Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-23
Manifesto of the Gar.

An extraordinary supplement of the Journal de
St. Petersburgh of the l6th (2sth) December,
brings us the following document:
"By the grace of God, we, Nicholas the First,
Emperor and Autocrat Of all the Russias, &C., &C.,
&C., make known.
"The causes of the war; that still lasts, are well
understood by our beloved Russia. The country
knows that neither ambitious views, nor the desire
Of obtaining new advantages to which we had no
right, were the motives for those acts, and crcum
stances have Unexpectedly resulted in the existing
struggle. We had solely in view the safeguard of
the solemnly recognised immunities of the Ortho-
dox Church. and of our co-relgonists in the East.
But certain governments attributing to interest
ed and secret intentions that were far from our
thoughts, have complicated the solution of the
question, and have finished by forming an hostile
alliance against Russia
AFTER having proclaimed as their object the
safety of the Ottoman empire, they have waged
open war against us-not in Turkey, but within
the limits Of our own realm, directing their blows
on such points as were more or less accessible to
them-in the Baltic, the White sea- the Black sea,
in the Crimea and even on the far distant coasts
of the Pacific ocean. Thanks to the Most High,
both in our troops and in all classes of our subjects
they everywhere meet with intrepid opponents,
animated by their love for and for their country
and to our consolation in these troublous circum-
we are constantly witnessing brilliant examples
and proof of this feeling, as well of the courage
that ii inspires.
" Such are the defeats more than once inflicted
on the enemys troops on the other side of the
Caucasus, notwithstanding great disparity of
force. Such was the unequal conflict sustained
with success by the defenders of the coasts of Fin
land Of the convent of Solovetsky and Of the port
of Petropaulowsky in Kamschatka. Such, above
ALL is the heroic defence Of Sebastopol sgnalized
by SO many exploits of invincble courage, land of
interchangeable activity, as to be admired and done
justice to by our enemies themselves.
"Behoding, with humble gratitude towards God,
the tolls, the bravery, the selfdenal of forces,
both by land and sea, and also the general out
burst Of devotion that animates all ranks of the
empire, we venture to recognise therein the pledge
and augury Of happier future.
Penetrated with our duty as Christian, we
cannot desire a prolonged effnsion of blood and
certainly we shall not repulse any offers and condi
tons of peace that are compatible with the dignity
of our empire and the interest Of our well-beoved
subjects. But another and not less sacred duty
commands us in this obstinate struggle, to keep
ourselves prepared for efforts and sacrifices pro-
portoned to the Of action directed against
Russians my faithful children you are accus-
toned to spare nothing when called by Providence
to great and holy work-neither your wealth, the
fruit Of long years of toll your hves-not your
own blood, nor the blood of your children. The
noble ardor that has inaamed your hearts from the
first hour Of the will not be extinguished, hap
pen what may and your feelings are those of your
sovereign.
"We all, monarch and subjects, if it be neces-
sary-echoing the words of the Emperor Alexander,
In year Of like trial. the sword in our hands and
the Gross in our hearts--know how to face the
ranks of our enemies, for the defence of the most
precious gifts of this world the security and honor
of our country.
"Given at CATCHING, the fourteenth day Of the
month of December, in the year Of our grace 1854,
and the 30th of our reign.
(Signed) NICHOLAS"