I do not propose entering into a discussion of the Polish question, as it would occupy too much space and be foreign to the object of my book; but I will briefly touch a few points.  The Russians and Poles were not inclined to amiability when both had separate governments.  Europe has never been converted to Republican principles, and however much the Western powers may sympathize with Poland, they would be unwilling to adopt for themselves the policy they desire for Russia.  England holds India and Ireland, regardless of the will of Indians and Irish.  France has her African territory which did not ask to be taken under the tri-color, and we are all aware of the relations once held by her emperor toward Mexico.  It is much easier to look for generosity and forbearance in others than in ourselves.

Those who are disposed to shed tears over the fate of Poland, should remember that the unhappy country has only suffered the fortune of war.  When Russia and Poland began to measure swords the latter was the more powerful, and for a time overran a goodly portion of the Muscovite soil.  We all know there has been a partition of Poland, but are we equally aware that the Russia of Rurik and Ivan IV. was partitioned in 1612 by the Swedes (at Novgorod) and the Poles (at MOSCOW?) In 1612 the Poles held Moscow.  The Russians rose against them in that year, just as the Poles have since risen against the Russians, but with a different result.

The Polish exiles of 1881 and previous years were pardoned by the same ukase that liberated the Russian exiles of 1825.  Just before the insurrection of 1863 there were not many Poles in Siberia, except those who remained of their own free will.  The last insurrection caused a fresh deportation, twenty-four thousand being banished beyond the Ural Mountains.  Ten thousand of these were sent to Eastern Siberia, the balance being distributed in the governments west of the Yenesei.  The decree of June, 1867, allowed many of these prisoners to return to Poland.

The government has always endeavored to scatter the exiles and prevent their congregating in such numbers as to cause inconvenience.  The prime object of deportation to Siberia is to people the country and develop its natural wealth.  Though Russia occupies nearly an eighth of the land on the face of the globe, her population numbers but about seventy millions.  It is her policy to people her territory, and she bends her energies to this end.  She does not allow the emigration of her subjects to any appreciable extent, and she punishes but few crimes with death.  Notwithstanding her general tolerance on religious matters, she punishes with severity a certain sect that discourages propagation.  There are other facts I might mention as illustrations were it not for the fastidiousness of the present age.  Siberia is much more in need of population than European Russia, and exiles are sent thither to become inhabitants.