Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-04-05
THE CAR AND THE FRIENDLY
Deprivation.

n ueputatou Oh rIienuS lfou tuo EuShsh
Peace Society have been, as our readers are
aware, on a mission to st. Petersburgh, to pre-
sent an address to the Gar setting forth the
evils of war, and entreating him to refrain from
engaging in it. The deputation were we'll recev-
ed by Count Nesselrode, and finally obtained an
interview with the Gear, who also fgave them a
"fattering reception" They presented their
Address and Nicholas made reply, which, as
specimen of "injured innocence" well-defended,
is worthy of the Head of the most aggressive
nation in Europe, England, perhaps excepted
What Nicholas understands by self-defence is
the destruction of rival and dangerous national
tiles. His reply is reported, substantially, as fol.
lows;
ave received the blessings of Christianity
from the Greek Empire; and this has establish
ed and maintained ever since, link of connec-
ton, both moral and religious, between Russia
and that Power. The ties that have thus united
the two countries have subsisted for 900 years,
and were not severed by the conquest of Rus
sia by the Tartars; and when at later period,
our country succeeded in shaking Oft that yoke,
and the Greek Empire, in its turn, fell under the
sway off the Turks, we still continue to take
lively interest in the welfare of our co-religion
lists there; and when Russia became powerful
enough to resist the Turks, and to dictate the
terms of peace, we paid particular attention
to the well-being of the Greek Church, and pro.
cured the insertion, in successive treaties, OF
most important articles in her favor. lhave my
self acted as my predecessors had done, and the
treaty of Adrianople, in 1926 was as explicit as
the former ones in this respect. Turkey, on her
part acknowledged this right Of religious inter-
ference, and fulfilled her engagements until with
in the last year or two, when for the first time,
she gave me reason to complain.
will not now advert to the parties who were
her principal instigators on that occasion. Suf-
fee it to say that it became my duty to interfere,
and to claim from Turkey the ful6llment of her
engagements. My representations were press
ing but friendly, have every reason to believe
that matters would soon have been settled ifTur-
key had not been induced by other parties to be-
lieve that had Interior objects in view,-that
was aiming at conquest ACCOMPLISHMENT, and the
ruin of Turkey. have solemnly discaimed,
and do now solemnly dsclam every such mo-
tive. do not desire war
Iabhor it rs sincerely as you do; and am ready
t to forget the past if only the opportunity be beat at
esteem for your country, and sincere affection
for your Queen, whom admire, not only as a
Sovereign, but as lady, wife, and a mother
have placed full confidence in her. and have
acted towards her in frank and friendly spir-
it.
felt it my duty to call her attention to future
dangers, which considered sooner or later like
ly TO arise in the East, in consequence of the ex-
listing state of things. What on my part was
prudent foresight has been unfairly construed
in your country into designing policy and am
bilious desire of conquest. This has deeply
wounded my feelings, and afflicted my heart
Personal insult and invectives regard with in
difference. 1t is beneath my dignity to notice
them, and l am ready to forgive all that is per-
sonal to me, and to hold out my hand to my en-
emies in the true Christian spirit. cannot un-
derstand what cause of complaint your nation
has against Russia. am anxious to avoid war
by all possible means. will not attack, and
shall only act in self.defence. | can not be in
different to what concerns the honor of my coun-
try. have duty to perform as a Sovereign.
As Christian am ready to comply with the
precepts of religion. On the present occasion
my great duty is to attend to the interest and
honor of my country"