The Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY, JUNE I8, 1879.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 155, 18 June 1879, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1879.

The present state of the Russian Empire is perilous in the extreme. In 1848, when almost every State in Europe was on its trial, Prussia could only maintain its existence by the power of the iron hand of tyranny. Despotism was submitted to because the people were in a state of ignorance and serfdom. Education, although fairly common amongst the upper and middle classes, was an accomplishment only heard of by the lower classes. If the serfs could manage to till their bit of land and satisfy the demands of the Government, they were content. If they could eek out a bare existence for themselves it was their utmost ambition. Grumble they might, but to indulge in anything like a bold opposition to the Government -was out of the question. Occasionally a rising amongst the student class would take place, hut only to have the yoke put upon their necks the more tightly. Now, however, the case is quite different. Railroads and telegraph, and steam communication from place to place by sea, has provided an opportunity for exchange of thought and word. With this came the demand for education, which the Government could no longer ■withhold from them. With education their eyes were opened, and when comparing their- own condition with that of that of the more enlightened nations, they came to see their own low and degraded sta+c. From that moment discontent spread ; life to them became a burden. They were only wasting their energies for the benefit of others without a single improvement or even prospect for themselves. Travellers who were privileged to visit other countries —such as England —came back with gloving accounts of the liberty and independence of the subjects. Enquiry was stimulated, a craving for freedom became general, and had not the Government being far-seeing enough to discern the signs of the times and to promptly take steps to divert the attention of the populace from this subject, a conflagration would then have taken place which would, as hitherto, doubtless have proved premature,, , Activity amongst the class of artisans followed this period of discontent. Employment became abundant, wages advanced, and the necessaries of life were acquired with less hard toil. All this tended to make the lower classes contented. The old saying with regard to the best condition or fighting trim of the British nation became exemplified—a Scotchman with his stomach full, an Englishman with his stomach empty, and an Irishman half drunk is said to be in the best trim for war. 'So with the Russians, as well as the Austrians ; give them their daily bread, and in the latter case an ample supply of amusement, and there will be heard little complaint from any quarter. During the years that were thus passing-—which succeeded the Crimean war —the middle classes in Russia wore bettering their positions, and all went as merry as a marriage bell. Intercourse with other nations became a pasttime more and more indulged in : with this state of prosperity the old spirit of aggression inherent in Ihc ruling powers in Russia again came to the front, .Prosperity breeds ambition, and pride pre-

sumption, as it h:is done from time inirhem'drial, ami like as ever, it also ■-goes’before a fall. At the high pressure to’ which, tile Russian Empire was now worked up, ’an outlet must be provided speedily or the consequences must be serious. At this juncture Alexander turned his attention towards his sickly neighbour. Although his father had been conquered and crushed in the Crimea, he had long ago passed from the scenes of strife, and be and others with him bad well nigh been forgotten. But the will and last testament of Catherine the Great must never be forgotten. One condition of that will and testament was, that every succeeding monarch must solemnly swear, on ascending the •In-one, that ho will allow no opportunity to pass when there is any chance of extending the kingdom without embracing it. Whether or not the great-Catherine could read the characters and discern the temperament of the Russian people better than her predecessors, and consequently foresee the necessity of keeping the army well employed, or Avhether it was the impulse of her own ambitious heart that prompted her to dictate these conditions we are not prepared to say ; in whichever case, she left a legacy that following princes or princesses are expected to attend to. Alexander, seeing the necessity of a diversion, turned his attention towards his sickly neighbour. Constan tinople, with its bristling cannon, has always been a standing menace; like another Morcidia it was always standing in the gate. The proud Russian rulers became more impatient for (he removal of this obstruction which lay in the way of her road to royal honour. Victorious over the brave Circassian, successful in their campaign against the noble Poles, they became restless and impatient for the consummation of their glorious victories What was all the victories over the Cir_ cassians to them, they'were only a half-civilised-race ? What was the victory over half a kingdom of Poland to them. Austria shared the glory. All this was nothing so long as this wretched, sickly, despised, half-naked Mordicia is allowed to exist. He must be destroyed or my happiness will not be complete. The image of this obstacle was always present in the mind of the great autocrat, and before his peace is perfected it must be removed. Constantinople or its menacing power-must be removed, and its mocking Sultan made to bow the knee to me and acknowledge me as the man whom the great ones of the earth desire to honor Intrigue, dissemulation, falsehood, and fraud, have ever been characteristic of the scheming Muscovite, and like as in individual cases, ever dissatisfying in its results, the campaign against Turkey not excepted. Wearied of inaction the Russian army heard with pleasure the command to march forward and invade Turkey. The opinion prevalent at the time that Turkey was on her last legs favored Ibis advance, and possibly the Russian Emperor expected an easy victory. The surprise of the world at the valour of the Turk was substantially felt in the numerous and serious defeats of the Russian array in a way she had not bargained for. Russia has now, however, entered another phase in her history, the army are bordering upon a state of subordination, the Government are screwing tighter and lighter the iron yoke, but the power of kings are passing from them, and byo-and-bye there will be a crash heard which' will startle all Europe, but which will only be the beginning of the end of monarchial rule. The people are now finding out that kings and queens are too expensive toys. Even in England there is an under stratum which, however much those in power may appear to disregard, is nevertheless, as they well know, a dangerous sign of the times. Should anything happen to our beloved Queen who will be bold enough to predict the result. The English are a patient law observing community, but when they find a few fatten upon the land at the expense of the mass their ability to compare tilings seen with things hitherto unseen, through-a liberal education will undoubtedly stimulate them to resist extravagance and waste even in a royal household. The people forming the bone and shine of Russia arc banding together in a way that no power on earth can destroy. Revolution must take place in Russia, and that very soon. Like as in the case of the last King of France, that monarch by oppression and tyranny believed he could crush out the spirit of rebellion, yet within a few weeks he had to flee for his life, under the guise of the very party winch he chose to despise as the plain Joe Smith. Russia at the present moment is settled on the top of a volcano ; at any moment the long pent-up storm may burst forth, causing death and devastation, similar to that which wc are accustomed to hear of from day to daj T . In the. natural world no hand of man can stop the eruption or say unto it what doest thou. So in the social world, certain laws,’the observance of which secure tlio immunity from evil of those blessed by • being under its influence, hut which disregarded must, and will in the long run, destroy that which, binds together, and tbe resuit being like the volcano in the natural world vent will be given to an outburst which all human agency will be powerless to put down. Russia, is in that unfortunate condition, military preparations are extensive, a powerful aristocracy arc ruling will) a high hand, but

at the same Imie there is an under sfratunh whose influence, is also great, even greater than the magnets of . ,the laud seem to think.'---' Soon we ’may see practical ly-illus-trated the words of the poet, when man to man shall brothers be, the world o’er for a’ that. Wo shall return (o this subject again by-and-bye.