The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-31
WASHINGTON, 1858.

40 MG Euuof W ute tHW"
Sir The ambition and perfdy Of the Emperor Of Rus.
STA having kindled the flame OF war which threatens
10 spread itself over the whole OF Europe and great
portion of Asia it might, perhaps be interesting to many
OF your readers to receive somewhat correct inorma
ton of the appearance qualities. and character OF aprnce
who has taken upon himself the terrible responsibility Of
having provoked so direiul an event.
Nicholas Paulovch, the son Of Paul and Maria Few
dorowna, mounted the Russian throne on the death Of
his brother, Alexander the First.
The Emperor Nicholas is distinguished by gigantic
STATURE by handsome face, by voice, and by
a commanding look He has displayed much energy
and hrmness of character, and almost incredible
tivity. He possesses much aHably, and many house
bold virtues Hence many have been induced 10 forget,
at least to excupae. his ridiculous vanity his ungen
enmty his unrelentng revengeuness. his insen
sby to the suerings Of his victims. and his mplacable
hatred to freedom. The rich gifts Nature has bestowed
upon him, his accomplishments and his private virtues
have become the veil OF his despoc acts and the
OF diminishing this Indignation which his barbarous Sc
verify and bis outrages ans hum iny naturally arouse
in every generous heart.
But, though il is duty TO make fair allowance for
the ailly Of human nature and the strong temptation OF
uncontrolled power, we commit grlevous error il we
accept stately figure an attractive countenance, Wig
orous mind, an engaging department. and purity of
ners, as apologies for the cruel treatment OF millions OF
human beings Indeed the man whose heart seems
open 10 all the endeaments of domestic fe and still in.
fc,s ncescrbable niseIies upon thousands Of fellow
men, guilty OF crime but that of loving freedom, is
the more 10 be dreaded his cruelty is passion but,
principle. Persuaded that be is dschaging his duty,
he feels no repentance, but iumphs in the agones of
suffering humanity.
III The Emperor Nicholas were iyfant destitute OF
every virtue. and possessing ungovernable temper be
would. like the mailman Constantine, his brother, soon
have exhausted The patience OF human endurance
Hatred and contempt wosld already have brought home
TO him due punishment Tor the unjustfabe cruelties
which he has caused be inflicted upon SO many OF his
ieow-beings; and there would be necessity to drag
him before the bar OF public opinion order 10 rouse
agains, him The indignation of ihe civilized world But
being endowed with so many qualities worthy OF a
great monarch, and subjeciing his enmiy and his re-
venge 10 reason he inspires rather than in
those who are not thoroughly acquainted with his real
character.
But the inhuman treatment OF the unhappy Poles and
the inexorabiy with which the lew Russians who
have dared 10 make the attempt at shaking off the yoke
OF thrsdou, or only reused his suspicion of chershng
liberal IDEAS have been punished, cannot bat render the
Emperor Nicholas dslessbleIn the eyes OF all sincere
friends oil humanity Those who have taken the pains
OF making themselves acquainted with the suferngs OF
his victims must necessarily feel that he fully deserves
the execraons which have reeehoed not only from the
wilderness OF Siberia and the mines OF Ufa but from
every country where the exled Poles have found ref
uge.
Bu, these testimonies of the vndc,lve and despotic
disposition OF The Car, heart reudng they are do moi
provoke our resentment much does his open hatred
10 liberal institutions, and TO the emancipation Of the
other European nations from oppression Not satisfied
with keeping more than sixlyhve millions of hi. own
subjects IN ablec slavery and rendering them puppets Of
bis imperial WILL be has done everything in his power
TO strengthen the OF desposm everywhere in Eu
rope. Tie has been The chief instrument in preventing
The ameoraiion OF The social and political condition OF
The people Of Germany. Hungary, and l,aly. To him
every crowned criminal looks for assistance and in re-
lance upon bis aid such despos the King OF Napes
and The Emperor of Austria defiance human rights
and Divine laws. But for him, Germany, Italy, and
Hungary would now enjoy The blessings Of freedom.
More in my next letter
Very respectfully, G.C.H