The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-07
DANA ON RUSSIA.

Mr.. Charles A. Dana of the New YORK
Sun has just returned from tour through
Russia, and has given an account OF his
Impressions to reporter of the New York
Times. Mr.. Dana is admirably equipped
to be useful traveller. His mind, which
was always clear, has been enriched by
an experience which has fallen to the lot
of few men of his day.
That portion of his observations which
is most novel and most interesting relates
| to his visit to Kiev and Moscow and to his
railroad journey of 800 miles between the
two cities. Kiev is chiefly known as the
site of the terrible persecution of the
Jews. some twelve years ago. To this Incl
dent in its history Mr.. Dana makes 10 refer
ence. But he observes that its population
has grown in thirty years from $4,000 to
100000 and that it seems a more modern
and handsomer city than Chicago or San
Francisco. He observes that its principal
business appears to be the manufacture of
refined sugar from beet roots and the
brewery business Kiev is. In fact.
primary market for the grain of Little
Russia, which is carried down from that
center by way of the Dnieper to Odessa.
This traffic is probably more important to
KIev than sugar-refining. From Kev to
Moscow the railroad runs through level
country, not unlike the prairies of Illinois,
except that it grows no corn; the farm
houses, which are grouped in villages,
were better than the traveller expected to
find, none of them being tumble-down. ill
thaIched or decaying buildings. The
whole country impressed the observer as
being prosperous and we'll cultivated. 1t
was observed that no castles or baronial
keeps were to be seen.
Moscow is a remarkable city of 800,0 900
people, and still growing. 1t contains 500
churches and more are being built all the
time. 1t is seat of manufactures; every
body seems to be busy, and no drunken
men are seen in the streets. In an archi-
tectural point Of view it is one of the
finest cities in the world. There is moth
ing outside Of Russia to compare with the
interior decorations of the great cathedrals,
which are gorgeous with gold and silver
and gems and masterpieces of art. The
music which is heard there is very fine,
though no instruments are employed and
no sounds are heard but those of human
voices.
1t seems to be conceded that the emanci-
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been followed by the effects which were
expected. When the Serfs were set free
they were transferred to communal organ
izations, which have done nothing to make
them self-reIying and self-dependent;
thus, for them, ths revolution was a mere
change of masters. Intelligent Russians
nope for better things in the future, but 1t
must be remembered that the emanclpa-
ton of the serfs only sntedated the eman-
cpaton of the slaves in this country by
year or two. and it is time that new Rus
sian people. intelligent and self-reliant,
were growing up.
Perhaps the intensity of the religious
sentiment in Russia may account in part
for the passivity of the peasant class.
Speaking of the people he saw, Mr.. Dana
says:
They are always present at the services Of
their church and take part in them with fer
vency which belongs TO a religion that is not
only believed, but which controls the affections
and the heart OF the wOrshper. In the mani
lestations 1 witnessed, not only the peasants
but rich and important people, took part in
them, bowling their heads to the pavement and
kneeling and crossing themselves alongside of
heggars. 1t Is a most democratic spectacle
that is seen in any Russian church, not merely
on great occasions, but at ordinary services.