The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1877-07-12

of the common meals, and here at
night they slept upon the floor. In
the open space were held the general
assemblies for the yearly election of
the Ataman or chief, aud for the dis
cussion of all important questions
touching the public veal. The as
semblies were all noisy, and some
times ended in hloodshed, for the Zapo-
rogztzi We're little accustomed to self
control, and quick to resent fancied
insult from friend or foe. Here, too,
might be seen in ordinary peaceful
times little groups of Cossacks, some
times in state of semi-intoxication
strolling about with their beloved
"lukp' ttohaeeo-pipesl, or basking
iazilv in the sunshine and talking
over the prospects Of the fishing sea-
son or perhaps some intended raid on
the Tartar aouls. Beyond this space.
which might be called the forum, was
a smaller inclosure containing the
public treasury, the residence of the
Atanlan, their military chief-a mod
est wooden house scarcely better than
that Of European peasant-and a
church dedicated to the Virgin. With
in these two Enclosures no woman was
ever allowed 10 enter. The Cossacks
Of the Don, the Nolga, and the Yak
had somewhat different organiza-
/ finn sHhara
but the people lived IN villages. and
assembled as necessity demanded. As
they were completely beyond the
sphere of the Polish influence, they
knew nothing about "knightly hon
or" and similar ideas that prevailed
among their brethren of the Dnieper
They even adopted many Tartar Gus
toms, and loved in times of peace to
strut about in gorgeous Tartar eos
tunes. Resides this, they were near
ly all emigrants from Great Russia,
and mostly old ritualists or sectarians,
while the Zaporogztzi were little Rus
slams and therefore orthodox.
Owing to their predatory habits and
the fury with which they fought
when their incursions met with resis-
tance, the Cossacks were for centuries
a serious annoyance TO their rneighbors,
the Russians, Poles. Turks and Tar
tars. Occasionally, however, accord
ing to caprice or i'm the hope of plum
der, they would place themselves un-
der the protection of one or the other
of their powerful neighbors, and for
time that nation at least would be
free from the constant and irritating
attacks made by these lawless tribes.
Russia was generally preferred, on
account of the similarity of her relig-
ion with their own, Mohammedan-
ism being sincerely despised by the
Cossacks. In the armies of whatever
temporary master they chose to select
they We're always distinguished by
their bravery and the absolute aban-
don with which they fought when
once in the presence of the enemy.
In the time of Catherine ii. Russia
began to find the power and restless
ness Of her quondam allies intolerable.
Tie Gassaclsss organized, ono or. two
formidable instructions, and invari-
ably chose the time when she was in
volved in difficulties with other ma
tions TO harass her borders. The re-
suit was a determination on the part
..f tho at D.t
TO crush the strength of the Cossacks. |
After a severe struggle, in which these
bold warriors exhibited all the hero
ism and endurance common among
men fighting for their liberty, they
were finally compelled TO lay down !
their arms before Russia. All the |
Cossacks We're deprived of their indie |
pendence, but the fate of the commun-
tiles was different. Those of the Yaik |
and the Don were allowed to remain |
in their old homes, but those of the
Volga were forced to move southwark
to the borders of the Terek. The COM
munities of the rnieper were also for
cibly disbanded The majority fed |
to Turkey, where some of their de-
scendants may still be found, but a
large number settled upon the banks
of the kuban--a river which rises in |
Mount Elburz, and after running
through the mountains and valleys of
the Caucasus, divides itself into three |
streams. two of which empty into the |
Sea OF Azov, and the third and most |
considerable into the Black Sea. In |
this position the Cossacks have done |
good service to Russia by constant
Western Caucasus.