The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-05-23
lilIsburaugb Rstarusr,
WEDNESDAY. MAY 20. 1877.
russia.

principal party to the war which has just
opened. And Ia doing 50. We may be able
70 correct some false impressions which bave
naturally arisen as the overwhelming supe-
riority Of the population Of Russia
rs compared with that Of Turkey The 9TH
er nafty to the war.
Russia is known 10 the commercial and
diplomatic world principally through its
European connections. lie. its vast Euro
pean territory is less than half Of what it
coatrols IN Asia. The Former lies in the
North Eastern posion Of E.r1pe with an
area in square miles Of about two millions
and half. being nearly as large as all the
rest Of that continent; while in Asia. its
possessions extend from the Ural Mountains
on the West to the Pacific on the East
and from the North Sea to the Chinese
frontier, tue whole Empire having length
from East to West Of 6.6Sl miles AMI
breadth from North to South of 2.62S
miles.
The population is supposed to be about
seventy Eve millions. of which not quite
eight millions are 10 Asiatic Russia. This
estimate gives very small proportion to
the square mile and leaves the impression
on tile MUD of wilderness thinly peopled
and little dependent upon the aids and arts
of civilization And thisis true to grea-
ter extent thanis usually conceived. for the
impression made By the magnifcence o. its
Capitals, and the cultivation Of its educat-
ed men lead to the conclusion that Russia
is not behind any other European State in
refinement. The truth is, that the civili-
zation Of Russia is Fictitious. II did not
grow upward as that of other nations. from
the people. but was forced upon that peo-
pie by the enlightenment and ambition Of
far seeing rulers. Peter the Great. himself
savage IN manners. but giant in intel
lect. and Napoleon in ambition. dashed
. his barbarian subjects into semblance Of
modern progress compelled them. as slaves.
to do the bidding Of despot's will, aud
urged them on to measures for which they
bad 10 inclination. Tie spirit Of Peter
has animated his successors. The legacy
ofambitious aggrandIzement has been faith
fully treasured. and the schemes which in
famed the brain Of Peter, steadily burn in
the hearts 81 his successors. But the peoS
pie would. Of their own choice, fall back
into the incident habits Of the half reclaim.
ed savage. That's indeed The condition Of
the rural population. For they are not Of
the Caucasian 81 Aryan stock, bat Of 40
UDgrian or Asiaiic race, blood little apt
10 be fred By ambition to improve. Yet
it is Submissive race, with reyerent affec-
tion for their Gar, and obedient without .
murmar 10 the direst exactions upon theiI
personal services. and upon thar peeuniarJ
abilities. Hence is, that while eminent.
Is a peaceful people, ayerse to war or con.
tention Of any kind, they are always ODE
dent to demands for military service. and
the successive rulers have bad no difficulty
10 filling up The ranks Of their armies Z
carry oft their grand SCHEMES Of territorial
acquisition. For, let it Be remembered,
that not two hundred years $50, Peter con.
tended for national existence with the pet.
" kingdom Of Sweden. lie conquered the
army Of that kingdom at Pultowa, and be-
gan that r:upendous system Of addition Il
bis empire which. under bis successors has
never been suffered to flag which absorbed
The DeigbboriDg small states 10 Europe
which spread Russian dominion OseI
Northern Asia; which. in latter days, ha'
absorbed Csucasia, and pushed itself to th'
border, Of British India and which now i
trying again the often defeated ..tenaciously
cherished atiemp. on Turkey.
There Is much holioaness Of rreteLse il
the reasons Russia advances for the war Of
Turkey IL j. the thin veil Of religion
real thrown over the stern purposes Of inss
table ambition. Ii that point Of view
which takes in Russia a. = continually ex
banding empire. there seems 70 be neees
sity Why sac should possess turkey. Rus
sia is practically cul %. except BY the suf
fsranse Of Turkey. from al connection O
NE South si,h tbs ports q The world Sd
has the Black Sea. bet the entrance Of iba
Is controlled Absolutely BY The forts % th
Basphorss She must get out. Or The rich
.: Of Der Interests must perrin.
Bot il would not 40 70 proclaim her res