in Russia, and other
reformatory acts, have recently been iol-
lowed by ukase. declaring the Polish
peasants proprietors Of the land which they are
at present cultiyatng. The measure is radical,
sweeping, and stipulateS for no exception.
Whether those lands formerly belonged to the
Crown, or TO institutions, or to private parties,
they will henoeforth be the property Of the
peasants.
Nor does this important measure stop here
The Polish peasant will not only be his o.n
master and frecholder, but at the same time
cease to be subject TO the jurisdiction OF the mo-
blenen who hitherto have had an almost unlim-
tied control over him. Hereafter the commune
ties Of peasants will have the right of self-gov-
ernment, and peasants will themselves choose
the local authorities As compensation for all
these new privileges, the peasant will pay
small sum TO the Government, TO be used for
indemnifying to some extent the former propri'
etors
That the effect Of these measures viii be
electric, and followed by the most momentous
consequences, is generally admitted by the
Democratic press Of Europe. The immediate
effect viii be the total suppression Of the
lingering remainder OF the Polish insunec-
tion. large portion Of the peasants, as has
always been admitted by the Polish ac-
counts, showed themselves opposed to the na-
tional rising from the start, and have ever since
remained opposed to it. II may be sup
posed that this opposition will now become
general, and that the peasants Will not only
refuse any cooperation with the insurrcction,
but will be anxious to render active aid in
ts speedy suppression. For It is only the con-
tinuance Of the insuTcction that now delays
the full possession and enjoyment of the
privileges conferred upon them.
Ii is reasonable TO expect that another consc-
mence of this bold act Of the Emperor Alex
ander will be the building up Of a strong Rus
Ian party in Poland. The reign of Alexander
ii. will be remembered among the peasantry as
the beginning Of their Liberation from ablect
ren itudc. True, the Secret National Govern
mcnt, which was at the head Of the insurrec-
tio,, lod for thn,,, tho cor,a fro, dom
and even before the outbreak Of the rebellion,
the Polish nobility, both in the Kingdom of
Poland and III the adjacent provinces OF West
crn Russia, had advocated the same reform;
and at that time it was only the opposition of
the Russian Government which prevented them
from carrying out their noble design. But fact
are so much weightier than designs that we can
hardly doubt that the Russian Government
will claim and receive monopoly of the
honor which to larger extent belongs To-
the leaders Of the insurection. The good dis
position Of the peasantry toward the Crown is
likely to be the greater, as III the latter part of
the year 1868 the aristocratic party was believed
to be in the ascendency in the Insurectonary
and this fact may have raised
doubt in many peasants minds whether the
promises of land made by that party would be
executed and would meet their ex
pectations.
The Tolks Zeitung of Berlin, one of tho lead :
ing organs of German democracy, remarks with
regard to the ukase of the Russian Emperor,
hat il will make the Polish peasants not only