THE FIRST PARLIAMENT IN RUSSIA.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 131, 21 January 1859, Page 3

THE FIRST PARLIAMENT IN RUSSIA.

The Emperor of Russia has signed a decree convoking a Parliament of the Russian nobility, and has been travelling into the western part of the empire for the purpose of lecturing, more or less severely, such of his nobles as are opposed to the abolition of serfdom. In the following speech, addressed by his Majesty, to the nobility of Nishni Novgorod, his scolding tones are sharpened into threats.—

"Gentlemen, —I rejoice in expressing my personal graHMide for the patriotism by which the nobility of Nishni Novgorod has been always distinguished. Whenever our fatherland called, you were among the first-to obey her voice. Even in the lute disastrous war you were the first to answer my summons, and to act like pious Russians. Your militia was among the best. And- now, again, I-thank you for being, the first to respond to my call m that-weighty affair of the amelioration in the position of the peasantry.'. I accordingly desired to distinguish you, and receive the deputies you sent to speak to me on the subject, General S'he'remetieff and Potemkine. I charged them to thank you, and transmit to you my views and wishes ; and I have no doubt they fulfilled my commission. You know that my.i\\ta is the common'welfare of the empire, and I tell you that it belongs to you to'balance public with private interest in this weighty affair. But I hear with regret of a spirit of selfishness having sprung up among you. Selfishness is the destruction or" all things. It is a pity such should be the case. Away with your egotism! I trust in you. I trust there will be no more, of these selfish views, and then our common .affair-will .progress. I know you have taken up ycur labors (in the Provincial Peasant Question Committee) zealously, and much has been deliberated by-,yon. Go on! To-day, Jiowover, the. term of your labors expires, and you have not yet finished. Knowing this to be the case, I have agreed to prolong the term until the Ist (13th) October. By October, however, you will have d Hie—no doubt, about that— will not you, gentlemen? I confide in you; 1 trust you will not disappoint me. I. have prescribed the way. Do not swerve from the principles laic) down in my edicts and the programme 1 gave you for the. arrangement of the matter. Gentlemen, act well for yourselves, and not badly for others. Consider your own interests, without, forgetting those of others. I trust you, hoping all the while you will not disappoint my confidence. It is by-fulfilling .and conscientiously accomplishing this labor that you will once more manifest your, love to me, yourdevotedne.su to your county, and those disinterested efforts for the public good by "which the men of Nishni Novgorod have been for ever distinguished. Gentlemen, I feel myself happy in being once more amongst you after an interval of twenty-one years." .