The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-26
THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE.


Col. ghaNher and the London Times.
RESPONSE or COL. sHAFFNER TO THE ATTACK OF
THE LONDON TIMEs-TMPORTANT DETAILS OF THE
PRODUCTIVE FORCES OF BUssIA-RELIGI0Us FEEL
ING OF THE PEOPLE-TBD 5UCCES6ES OF THE Al
LIES REvMwED-BABBARITY OF THE ENGLISH
ARMY IN RUSSIA, AMERICA, ETC.-IMMENsE PRE-
PARATI0Ns OF THE RUSSIANS FOR THE WAR.
METROPOLITAN HOTEL, I
New YORK, Jan. Is, 1856.
TO TIE EDITOR HERALD.
have read the editorial of the London Times relative to
Che impressions expressed by upon the prospects
Russia being able to defend herself against the attack
of the Western Powers. s&
have sought in vain for point In that editorial which
would give basis upon which could writo an an
swer The editor certainly succeeded in writing very
funny article and fail to be edited in its per-
usal But why did the editor deem expedient to notice
She article in the HERALD Did contain truths
that they coud not be denied and the force Of r
Guile the only by which the influence OF those
truths could be dispelledf a.t
For the past few years my energies have been directed
to the pursuit Of lightning. The little fash which put
forth ON Russia il followed by the Times thunder. As in
electricity the former is potentthe latter harmless.
In the HERALD article there not word disrespect
ful TO the allies. Any comparison Of bravery manage
mont of the respective armies carefully avoided Ny
bject to speak about Russia only There WAS no
necessity for to cricse the conduct Of the allies
The whole world has done that, and such task my
part would have been superb uous.
On reading the HERALD article find nothing to
correct far it gives representation of the state of
ahngs in Russia. In that article and while 1t in
type marked to be taken out all parts relative to my
having been received In Russia with anything than
ordinary attention. and ALSO those having reference to
my visits to Cronsadt Nckolaief, and SweAborg. This
full correction escaped attention. visited five of the
prominent forresses but the details Of what observed
ahere cannot make any reference to in any manner
whatever. ALI the representations which made then,
NOW, based upo actual observation, official infor
nation, are taken from sources Of unquestonable
veracty and correctness reterae every thing stated
in the HERALD article with the above modiAcations-
which not material in the premises-and now defy
she Times any other paper to dsprove the assertion,
therein made 1t not is it possible for
to tell all that have Witnessed, tenth Of what
have heard in Russia. My Impressions In espects
may have been erroneous. That which heard in many
may not have been strictly correct traveller In
strange country and surrounded by people speaking
strange language must rely very much upon his
observation.
have nothing to gain by the No one has any
thing gain by it. The sad result Of the bloody conflict
ipsinly to be all Europe It's dire effects fear
not yet fully felt do believe its end to be
have been cautious not to take any part whatever in
affairs Some have supposed that have been in the
Russian service There was actually found American
In London who for the hope Of god base enough to
swear that in the employment of Russia and had
received large remuneration therefor These fabrications
however have been disproved, and avail myself of the
present occasion to say that never have been in the
Russian service have ever received any pay from
the Russian government do know Of having ever
done anything to merit compensation, nor have any
pectaton of ebarkng in any enterprise in matters
lodi xh.<V 7 dc~a
been confined to the assistance Of Americans in the pre-
senation of inventions. have done the for Eng
lshmen speak thus plainly to correct any suspicion
npen this question. The object Of my visits to Russia
both in 1855. ected with teegraphs and rail
roads. Ny ultimate success depends upon peace.
While in Russia, during the past two years, have
read hundreds Of Misrepresentation in the English pa
pers about the war and that country. Many of them
doubtless have been made with knowledge of the fact
to the contrary and perhaps many through ignorance.
It is difficult get EDghman to believe that there
is truth or power in any other people but their own.
This ignorance and meanness is readily by the
foreigner when he enters that country Intelligent peo
pie have often asked me- in England, II had raroads
tesgrsphs, &c. in America. These insults not al
ways the result Of ignorance They put forth to
make the American feel that his country is unknown
lame. Courtesy, particularly among officials is
quality In this respect the English will doubtless be
greatly benefited by the example of their ally
The want Of respect and decency towards Americans
the Of their hurrying out of England into France
where they are always treated with the most gratifying
consideration.
have yelled several thousand miles in Russia and
have devoted much labor to the study OF the govern
ment the people and the country The government l
believe TO be the best and the only suited to the
people. have never heard any one acquainted with
Russia express different opinion. Even Eng
ishmen there in this. The English
press seems to wonder why ''out and out republican
Yankees fond of despotc governments" Ameri-
sensible enough TO the relative necessities
Of nations. republican government in Russia would
be disgusting farce The not prepared for
it. Centuries hence they may be better ftted for it.
France tried it, and fortunately for herself has since
rifted into the present imperial system Even England
is not prepared for such high state of government as
have in America With the government of Russia as
Americana We have nothing to do except to be obedent
to the hwg when there. As neutrals We certainly
have right to form opinion to the ustness Of the
war, and In doing 70 We cannot see how England
expect the favor of Heaven In the end. 1t is from
cenary motives and from apprehensons for the safety of
her Indian possessions that she enters this mighty con
fct. An imaginary Russian invasion OF India makes
England tremble Her churches filed with prayers
for the Of Christ and the of her army
tne sussen'suon oi Manomed&nsm was hypocrisy ever
no apparent She cannot serve two masters She must
be for God or the devil The latter to be her
choice. AS Christian nation, how Is possible for us
TO sympathse with such Hypocrisy We have no intrin
sic interest In the Of Russia Our trade with
England is, perhaps, fully $500 200, 900 per
With Russia It hes but slighty exceeded g. 900 0OO
Our commerce with the latter Is very small thst
any one can see that the American people, in their
almost unanimous sympathy with Russia, not nau-
enced by pecunary or political considerations
Throughout Russia there Is but opinion and tina.
is everything for defence. There internal divisions
there but the contrary the whole nation united in
finn and resolue determination to shed the last dro,
O. blood for the Of God Feuds among the mem
bers of the imperial family never heard Of English
and French writer's may ndite letters for the press In
London Paris dating them from st. Petersburg, aud
putting forth the grossost Misrepresentation to the
social Islatinna Of the i'm eria family hut this