The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1864-03-22
Russia in Transition.


The issue Of The Polish war and the relation
of Russia to Poland ceased some time since to
occupy much attention and interest. Feeble
remnants Of the National partyo Poland are
still keeping up an unequal struggle with the
overwhelming forces of Russia, but with no
prospect whatever Of success, except in the
event of generalrevolution throughout Europe
and a reconstruction Of its entire map.
Meanwhile, Russia herself is in transition
condition. Opinions may differ as to how
much credit should be given for this to the
present Emperor; but certain it is, that in
the history Of Russia and Of the world the
reign Of Alexander II. viii stand forth as the
beginning Of new era in an empire destined
% be among the foremost nations Of the
earth. Hitherto we have heard, on interna-
tional questions, the voice of Russian Gov
srnment Onlyi ere long it will be that of
the Russian NatiOn-the voice of people al
ready the most numerous of any nationality,
either European or American.
The first great measure in the reign of
Alexander II. is now in the fullest sense of
the word an accomplished, unalterable fact.
Involuntary servitude has ceased throughout
the Empire, and population almost as large
as that Of any of the other great States of
Europe have learned to think and act as free
men, and to take a personal interest in the
future Of their country. Whether this grand
revolution viii only result in promoting the
b1o oF os,-.1s-,Aso-.
it is likely, as many contend, to lead to grave
social complications, we do not stop now to ex-
anime; but some most cheering consequences
have already followed it. From an English
missionary, the Rev. J. Long, who recently
spent five months in Russia, seeking for in
formation connected with the serf emancipa-
ti0n movement, we learn that to carry out the
Emancipation act fifteen hundredunpaid JUS
tees Of the Peace were nominated by the Gov
ernment The administration Of these men,
who we're selected for their character and pub
lie spirit, has generally given satisfaction
and it is intended that they shall discharge
duties similar to those Of County Magistrates
in England. Eight thousand new schools
have sprung into existence within two years
among the peasantry, and they are rapidly on
the increase. One million of peasants have
bought up the land on which they lived. The
price of land is rising all through Russia, and
more houses have been built within the last
two years than during the previous six.
At the beginning Of the present year. the
Emancipation ordinance was followed by an
other, whose influence will be even more
marked and extensive than that of the aboli-
ton Of serfdom. We refer to the ukase de-
creeing the introduction of a representative
form Of Government. The representative as
semblies will be twofold-district assemblies
and provincial assemblies. The former will
be composed of three classes of delegates,
chosen respectively by the landed proprietors,
by the rural communities, and by the towns. |
The two former classes will send nearly |
equal number of delegates, the, towns a |
smaller one. Thus, in the District of Tam
boy there will be 40 delegates of the proprie- |
tors, 81 of the rural communities, and 10 of /
the towns. The district assemblies will be |
presided over by the Marshals OF the Nobility, |
and meet every year FOR ten days. They wiIl |
elect permanent executive committee, con-
sisting Of three members. The district as
semblies will elecL certain number Of their |
members delegates to the provincial Govern |
ment) assemblies, which will be in session
every year for twenty days and will be rep
resented for the remainder of the year by
permanent executive committee Of six mem.
bers. Both classes of assemblies will have
the right of petition; their budgets and pro
ceedings will be published, and it is expected
that the sessions will be public. Though the
the right Of Suffrage is not yet general, the
mass Of the population will be entitled to
take an active part in the election of the as
semblies. A glance at the parliamentary
history Of the other European States, and at
the progress of representative government
throughout the civilized world, must disperse
every doubt as TO the electric impulse which
The election Of the first representative assem-
blies in Russia must give to the political ed
lcation Of the people.
With the establishment of a representative
form Of government in Russia, the freedom
IF the press will be assured. In Finland,
.he draft Of new Press law has already
been laid before the Diet, by which the cen
3orship is abolished, and every citizen who is
.wenty-One years old obtains the right to
establish paper in the Swedish or Finnish
language, upon depOsiting sum not exceed
ng 1000 francs. Violations of the law
through the press, as well as complaints
against the Superior Administration, will be
ried before the regular courts. A similar
'eiOrm of the Press law has been prepared
or Russia in general, and is now under final
examination in the Council of the Empire
The Russian papers are highly elated at this
lew prospect of progress, and warmly sup
,ort its speedy introduction.
Other reforms, likewise of the higest i'm
,ortanee, are in course of preparation. The
raft Of thorough reform of the judicial
ystem has been, by order of the Emperor,
ubmitted to the consideration of the Council
f the Empire. A Petersburg correspondent
f the Nord, the semi-oficial Russian paper at
'aris, expects, as immediate results of this
MEASURE, that arbitrary government viii be
t an end; that no one will be deprived of
liberty nor condemned to any punishment
whatsoever without a verdict or a legal de-
rec. It is known, says the same correspond
Mt, that the principal elements Of this reform
7ill be the introduction Of The jury system
nd Of oral procedure. It is expected that &
his measure will be carried into effect before
he close Ct the current year. Such seed i'm
lanted upon Russian soil must bring forth t
God fruit and it is reasonable to expect that I
be next thirty years of Russian history, 7
'hether th.ir general aspect be peaoeable or
'arlike, will be period of the grandest de- 1
elopment.- Ne1O York TTibnHe.