The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-06-04
RUSSIAN AMERICA.

Mr.. SUNSER's great argument in vindica-
cation Of our purchase Of Russian America
is published We have not yet found the
time to read it carefully, and whether we
will find the time or not we cannot yet de-
termine. From the very rapid glance we
have given to it's contents, we have come
to the conclusion that it is exhaustive Of
Of the entire question. Mr.. SUMNER has
left nothing for anybody else to say. His
argument appears to us TO be complete
and full, and he vindicates the wisdom OF
the purchase upon several grounds, which,
in our judgment, cannot be gainsayed. He
says that our interests on the Pacific coast
demand this acquisition, and we should
therefore annex this territory. This state
Of the case is maintained with all the force
Of argument which characterizes Mr.. SUN.
SER's best efforts. He shows, also, that
we are in duty bound to add this vast do
main to the United States, that its people
and all who may hereafter reside there
may have all the benefits Of republican in
stitutions And moreover Mr.. SUMNER
shows that this territory is worth all and
more than we pay for it. As we have said,
the argument is full and complete, and we
see not how anything more can be said.
We think that the opponents Of this pur.
chase will find it hard to answer Mr.. SUI
NER's reasoning.
In spite Of all the croakings to the con-
trary, we believe il will turn out when the
matter is fully understood, to have been
one of the best purchases Of public domain
that the United States Government have
ever made. Mr.. SUMNER is in favor Of giving
the name of Aloska to this territory. 1t
is, we believe, the name which the Indians
gave to the country. 1t is certainly har-
monious and poetical enough to please the
most fastidious in regard to names. We
trust it will be adopted.
We notice that the st. Petersburg cor
respondent Of the New York Herald says
that the Russian Government is busy I'D.
justing the claims OF the Russian Fur Com.
pany, with view to assume all liabilities
on transferring that territory to the United
States, and that the stock Of this company
had taken an upward tendency in conse-
quence from sixty per cent. to one hun
bred and eighty per cent. II this be true,
it is certainly an unprecedented rise in
stock, and shows conclusively that the
fact that this territory is soon to become
part Of the United States gives largely
increased value to the company's property.
We learn, moreover, from this correspond
ent, that the Government has selected an
arbitrator and the company has selected 4
second, and the two have chosen an umpire
in whose hands all the papers, documents,
and data relating to the company for the
past one hundred years have been placed. |
The investigation will soon be made into
the affairs Of the company, when the UNI
pire will be able to form his estimates. 1t
is believed that quite an amount due from
the United States to the Russian Govern
ment on account Of this purchase will 20
into the hands Of this company.
A considerable amount OF property in |
the country does not come Immediately
into the hands Of our Government by vir.
tue of this treaty. Our Minister, Mr.. CLAY,
is now in negotiation with this company
for a certain amount of merchandise and
other property belonging to them. The
value of the property of this fur company
is said to be worth about two million and
half of roubles; and the company expect
to get from our Government about one
million and half Of roubles. This prop
erty is made up Of all the company pos
sesses, including stores, warehouses, ships,
docks ice houses, steamers, merchandise,
etc. 10 this may be added large stock
Of iurs now on hand in st. Petersburg,
said to be worth in cash one hundred and
nifty thousand rOubles.
We have given these facts, which VIC
have taken some pains to collect, because
some Of the newspapers which follow the
lead of the New York Tribune have been
Paradng this statement before the country =
that the seven or eight million Of dollars
which our Government agrees to nav Rus.
STA is not the end of the purchase money. 4
Suppose 1t is not; what then? Do we NOT o
get from the fur company property worth b
at least fifty per centum more than il cost c
us The men who oppose this treaty to. a
day will live to see the folly of their
course and regret that they ever raised