Mr. Clay to Mr. Seward
Sir: The emancipation of the Russian serfs has so far proved a success. Turbulence on the part of the liberated, and revolutionary attempts on the side of their late masters, are no longer thought of. Society moves steadily on in its new career. The Emperor has ordered the soldiers of all the regiments to be instructed by regimental officers, and old and young have made great progress. The village priests are also allowed pay for teaching the peasants, and independent schools are rapidly increasing. The aristocracy who exhausted the empire by “absenteeism” now return to their estates. Russia reaps the double advantage of interested labor and more intelligent direction. Rapid advances are made in the introduction of new processes and machinery in farming; ship-building and general manufactures are increased, monopolies abolished, telegraphs and railroads extended; the American system of street railroad is introduced into St. Petersburg, even into the most fashionable streets; the bonds of caste are being broken down, and the rank of the nobles and the wealth of the laboring class begin to mingle in marriage; the liberal policy of the Emperor, I know by personal observation, has infused new life into Finland; the same policy begins to bear fruit in Poland; the whole empire has entered on a new career of more liberal institutions and fixed forms. I doubt not that the imperial policy now looks to an ultimate constitutional empire. * * Russia shares with them her franchises, amalgamates with them, and civilizes [Page 288] them. The world should not regard her progress into Asia with distrust, but gratification. The new life must come from the west, and Russia is the only nation which can give it. No people are making more advances comparatively than the Russians in the fine and useful arts, in science and letters, and in general intelligence. A great destiny lies before her; let us be careful for our own sakes, and the cause of humanity, to reciprocate her friendly sentiments towards us. * * * * * * * *
The renomination of Mr. Lincoln inspires new confidence in national success. * * * * * * There is a moral fitness in the continuation of Abraham Lincoln in office, till the rebellion is suppressed. It was the revolt of conservative error against progressive right of the few, against the many, of the aristocracy against the people. Jefferson Davis represents the one idea, Abraham Lincoln the other; personally and politically half the fruits of our hard struggle would be lost under any other leader. I rejoice in his nomination, and have confidence in his triumph in the elections and in the war.
Your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.