The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-03-21
Russian Characteristics.

The whole Government of Russia
has been toned down from the Russia
of twenty years ago. witnessed in
st. Petersburg the reception of the EN-
perOr upon his return from this war.
After leaving his carriage to go to his
palace the people crowded around him
and pushed him about as Americans
would politician. The reception
was the most enthusiastic l ever saw,
and he seemed to enjoy it thoroughly.
1t is true that some of the poorer
classes of Russians are very ignorant,
and the Nation itself is not so far adj
vanced in civilization as other Euro
pean Nations are, but it must be con-
sidcred what Il vast area of population
there is to reach and civilizc. The re-
sources of the country are infinite. In
the neighborhood of the Caspian
Sea there are rivers of petroleum run
ming away, and the mineral wealth of
the country is enormous. But the
Russians have not the energy which
Americans possess, hence the great
bulk of this wealth lies undeveloped.
They import petroleum from this
country. The people are more con-
sentative and careful in taking risks
than Americans are, although many
rise from the lowest conditions to po-
sitions of aflluence, and some make
their fortunes rapidly. A shrewd, ig-
norant fellow will crop out there and
become rich, just as they do in America.
They have not the great inventive
faculty of Americans and other peo-
pies, and they are not very quick to
adapt the Improvements of other Ma
tons to their own nsc. For example,
in their immense grain trade they do
not use elevators, but handle this prod
uct 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. Beside, it usually
goes to market in bags, while in En-
gland 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 igno-
rant, while the higher classes in the
cities are as much enlightened as those
of any other Nation. Not many speak
the English language, but there is and
always has been very friendly senti-
ment on the part of the Russians to-
ward our country. The cause of some
parts of the population being SO highly
civilized and other parts rather be-
nighted may be accounted for in the
fact that the race, spread over such an
immense area of country, is not easily
reached and centralized. But with
their mineral wealth and other re-
sources there is an immense prospec-
tive power belonging to them. 1t is
this that makes other Nations anxious
and uneasy in issues like the present.
1t is this that Napoleon the First had
before him when he spoke about his
ultimately getting into his possession
all of Asia Minor. The Russians de-
velop slowly, as is the case with all
great Nations. They are badly priest
ridden, and that, probably, is a cause
that keeps them back. Out of the 365
days of the year 1 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 untiring efforts
to promote the good of his people,
E1-Mi,sister Boxer in the Philadelphia
Times.