The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-06-17
; NEW YORK ALDERMAN IN RUssiA--HIs
- OPINION ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 10

/ OPINION ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS. +
ES alderman Wesley Smith, Of New York,
VINO has just returned from S.. Petersburg, with
er ne proceeded in March last on private business
SAID 70 relate to building several ships for the En-
peror, has returned home and furnishes the Eve
| ming Post with bis experience and obser vatiens
IN the capital Of the Russian Empire. The Pos,
says: -
His observations in Ruseia have convinced him
OF the determination and the ability of the Russians
| to sustain the war In which they are now engaged
ntace OF tne most energetic operations of the com
sined assailanfs Some fourteen hundred thousar
| nen are already under arms, available at any mo-
ment Tor the purposes of the Gar ell la the most
| perfect state of discipline
" was Mr.: Smiths fortune to witness review
OF oo,opV OF them under the supervision of the
emperor, on the parade ground near St Peters
ourg- Previously to marching to the field he
ssates the soldiers pass through the cathedras of
me capital receiving there the last rites of the
1reek religion They are thus prepared to throw
away their lives in battle with a willingness
which resembles the fanatical recklessness of the
disciples of Mohamrned
Mr., Smith describes the entire population as
1!led with enthusiasm for the prosecution of the
war, which is regarded as a sort of crusade for
the defense OF the Greek church.
Demidof has already voluntarily proffered TO
the Emperor the gift oil million of rubles equiv.
alent to S750.000. Another nobleman has done
the same. while the various officers in command
have insisted offering the half of their salaries
for the public service Even the most delicate
ladies 10 the upper classes are engaged in perform
ing such mental duties as the scraping Of lint for
the soldiers who are about entering the field of
war.
Every precaution has been adopted to secure the
army against the recurrence of the disasters which
are reported ohaye bttenedd its movements on the
shores of the Black Sea- Most OF the chief military
officers and engineers have had thorough train
ing in France or England, and some of the most
distinguished are natives of those countries, who
have become loyal subjects OF the Gar
Among the numerous mementoes of bis tour
which Mr. Smith has brought home are some da.
guerreotype portraits of his friend, DR.. kottsman
a surgeon and acitizen of Louisiana, who stands
very high in the confidence of the Emperor, from
whom he has received, besides various military
honors, the post OF private secretary.
Mr. Smith states that the principal cause of the
advantages gained by the allied forces over the
Russians was their practice OF taking the Russians
officers as the first marks tor their bullets. The
Russian armies, without their leaders, are utterly
powerless and be shot down like SO many
cattle They have learned nothing except to obey
| the orders OF their superiors In order to avoid
any future calamities of this kind, the officers and
to be clothed alike or at least SO as to be
| undistinguishebe by the enemy
Mr.. Smith, while residing in St Petersburg was
| treated with great consideration by the magnates
OF the empire, and was elected by them member
| of the English Club" club so called from the
adoption OF the English system of club rules, 10
| which the Emperor and his sons belong
The Americans, he remarks, are treated with
the most fraternal cordially, and his own recep.
ton has, doubtless, somewhat contributed to the
favorable estimate which he has formed of the Rus
| sian nobility and people. He informs US that the
same effect has been produced in the minds of the
entire American diplomatic corps in Europe, in
| Guiding Mason, our minister to France; Buchanan
Hawthorne and Sckles, who, as he says, are "Rus,
| sian to the backbone" Their sympatbies are
wholly with the Gear. Mr.. Seymour, however,
the American minister to Russia whose important
dispatches Mr. Smith has just left at Washington
where great sensation it is reported has follow
ed the perusal of them-is discreetly silent
Mr.. Smith tells us that the people of Russia are
extremely devout and observant OF religious cere
| monies. manifestation of this trait, combined
with the sentiment which gives rise to osculatory
| courtesies, he WILL we hope, forgive us for men,
| tioDing.
On Easter-Sunday he was surprised in the street
| of st. Petersburgh, by Baroness of his acquain
| lance, who, after presenting him with an egg
| fashioned OF beautifully ornamented glass delib.
erately kissed him on each side of the face, and
then on the mouth. This example was copied by
several other of his lady acquaintance among the
most noble and refined in the capital Several
of these eggs Mr.. Smith has brought home with
him.