The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-04-13

!, to express the sorrow which fills our
hearts, as Christians and as men, in con-
: templating the probability of war in any
} portion Of the continent Of Europe Deep
ly to be deplored would it be were that
peace, which to a very large extent has
happily prevailed SO many years, exchang-
ed for the unspeakable horrors of war.
with all its attendant moral evil and ply
sical suffering.
cit Is not our business, nor do we pre-
sumo to offer any opinion upon the ques-
tlons now at issue between the Imperial
Government Of Russia and that Of any
other country; but estimating the exalted
position in which Divine Providence has
placed thee, and the solemn responsible
ties devOlying upon thee, not only as an
earthly potentate, but also as a believer
in that gospel which proclaims peace on
earth, and good will toward men, we
lmplore Him, by whom Kings reign and
Princes decree justice, SO to influence thy
heart and direct thy councils at this mo-
mcntous crisis, that thou maycst practi-
caliy exhibit to the nations, and even to
those who do not profess the like pre-
cious faith, the efficacy Of the gospel of
Christ, and the universal application of
his command, Love your enemies; bless
them that curse you; do good to them
that hate you; and pray for them which
despitefully use you and persccute you:
that ye may be the children Of your Faith
er which Is in Heaven
"The more fully the Christian is pur-
suaded of the justice of his own cause, the
greater his lnagnanimity in the exercise
OF forbearance. May the Lord make
thee the honored instrument of exempli-
flying this true nobility; thereby securing
to tbyself and to thy vast dominions that
true glory and those rich blessings which
could never result from the most success
ful appeal to arms.
Thus, o mighty Prince, may the mis-
cries and devastation of war be averted;
and, in that solemn day when 'every one
of US shall give account of himself to God,
may the benediction of the redecmer ap-
ply to thee, Blessed are the Peacoma-
kers, for they shall be called the children
Of God and mayest thou be permitted
through Sayior's love to exchange an
earthly for heavenly croNn-'a crown
of glory which fadeth not away"
Lona'o'9, First nl0ntb II, 1854.
Here follow the signatures.
The Emperor, after listening with kind
attention to the Address, said he wished
to offer some explanation Of his views as
to the causes Of the present unhappy diff
ferences. His observations in the course
of the conversation were nearly as follows:
eve received the blessings of Christi
anity from the Greek Empire, and this
has established, and maintained ever
since, link of connection, both moral
and religious, between Russia and that
power. The ties that has thus united the
two countries have subsisted for 900
years, and were not severed by the con
quest of Russia by the Tartars; and when
at later period, our country succeeded
in shaking off that yoke, and the Greek
Empire, in its turn, fell under the sway
of the Turks, we still continued to take a
/ lively interest in the welfare of our core
/ ligionists there; and when Russia became
powerful enough to resist the Turks, and
to dictate the terms of peace, we paid par
tcular attention to the well-being of the
Greek Church, and procured the insertion
/ in successive treaties, Of most important
articles III her favor. ! have, myself ac-
ted as nay predecessors had done, and the
/ Treaty of Andrinople, in 1929, was as ex-
plicit as the former ones in this respect
Turkey, on her part, recognized this right
of religious interference, and fulfilled her
engagements until within the last year or
two, when, for the first time, she gave me
reason to complain. | will not now ad-
vert to the parties who were her principal
instigators on that occasion; suffice it to
say that it became my daty to interfere,
and to claim from Turkey the fulGllment
of her engagements. My representations
were pressing but friendly, and | have
every reason to believe that matters would
soon have been settled, if Turkey had not
been induced by other parties to believe
that | had ulterior objects in view; that |
was aiming at conquest, aggrandizement,
and the ruin of Turkey. | have solemn
ly discaimed, and DO now as solemnly
disclaim, every such motive. | do not
desire war; abhor it as sincerely as you
do, and am ready to forget the past, if
only the opportunity be afforded me-
81 have great esteem for your country,
and sincere affection for your queen,
whom I admire not only as a Sovereign,
but as lady, a wife, and mother. 1
have placed full confidence in her, and
have acted towards her in a frank and
friendly spirit. | felt it my duty to call
her attention to future dangers, which I
considered as likely, sooner or later, to
arise in the East, in consequence of the
existing state of things What on my
part was prudent foresight, has been un-
fairly construed in your country into
designing policy, and an ambitious de-
sire of conquest This has deeply wound