Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-07-06

~ Ex-Aldermsn Wesley Smith, of
New York, who has just returned from
st. Petersburg, whittier he proceeded
in March last on private business, said
to relate to building several ships for
the Emperor, has returned home and
furnishes the Evening Post with his ex-
perience and observations in the capital
of the Russian Empire. The Post
says:
His observations in Russia have con-
vinced him of the determination and
the ability of the Russians to sustain
the war in which they are now engaged
in face of the most energetic operations
of the combined assailants. Some four
teen hundred thousand men are al
ready under arms, available at any mo-
ment for the Gear, and in the most per-
feet state of discipline.
1t was Mr.. Smiths fortune to witness
a review of 60, 900 of them under the
supervision of the Emperor, on the
parade ground near st. Petersburg
Previously to marching to the field, he
states. the soldiers pass through the
cathedrals of the capital, receiving there
the last rites of the Greek religion
They are thus prepared to throw away
their lives in battle with willingness
which resembles the fanatical reckless
ness of the disciples of Mohammed.
Mr.. Smith describes the entire popu-
lation as filed with enthusiasm for the
prosecution of the war, which is regard
ed as a sort of crusade for the defense
of the Greek church.
Demidoff has already voluntarily
proffered to the Emperor the gift of a
million of rubles, equivalent to $780,
600. Another nobleman has done the
same, while the various officers in COM
mand have insisted on offering the halt
of their salaries for the puplic service.
Even the most delicate ladies in the up
per classes are engaged in performing
such menial duties as the scraping oi
lint for the soldiers who are about en-
tering the field of war.
Every precaution has been adopted
to secure the army against the recur-
renee Of the disasters which are report
ed to have attended its movements on the
shores of the Black Sea. Most Of the
chief military officers and engineers
have had thorough training in France
or England, and some of the most dis
tinguished are natives of those countries,
who have become loyal subjects of the
Gar.
Among the numerous mementoes ol
his tour which Mr.. Smith has brought
home, are some daguerreotype portraits
of his friend, DR.. hoffman, surgeon
and citizen of Louisiana, who stands
very high in the confidence of the EN-
peror, from whom he has received, be-
sides various military honors, the post
Of private secretary.
Mr.. Smith states that the principle
cause of the advantage gained by the
allied forces over the Russians was their
practice of taking the Russian officers
as the first marks for their bullets. The
Russian armies, without their leaders,
are utterly powerless, and can be shot
down like so many cattle. They have
learned nothing except to obey the or
ders of their superiors. In order to
avoid any future calamities of this kind,
the officers and men are to be clothed
alike, or at least so as TO be undistin-
guishable by the enemy.
Mr.. Smith, while residing in st. Pc
tersburg, was treated with great consid-
Grafton by the magnates Of the En-
pire, and was elected by them mem
ber Of the English Cuba club SO call
ed from the adoption of the English sys-
tenn of club rules-to which the Empe-
ror and his sons belong.
The Americans, he remarks, are
treated with the most fraternal cordiali-
ty, and his own reception has, doubtless,
somewhat contributed to the favorable
estimate which he has formed OF the
Russian nobility and people. he IN
forms us that the same effect has been
produced in the minds Of the entire
American Diplomatic corps in Europe,
including Mason. our Minister to
France: Buchanan, Howthorne, and
sickles, who, as he says, are Russian
to the backbone Their sympathies
are wholly with the Gar. Mr.. Seymour,
however, the American minister to Rus
sia, whose important dispatch Mr..
Smith has just left at Washingt'n-
where great sensation, it is reported,
has followed the perusal Of them-is
discreetly silent.
Mr.. Smith tells us that the people OF
Russia are extremely devout and OBJ
servant of religious ceremonies. A