Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-09-02
From the Albany Evening Journal
The Russian Minister.

| Tne Russian minister.
A STORY WITH A MOEAL.-We see it
reported that NJ Bodisco, the Russian
Minister, has undertaken to muzzle a
Washington newspaper, after the fashion
of St. Petersburg We hope he will have
Ga good time" An article in the JInioa
respecting Russia, displsasing him, he not
only "stopped" his own copy, bu: deman-
ded of the Secretary of State that he sup
press it wholly j
This reminds us of an incident we have
heard related of this gentleman in the ear
lier days of his mission. Some years ago,
he was passing over the Rochester & Syr-
acuse Railroad on an excursion to Niagara
with party of friends. If we remember
rightly, it was his wedding tour. When
the train reached Syracuse, an attache, or
secretary, or something, took a fancy to
quarrel with one of the men employed about
the depot, and, with the insolence 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 protec-
ton of his master and his suite, who, of
course, all took his part, and supposed
their diplomatic character would enable
him to get off with impunity.
Mr.. Smith, the conductor and agent.
Immediately waited on the Minister in the
car, stated the case, and civilly but firmly
remarked that such an unprovoked out
rage could not be tolerated here; and
wound up by expressing the hope that the
Minister would end the business, as he
easily could, by apologizing.
The Minister smiled Apologize. Did
monsieur le conductor know whom he was
addressing? 1t was NJ. Alexandra Bodis-
co, Ambassador of the Emperor of Russia.
Mr. Smith coolly replied, that, if he
was the Emperor of Russia himself, he
was entitled to an apology. And he ad-
ded, that, until he got it, that train would
stop where it was, in the Syracuse depot.
Great was the inligrati' n of the circle
when this audacious speech was translated
all around it, and it was found that diplo-
matte proceedings were so suddenly brought
to a stand-still. Terrible oatbs were sworn
at the conductor, the railroad, the compa-
ny, 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 Pleni-
stepping out on the platform.
The passengers stared. Bystanders wink
ed a. each other The little popcorn 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.
81 order this train to 90 on" repeated
NJ. Bodisco, bringing his cane vehemently
down on the platform, by way Of emphasis.
No result. The smoke curled lazily up
from the locomotive, and the fireman and
engineer leaned back on the wood-pile to
enjoy the fun.
Fortunately at this moment Washing
ton acquaintance, who happened to be on
board, came out, and undertook to explain
American customs to the Ambassador. A
long colloquy cnsued in some foreign
tongue, which nobody understood. The
upshot Of it was, however, that hand
some and courteous apology was rendered
and received-the Minister adding that
his ignorance of the language and Gus
toms 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.
1t is barely possible that NJ. Bodlseo's
labors with the press may terminate in
similar way After all, it is the educa-
tion, not the man, that is to blame. NJ
Bodisco is sensible and accomplished
gentleman, as such things go in Russia
There, his requirements would be treated !
as perfectly reasonable and proper Per
sons 60 and stop at the bidding ct high