Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-09-14
The Russian Minister.
A STORY WITH A MORAL.

We see it reported that NJ Bodsco, the Rus
sian Minister has undertaken to muzzle a Wash.
ington newspaper, after the fashion of st. Peters
burgh. We hope he will have "a good time.''
/ This reminds US of an incident we have heard
related of this gentleman, in the earlier days OF
his mission. Some years ago he was passing
over the Rochester and Syracuse Railroad, on an
excursion to Niagara, with party of friends. If
we remember rightly, it was his wedding tour
When the train arrived at Syracuse, an attache or
secretary, something, took a fancy to quarrel
with one Of the at the depot, and with the in
science of petty official raised his cane and
struck him. The man was about to take justice
into his own hands, but the fellow claimed the
protection of his master and his suite, who, Of
course, all took his part, and supposed their di-
plematic character would enable him to get off
with impunity.
Mr.. Smith, the conductor and agent, immedi-
ately waited on the Minister in the car stated the
case, and civily but firmly remarked that such an
unprovok ed outrage could not be tolerated here !;
and wound up by expressing the hope that the
minister would end the business, he easily
could by apologizing.
The Minister smiled. Apologize! Did Mon
sieur le Conducteur know whom he was addressing!
1t was M. Alexandra Bodisco, Ambassador of the
Emperor of Russia.
Mr.. Smith cody replied that if it was the En-
peror of Russia himself he was entitled to an
apology And he added that, until he got it, the
train would stop where it was, in the Syracuse
depot
Great was the Indignation of the circle, when
this audacious speech was translated all round it,
and it was found that diplomatic proceeding were
so suddenly brought to a stand still. Terrible
oaths were sworn at the conductor, the railroad,
the company, the country, the-everybody But,
as they were all in Russian, they did not hurt
anybody.
81 order this train to go on,'' said the Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, step
ping out on the platform. The passengers stared.
Bystanders winked at each other. The little pop
corn and candy boys opened their eyes wide at the
man with the long beard, and thought he must be
crazy. But the train did not bulge an inch.
II order this train to go on" repeated M. Bodis-
CO, bringing his cane vehemently down on the
platform, by way of emphasis. No result The
smoke curled laizily up from the locomotive, and
the fireman and engineer leaned back on the
wood-pile to enjoy the fun.
Fortunately at that moment, Washington ac-
quaintance, who happened to be ON board, came
out and attempted to explain American customs
to the Ambassador. A long coliloquy ensued in
some foreign tongue, which nobody understood.
The upshot of it was however, that handsome
and courteous apology rendered and received
the Minister adding that his ignorance of the
language and customs of the country had led him
into mistake. The whistle sounded the bell
rung, and away went the train, carrying two or
three wiser people out of Syracuse than it brought
in, half an hour before. .ss
It is barely possible that NJ. Bodsco's labors
with the Press may terminate in a similar way.
After all, it is the education not the that is
to blame. M. Bodisco, is a sensible and accom-
plished gentleman, as such things go in Russia.
There his requirements would be treated as per-
fectly reasonable and proper. Presses go and
stop, at the biding of high diplomatists. Here,
however, high diplomatists oftener come and go
at the biding of the Press.-Aibany Evening
Journal. @