Insecure Rule Of Russia In The Caucasus

INSECURE RULE OF RUSSIA IN THE CAUCASUS

Surely we may expect that the day is not far distant, when these interesting countries will be thrown open to the enterprise of those nations, who have lent the aid of their money and their arms to depose that power which has so long and so arbitrarily opposed a barrier to the progress of enlightenment and free institutions among the nations. May we not expect that the gallant inhabitants of the Caucasus will be declared independent, and their beautiful country become the magnet of attraction to all the tourists of Europe? What a field will then be open to the lover of the picturesque, the mineralogist, the botanist, the geologist, and those interested in the history of nations, in the study of the legendary ballads and traditions of the most interesting, and perhaps most ancient, of all the races of the world! It was impossible to look on that glorious scene, now pictured before us on the broad arch of heaven, - that mountain barrier, the fabled home of our race, against which the waves of Russian ambition have for more than a quarter of a century chafed and raged in vain, - without feeling an enthusiasm, a glow of mingled wonder and admiration, for the heroism of the gallant inhabitants, who, while the indolent Turk and the Persian submitted to the encroachments of their powerful neighbour, - nay, trembled at the very name of the mighty despot of the north, - alone had the courage to arrest his progress. Gladly, indeed, would Russia have pursued her usual policy in the Caucasus, and which had so well succeeded with more civilized nations - and followed the advice given by the oracle at Delphos to Philip of Macedon: "If thou wouldst conquer the Greeks, fight with silver spears." Gladly indeed, would she have paved with her gold a way through the Caucasus to the long-coveted districts of Central Asia. Happily for success of the present war, there was one virtuous race still left in Asia - one brave people that loved their country and their independence better than the gold of the stranger; who preferred their mountain home, their simple habits, and liberty, to all the splendour and luxury the tempter had to offer them. Captain Spencer Turkey, Russia, the Black Sea, and Circassia, 1854 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Roger Rosen, "Georgia: A Sovereign Country of the Caucasus" (pg. 196).