A VOICE FROM THE DEAD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 240, 7 December 1877, Page 19

A VOICE FROM THE DEAD.

If thebe are a people who are duly qualified by bitter experience to address words of warning to the Bulgarian nation it is the Poles. They, too, have been " emancipated " by Kussia ; they, too, are enjoying the blessings which it is in the power of the Czar to confer ; *nl ejr ' vOo'v Oo ' £ are rea P ed fche harvest of the principle of Panslavism. lhey have been delivered from intestine divisions by a Muscovite autocracy ; they have been taught true lessons of Christianity by the Imperial Head of the Greek Church ; they have been instructed in civilization, progress, and the Gospel by the Government that resides at Saint Petersburg. They can offer just a hundred years 1 testimony of what Russian rule is like ; and it is with this body of evidence in their hands that, at this juncture, they address the Bulgarians. They remind them that Russia entered Poland as she now enters Bulgaria, with professions of friendship, and as the friend of religious liberty harbouring no selfish objects. Many Poles listened to the plea, and accepted the proffered assistance as eagerly as the Bulgars of to-day. What has been the result ? Does Poland enjoy religious liberty 1 Can she boast of autonomy ? Where are her national institutions ? Who is it that writes of her prosperity ? Has Poland its own literature, its own language? " The very reverse of these blessings," says the address of the Polish Society to the Bulgarian nation, "has been the result of Russian friendship." Poland, before Russia interfered on her behalf, possessed a free Constitution, She has now no Constitution whatever. Before Russia befriended her Poland knew nothing of a, conscription. Now her sons are dragged from their homes in order to assist Russia m extending her dominions over the independent races or Asia. Our language— a language possessing a rich literature— is now proscribed even in courts of justice. Polish children must be instructed in Russian only, and educated, if at all— where they can be educated— with a much larger number of Russian children, in order tJiat they may be Russianised. No Christian Church is safe in Russia except the Russian Church, which is governed from St. Petersburg" voices from the grave are supposed to be peculiarly solemn and instructive, and Poland's is a voice from the grave. She is buried, apparently, beyond resurrection, and Russia sits upon her tomb.— Standard. r