Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-11-29

speaking, serve as contemporary
authority for the traditional policy of
Russia. Yet so constant has been
the tendency towards territorial ex-
tension and absolute government.
that even Margaret, though writing
at time when the country was has.
tening to decline, felt deeply impressed
not only by the vastness of its geo.
graphical extent and its military re-
sources, but also by the restless ambi-
ton which prompted the barbarian
autocrats to aspireto imperial honors
and European Importance.
IT we were to draw any differences
from the more than secuar-because
almost rnillenary-poIicy of Russian
czars, we should come to the conclu
sion that the appropriation of Constan,
tinople by them may. after all, be still
averted. Sometimes the accomplish
ment of the design has seemed near
enough, but gigantic catastrophe
has as often averted it. Autocratic
policy was powerful enough to move
the stolid mass of the Muscovite pop
ulation tor the purpose OF conquest
and INSCRIPTIONS enough to harl the
savage tribes of the farthest Aslatlc
deserts against the countries of Eas-
tern Europe. But what the czars were
unable 10 inspire their subjects with
has been the noble instinct of enter
prisisg migration and colonization, the
intelligence of mind necessary for fer
tilizing territorial conquests, and con
vertng them into valuable posses
sions. Even in the mere warike spir-
1t required for system of encroaeh~
ment the Muscovite people have eyer
been deficient. Their great successes
have generally been won more by fos
tering dissensions among the enemy
by diplomatic influences, by the Law
ish use OF gold, and by the skill OF
foreigners taken into Russian service,
rather than by their native Muscovite
prowess When invaded on her own
soil, Russia had recourse to the aid of
natures forces, availing herself of the
barrenness of the country and the rig
or of the climate. As to the boast
contained in the spurious "Last viii
of Peter )" that the vigorous races of
Russia similar to the Germanic tribes,
will inundatc the countries OF the
west, east, and north, we need only
point to the thinness Of the population
OF Muscovy proper, and to the utter
absence Of a wandering impulse
among them The most superficial
observer must see through the utter
fallaciousness ola pretended slmilari-
ty between, on the one hand, the
youthful, freedom adventurous Ger
manic races of the migrations, who
scarcely knew kingly authority; and
on the other, that enthralled mass of
Muscovite subjects who have success
svely submitted Khazan, Varangian,
and Mongol supremacy, and whose
government not unfrequently remind
ed one of the worst era of Roman I'm
perators. A comparison between
Russia and the United States is there
fore certainly out of question.
Latterly Russia has made some
steps IN advance In internal improve
ment, mainly in consequence of her
defeat by the allied Western Powers
The emancipation of serfs is great
move at which all the friends of hu'
manity must rejoice, though it is no
secret that the Gar carried it out
from desire of diminishing the
wealth of those mobiles who, in com
mon with a portion of the towns pop
ulation, were striving for the intre-
duction of some sort of parliamentary
government. No sooner, however,
has Russia made those steps in adj
vance than her rulers have resumed
their aggressive policy in Central Asia
thus trying once more to divert the
attention of the nation from progress
at home to territorial conquests
abroad.