New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-04
THE MARCH OF RUSSIA TO THE SEA.

i
| "A government 80 powerful as Russia
60 despotic, SO systematic in her pul
poses, must comprehend all the depar,
ments Of industry and all the compile
ments Of commerce. While all Norther,
Europe were barbarians, and all the pee
Piles in bondage, Russia and Prussia coul,
well maintain their despotism anon,
Others no more free and enlightened
than themselves. When, however, othe
nations developed the resources of lib
Grated people, the inferiority OF a stupit
and tyrannical nobility, with An army o
wretched serfs, was too evident. TIL,
ambitious plans Of conquest which thu
Car had inherited from Attila or Tam
erlane, were arrested by the intelligence
and discipline of modern Europe. Fred
erick, of Prussia, and Peter, of Russia,
were the first of their respective dynasties
to perceive the vast force of intelligence
and Of personal freedom. Each of these
potentates introduced the mechanic arts
each invited to his court the Swans OF
Europe; each, in due time, liberated and
educated his people; each is now at the
head of an intellectual and material sys-
tenn which commands the respect, per-
haps, the apprehension of all Europe.
Russia had essayed to carry her empire
to the tropics, through the gateway of the
Bosphorus. She received a severe and
significant check from the allies at Se-
bastopol. She returned to her first fast
nesses, only to apply the lesson she had
learned and supply the defects which the
more rapid progress of others had devel-
oped in the mode of action. She has built
fleets and fortified ports. She has spread
q web of railways throughout her whole
territory. She has introduced and en-
couraged the manufacture of cloth, iron
and arms. She has offered attractive pre-
miums to learned and skillful men of all
other countries. She has liberated her
serfs, and elevated them to the platform
Of equality, intelligence and usefulness.
Russia is again prepared to execute the
traditional policy-on to the tropics.
Only Russia has prepared for two ways of
strategetic advances instead of one. Con-
stantinople is way station on the one
Calcutta is one of the termini upon the
other. The necessity that Russia
should have control of the un-
:axed products of Asia in exchange
or her own northern products must be
satisfied. The apprehension that this ne
'essity may be met by an advance upon
he line of the Danube and the Dardanelles
las always alarmed England. and has
'een the. basis of her Eastern policy.
Governed by constitution, she has affili-
ted with the despotism of Turkey and
Persia. Having assured entire freedom
f religion to her citizens, liberated her
wn slaves and sympathized with the lib.
ration of ours, England has maintained |
be closest relations with fatalism, slavery |
nd polygamy. She, almost alone of the
'uropean powers, has hesitated to d.
ounce the fanaticism and barbarism
racticed toward the Christians Of Servia.
o the joint Intervention of other Chris
an and humane powers she proposes to
'rtify and garrison the capital of des-
otic and imbecile Turkey. With the
rst demonstration of the Northern powers
occupy the provinces of the Rhine,
ngland will guard and guarantee the
nal of Suez.
1t is not however, upon this line that
Q especial danger of England will arise
the case of hostilities with Russia.
thin few years Russia has completed
r strategetic preparations to reach the
'pics. Her railroad system supports
} yolga, which, with its tributaries,
ains into the Caspian seq the pro-
cts of an immense area. The occupa-
n OF independent Taztary, with the con-