Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-09

Things renamed In tnlS state vi apparent Ut
der and security as long as Alexander was on
his guard, and sojourned within those parts OF
his empire where his subjects felt the benefit OF
his kindness and his presence, and protected
him with their gratitude and ther love. NO
sooner, however, had he resolved on his distant
expedition, and ventured to the seat where dis
conten, and disaffrction prevailed, than plans
for his destruction were renewed. Whether the
fatal will had been made, and was TO be set a.
side, which could easily be done by those who
should succeed in taking an Emperor's life
or whether its execution was to be prevented,
the author Of the crime alone can tell; bur his
orders were issued, and have been but too faith
fully obeyed. The conspirators who they were
will he known when the New Imperial House
hold is formed, and titles and places are bestow-
ed) took every means to create in their intend
ed victim the most ui,bounded confidence. All
on his passage was contentment and happiness,
and never in the centre Of his capital and his
guards had Alexander thought himself more
secure or more beloved On his return from
the Steppes of the Crimea, and before he quit
ted Taganrok; "a succession OF fetes was given.
In one of these a water party was formed on the
sea of Azof, which bathes the walls of the town
The conspirators contrived that the Imperial
boat should be manned entirely by themselves
and their friends. The confident monarch en-
barkcd before a gazing population, and the YES
sci rode gaily, with the shouts OF thousands
from the shore to fill its sails and to cheer its
return But when they had got to a distance,
and she was solitary on the waters-when no
eve could see, and no ear could hear-with a
struggle, or in calm despair-'midst the curses
of unmasking foes, or in deep silence, a mental
voice alone laundering sRetribution!' the Au-
tocrat of half a world was strangled."
The improbability ofthe report arises from
the circumstance of Constantine being allowed
to retain the Vice Royalty of Poland, with the
command ofthe most efficient part Of the Rus
sian Forces. 1t is at present supposed that the
Emperor Alexander had excited the hatred OF
the Russian Nobility in consequence OF his
plans To deprive them of their absolute and des-
potie power over the peasantry upon their es'
tates, and that the presence OF the Emperor
alone repressed this spirit Of discomfort, which
broke out and matured its plans, as soon as he
had departed for the Southern extremitles OF
his empire. A few weeks will probably unrav-
el these mysteries. The personal character OF
the Emperor Alexander appears to have excl
ted but little %censure; his. errors being attri-
buted to the necessity Of flattering the prejudi-
ces and yielding to the interest OF his half-civil-
zed Mobiles. The following are amongst the
most interesting of the anecdotes that have
lately been published of him.
The sufferings of the Greeks being the sub
iect of conversation before the Emperor, Al
exander exclaimed, 81 love the Greeks, | pity
them, and pray for them; but see, | think the
-. 49, AL Il ..,I ,~t
assist them" Surely he who never scrupled
at any aggression to enforce despotism upon
the people Of foreign kingdoms, might have
interferred, and have prevented that tyranny
tina, stimulated the Greeks to revolt
Madame de Stael, speaking to the Emperor,
said, "Sirr, your character is a Constitution"
"In that Case replied the Emperor, 81 could
be no more than a fortunate accident" "Mild
despotisIn is but suspended tyranny" is an old
and synonymous sentiment; we wish the En-
peror Alexander had always acted upon the
principle.
In the memorable war against Russia in 1912,
the news of the entrance Of the French into
Smolensko arrived during the conferences of
the Prince Of Sweden with the Emperor Of
Russia; and il was there that Alexander con-
traCted the engagement with himself and the
Prince Royal, his ally; never 10 sign a treaty
ofpeace. "Shouid St. Petersburg be taken,"
said he, l will retire into Siberia. l will there
resume our ancient customs; and, like our long
bearded ancestors, we will return anew to con-
quer the empire. This resolution will liber-
ate Europe" exclaimed the Prince ROYAL; and
his prediction was accomplished.
A letter from the Emperor Alexander to a
Nobleman on whom he had conferred q patri-
monial estate, has this fine conclusion;-"rhe
peasants Of Russia are for the greater part
slaves; it is unnecessary for me to enlarge upon
the degradation and misery Of such state. |
have sworn, therefore, not TO increase the hum
Der of those wrelched beings; and have laId it
down as a principle, not to dispose of peasants
as a property. This estate is granted to your
self and your p~osterity as a tenure for life,
which is a tenure differing in this point alone
from The generality, that the peasants cannot
be sold, or alienated as beasts of burden. You
know my motives: | an. convinced you would
act in the same manner were you in my place
A nobieman in the Government of Woro-
nese had bought six thousand peasants Of
Prince I. ubecakoi, and at the instance Of Al
exander offered them their freedom, on condi-
ton Of their making good the purchase-money;
which they did most J~oyfully, and built a
church, TO which they gave the name of their
benefactor.
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