The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-03-27
Russian Characteristics.

Ex-minister Boxer tells the Philadel.
phia Times something about Russian
characteristics as follows: The whole
government of Russia has been toned
down from the Russia of twenty years
ago. T witnessed in st. Petersburg the
reception or the emperor upon his re-
turn from the war. After leaving his
carriage to 20 to his palace the people
crowded around him and pushed him
about as Americans would q politician.
The reception was the most enthusiastic
ever saw, and he seemed to enjoy it
thoroughly.
It is true that some of the poorer
classes of Russians are very ignorant,
and the nation itself is not so far ad-
vanced in civilization as other European
nations are, but it must be considered
what vast area of population there is
to reach and civilize. The resources of
the country are infinite. In the neigh
borhood of the Caspian sea there are
rivers of petroleum running away, and
the mineral wealth Of the country is en-
ormous. But the Russians have not the
energy which Americans possess, hence
the great bulk of this wealth lies unde-
veloped. They import petroleum from
this country. The people::are more con-
servatiye and careful in taking risks
than Americans are, although many riso
from the lowest conditions to positions
of afauence, and some make their for
tunes rapidly. A. shrewd ignorant fel-
low will crop out there, and become rich,
Just as they do in America.
They have not the gfeat inventive fac
ulty Of Americans and other peoples,
and they are not very quick to adapt the
improvements Of other nations to their
own use. For example, in their I'M
mense grain trade they do not use eleva-
tors, but handle this product altogether
with shovels., They lose time in this
way, and when their grain does get into
the market it is generally dirty and sells
for less than it would otherwise bring.
Besides it usually goesto marketin bags,
while in England and America they ship
it in bulk, which makes it less liable to
spoil. &. -,
The people in the interior provinces of
Russia are, some OF them, very Ignorant,
while the higher classes in the cities are
as much enlightened as those OF any
other nation. Not many speak the Eng
ish language, but there is, and always
has been, a very friendly sentiment on
the part of the Russians toward our
country. The cause Of some parts Of
the population being so highly civilized
and other parts rather benighted may be
accounted for in the fact that the race,
spread over such an immense area of
country, is not easily reached and CEN
tralized. But with their mineral wealth
and other resources there is an immense
prospective power belonging to them.
It is this that makes other nations anx-
ious and uneasy in issues like the pre-
sent It is this that Napoleon the First
had before him when he spoke about his
ultimately getting into possession of all
Asia Minor. The 'Russinrs develop
slowly, as is the case with all great
nations. Out of the three hundred and
sixty-fve days of the year forget how
many holidays they keep, but they are
great many, and the giving of their time
to these observances is an immense
waste. But too much praise cannot be
bestowed upon Alexander for his untir-
ing efforts TO promote the good of his
people. ... -.