The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-17
Prosp ects OF the Car Alexander.


The news of the death of Nicholas has set spe-
culation agog. There are many persons who are
still unwilling to believe that the Gear is dead,
and who expect that the next mail will show
that the Tartar is not the only person VINO has
the satisfaction of having hoaxed the world.
These, however, are minority. The public
generally consider that the number and diver
sity of the accounts which have been received
place the fact OF the death hey ond a doubt. 1t
is said that it is not usual in Russia for the
death of sovereign to be known in the CAPT
tal-much less in foreign countries-until Sc.
veral hours and even days have elapsed since
the event. This may have been true in former
times; Catharine concealed the death Of Peter
Ill. for short while and her own was not
Of Alexander's death; nor would it be easy in
the present age of rapid communication and
publicity to keep such an event long secret.
Besides, granting all that is pretended, why
may not the death have taken place day or
two before the time stated?
All sorts of stories are afoat with regard to
the successor of Nicholas. Some say that
racter, deficient in nerve and even in under
standing, yields his claim to the throne in ia
vor of his brother Constantine, who is man Of
great energy and vigor of mind. 1t was in
virtue of a similar arrangement, it will be re-
membered, that the late Gar assembled the
throne; his elder brother Constantine having
renowned it in order to marry Roman Ca
tholic lady. But this story wants confir-
nation. We are very credibly informed that
the Grand Duke Alexander has no idea of waiv-
ing or the Grand Duke Constantine of disputing
his rights. 1t has been long understood in the
family that the former was to succeed, and his
brothers have never to this moment given him
any reason to doubt the fidelity of their attach
ment or the soundness Of their loyalty. Con-
stantine is the Admiral of the Russian fleet
and ever since the breaking out of the war has
been at Cronstadt and st. Petersburg; not, as
is ignorantly supposed by contemporary, in the
Crimea.
1t has also been asserted and is indeed the
received belief at London and Paris that the
Cesarovitch is man of peace, and that he dis
approves the present war entirely. On what
this suppostion rests-if indeed it rest upon
any thing better than analogy with the ever re-
curing enmity between the Western monarchs
and their heirs-it is difficult to say. From
letters, however, from the highest authorities
in ST. Petersburg, dated 18th ultimo, the very
contrary would appear to be the case. In these
letters which refer to the new levy of twenty
three in the thousand, the Grand Duke is spoken
of as earnestly and zealously CO operating with
his father, and from the tone used, it is plain
that no antagonism was known to exist between
the two in the highest circles in st. Petersburg.
Indeed, the more we look back, or recur to the
testimony of the most impartial of modern ira
velers, the rivalry between the Gar and his
son will appear the more difficult to explain
When Nicholas was absent on his travels through
Italy and England, Alexander took his place
and governed the kingdom as Emperor pro
tenn nor did the smallest symptom of dis
satisfaction on the Emperor's return indicate
that the former had not used his power In ac-
cordance with his fathers wishes. Since then,
we have reason to know that the government
of Russia has been carried on by the Emperor
and his two eldest sons Alexander and Con
stantine; with whom alone he has been in the
habit of consulting. At times when benefit
could be derived from his experience, Nessel-
rode has been called into the council but the
other ministers hardly ever unless it has been
to deliver or explain formal report on the
state Of their department. With Alexander,
Nicholas has been peculiarly unreserved, ex-
planning all his plans to him, consulting him
freely on every subject, in word educating
him for the position he was destined to occupy
OF late years, Alexander has devoted less time
TO his military duties, and more to those on
the person of the Emperor filing in some
sort the Office of private secretary, in which of
course he must have become thoroughly ac-
quainted with the opinions, principles and
policy which guided Nicholas.
Such being the case, what is the prospect on
the accession Of Alexander? Assurcdly-these
details proving true, and we have no reason 10
doubt their authenticity is less reason
to expect that the change will be beneficial to
The allies than seems to be expected. II Alex
ander has been in the confidence Of his father
all along, has had voice in the family couu-
CHS which have governed the empire, and
has taken direct and personal share in
the movements which have led to the
war, he is certainly not less likely to
prosecute 1t with vigor than his father was.
The main work Is done The levies are raised.
Money is provided for. The point of attack Ia |
chosen. The enemy has landed. Nothing IL
now wanted but to go on in the course already
traced out and the inference from our latest
advices is that Alexander will do so.
While the conference sits at Vienna. there
will always be prospect of truce. England
viii strain a point for peace 20 will France,