Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-03-08
EMANCIPATION IN RUSSIA
Rssutt, ofMs Se,f Emanciipa,ios IN r..

Js Long an English missionary VIII .l.l...
Russia last summer, has published the follow nq
interesting account Of the effects of the emanoi-
patton Of the serfs in that country -
81 recently spent FIVE months in Russia. main.
y in order 10 gain information from the bes
sources on the facts connected with the setl
emancipation movement and | have consulted
the enemies as we'll as the friends of the mea.
sure, English and German residents, as well as
Russia. The leaders afforded me every faoilit,
Of access to official documents, and visited es-
tates in various parts Of Russia to make further
inquiries into the local working of the measure.
"Whatever may be thought Of the oondnet nj
Russia towards Poland in carrying on the pre-
sent war, trust that the credit may be given 10
the present emperor and the Russian liberals for
this noble act Of serf emancipation. They had
hard battle to fight against the reactionary
party, who denounced emanci patton as social
ISM for they knew that it must gradually intro
duoe in IFS train host Of other reforms. They
prophesied that anarchy and blodshed must en-
sue; but the Emperor gave no heed. and was pre-
pared to risk his crown and his life In order TO
fIee the peasant
"Serf emancipation is an accomplished fact
Twewy-three millions of an intelligent. active
peasantry have been by it raised from the derra.
dalton oil being mere chattels, things for sale
though must be admitted that serfdom was
not so degrading as slavery is. The intellect
and social energies Of the ssrts, which have been
frozen up for centuries, are NOW set free and
this great social change has been effected within
TWO years, in spite Of the formidable opposition
of the Russian nobi ily. The fiat of one man,
supported BY few choice spirits, has accom-
plished all this. The revolution has been a
bloodless one no social disoiganizatiou has re-
suited; and even some Of its btterest opponents
begin now to admit that, as the operation had to
be performed some time, it was as we'll to do II
at once. They are now leai mug to adapt them
selves to the new order Of things.
"serf emancipation is of deep interest, for
the following considerations -
81. The anti slavery cause receives a power-
ful encouragement from it. 1t took many years'
agitation, and the expenditure of e20 O00, 900
sterling, TO emancipato 100000 slaves IN the
West Indies. American slavery has lasted 4
long time, and is still fearful blot; but in Rus
sia we have, in the short space of two years, the
emancipation Of 23000,00O of a fine race Of
peasants, who are physically and mentally, su.
perior to the negro race. The influence and ex-
ample Of these emancpated serIs will operate on
the world, and will show that, while SO beneh-
cial revolution has taken place successfully in
Russia, other countries may learn to go aud do
likewise. The serfs have shown, by their
peaceable demeanor, and by the avoiding any
violent excess, that they know how to appreci-
ate their newly-acquired liberty.
''2. The friends of constitutional government
have reason to rejoice in serf emancipation, as
forming the first instalment Of liberal institutions
in Russia Even the late Emperor Nicholas was
convinced that emancipation was necessary, but
he would not give IL, knowing that it would in
volve reform in all other departments of the
state; that the upheaying Of the masses would
affect every institution in Russia. AS serf eman-
cipation includes municipal institutions for the
peasantry, constitution, therefore, for all Rus
sia follows as corollary: and found, among
all intelligent Russians, the full conviction that
a constitution must naturally come in few years;
that as municipa! constitutions grow out Of
emancipation, SO provincial assemblies are the
result of municipal freedom, and constitutions
will bo the fruit Of provincial assemblies -
These steps are now being taken.
"3- Municipal institutions for all Russia are
the certain result have been delighted 10 see
how the peasantTy, by means Of the commune or
village elective council, regulate their own af-
fairs elect the chief of each village, have their
regular village meetings. l will explain this
more at large in q subsequent letter. But this
municipal liberty granted to peasants cannot be
limit0 10 them there will seon be muuicipal
bodies in every town in Russia. Moscow and
Petersburg, since the last two yeare, have been
granted mayors, elected by the citizens, without
the control of government, and also provincial
assemblies. As the next step, what has been
conceded to the peasants cannot be denied TO the
merchant and noble. These municipal institu-
lions are training schools for the peasantry they
enable them TO resist the oppression Of the noble
and the government employees; they also break
the force Of that Capitalization which has been
such a curse to Russia ana. they are nuclei 10
protect the weak against the vennl police Of Rus
sia FIR IN the peasants court oral evidence.
summary decision and publicity, form the rules
OF proceeding while simple and eheap code Of
law is adm nistered.
cd An honorary msgistracy and municipal
institutions serve a. training schools f5r Justices
of the peace, clnss who may exercise an i'm
portani influence in diminishing what has been
admitted 70 be the great curse Of Russin, VIZ
the yenality Of i'll pHid emplo, ees, and bribery
To carry uat the kmauo patton Act, fifteen hun
dred unpaid Justices Of th. peace we're nominated
by government The adm nistraton of these
men, who were selected for their character and
public spirit, hns generally given satisfaction,
and it is intended that they shall be continued,
to discharge similar duties to those Of county
magistrates in England. | atteuded several Of
their monthly session in the interior Of Russia
and they are we'll spoken Of, their labours are
as successful as those If similar class Of honor
ary magistrates In India.
80 The cause of education is identified with
emancipation. Already, within two years MOI
than 5000 new schools have spruog into exist
ence through individual efforts among the peas
antry, and they are rapidly on the increase.-
The peasant is anxious to be able to read the
laws by which he is governed; besides the ele-
walton Of his social position through emanepa-
| tion gives him the means we'll as the inolina.
tion 10 learn to read The example Of peasant
elevation in other parts Of Europe confirms this.
In Russia, before emancipation, there was scarce
ly day-school among tho peasantry but these
1000 schools have arisen spontaneously from
the wish of the peasants, aided by the clergy
and gentry. The Emperor Nicholas allowed
only colleges and universities and that to a very
limited degree; serf emancipation iuauEurates
the education Of the MASSES
SO. Religious progress is deeply connected
with an enlightened and independent peasaniry
who will not be the victims of superstition or
priestoraft. Religion follows in the train Of civil
liberty. With the fall of feudsl tyranny, priest
ly exaotions and nominations must cease
thak