Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-19


could contriye TO steal as they did, Knowledge
WAS prescribed. In the quaint works OF a verse
quoted by a recent writer:
He said TO the mind,
Go into darkness!
And signed it,
Be it So
Gar Nikolai.
But In truth he could do no less. There is no
compromise possible between despotism and intel
lQence. Nicholas had to choose between crushing
out every spark of intellect and freedom, and
abandoning his throne. He chose the former.
The domestic virtues which marked the whole OF
his career, show that he was not bad man, as
Paul and the Peters were. His immense labors
for the codihcation Of the Russian law prove that
he desired the good Of his country. Even his I'M
placabe and cruel resentment at the delinquences
of corrupt officers argues sincere interest IN the
popular welfare.
From all that we have said about Nicholas, It
can be seen that one general idea regulated ms
noIicy, Struck by the evils which had been left
him by his brother Alexander, he determined to
take in all things the contrary course to that which
had been adopted by his predecessor. Alexander
inclined toward liberal ideas; Nicholas showed
himself anti-lberal to an excess
When the poet Pouckkin died, mourning was
universal throughout Russia, the Emperor himself
taking part in it. A young man, excited by the
GLORIOUS regrets WHICH ucutu SuunSuy WiotO I'll
ode in honor Of the deceased poet, and in which
he held out to himself some hopes of becoming,
Mt future day, one Of the ornaments OF Russian
literature The Gar could not look with favor
able eye upon this audacious young man, who
coveted glory in a country where It belonged TO
the sovereign alone, and the worshipper OF the
Muses. was sent to calm the ardor OF his maglna'
ton beneath the climate of Tobolsk lie came
back at the end Of three years, sick and entirely
a ,,stl o,Inr Alexander used To
affect to pay no particular attention to the national
language and customs and did not conceal his
partialy for foreigners. Nicholas was fanatic IN
behalf Of tho customs, language and rehgion OF
Russia.
The firmly established reputation Of the late Gear
as handsome man imposes Oh us the oDhgauon OF
giving his portrait. Several writers have under
taken this task, but none among them has ac-
Quilted himself ably as the Prince Peter Kolotsk
for which reason we quote him in preference;
"Nicholns." he writes, "has the noblest face
have ever seen In my life. The habitual express
sion Of his physiognony has certain severity
which is far from putting the beholder at his ease
His smile is smile of complaisance, and not the
result of payety or abandon. There is something
approaching the prodigious in this princes manner
OF existence He speaks with vivacity, with sim
plcity, and the most perfect propriety; all he says
ia full Of point and meaning-no idle pleasantly
not word out Of its place. There is nothing IN
the tone Of his voice or the arrangement OF MS
phrases that indicates haughtiness or discrimination
and yet you feel that his heart is closed"
The personal habits Of the Emperor were marked
by the most feyerish activity. He would ride, walk
snperintend sham fight, and hold review, all il
the same day. He travelled necessarily, passce
over at least 800 leagues every season, and wor
down the strength Of all who were attached to IN
person.
The suddenness Of his end was TO be expected
either from political causes, has frequently beel
predicted or from sheer physical exhaustion. M
frame could long resist the unnatural amount Q
exertion, both mental and bodily, to which thi
extraordinary man subjected himself. He was IL
his seth year at the date Of his death.
The Gear is succeeded by his eldest son, Alex
ander Cesarevitch, Hereditary Grand Duke. h'
was born on the goth April, 1918, and married il
April, ls41, Maria, daughter of the late Crane
Duke Louis II, Of Hesse, by whom he has fou
SONS,