The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-12-09


drew G. Curtin, the American Minister to
the Court of st. Petersburg. presented his
credentials to the Emperor Alexander, he
concluded his presentation speech with the
following high-sounding eulogium on that
most absolute of all European soveregns:
And in behalf of the Government and peo
pie of my country. l am glad to have the on
pOrtuniIy to give renewed expression to their
admiration and regard for your Majesty. and
their earnest hopes and wishes for the lcnG CON
tinuance and prosperity OF reign made illus
n'uua by its vigor, wisdom and justice"
On former occasion We expressed our
sarEest dissent from that intense feeling Of
admiration. if not sbject se:vility. with
which most Of the public men of this coun
try are habitually accustomed to speak of
the government Of Russia and its Emperor.
u is founded in false sentiuentality, and
70 opposed by AL the practical teachings of
her history. If there is anything in the ma
tsrial progress or political history of that
svershadowiug despotism for the Last one
hundred years that can pAllia;e OF Justify
this excessive praise. We confess that We
have heretofore been unable to appreciate it.
The abolition of serfiou: in 1868 throughout
ths'empire. although prsisewcrny and COM
Hlendable, will not atone for her numerous
ranton aud red handed national crimes. II
Americans ought to detest perhdous Eng
land. why should they honor and glorify
despotic Russia 7 If the one robbed. plum
Gered and oppressed Ireland. and still press
g. her iron heel on the PROSTATE neck Of that
ili-KoVerned country. the othEr ObliterstCd
Tie nationality of Poland. blotted the land
ct Kosciusko from the map of Europe, ban
ished her patriotic sons to the mines and
dungeons Of Siberia, and as o crowuing mon
AHent to heEir fanny crushed out, with her
barbarian legiops, the very life blood Of
hungarian liberty on the field of TemesvaT.
As practical and eloquent commentary
on Gov. Curtin's extravagant recognition of
'',hs vigor. wisdom and Justice" of the gov
erument Of Alexander, Gar of all the Rus
BIAS. the following significant incident oc-
cured at the White House. in Washington,
en- Nov. 3Oth-sbout one month after Mr..
Curtin's expression Of the admiration and
regard Of the people Of this country for bis
majesty, the Russian Bear:
A delegation. consisting of Messrs. Solo
mons. Volt, Adler, Abraham and jacobson, of
Washington, had an Interview with the Presi
dent this morning. having been presented by
6ecretary Boutwell, They laid before the
President appeal that he will use his kindly
sffices Wirh the Gar OF Russia. through ohr
Minister at ST Petersburg, 10 effect a revOca-
ton or modification of the late ukase expatri
s'ing two thousand Jewish families The
President. in response. stated that it was too
hate IN the day Of enlightenment: 10 persecpte
~ny race, color, or religion. and that he would
take great pleasure in using the influence OF
the government TO procure \ revocation OF the
Gkase, and lay the appeal before the Cabinet
then about 10 assemble.
Any comments on the above would be en-
tirely superhuous. Here We have all the
"vigor" Of the Emperor of which Minister
Curtin so systematically talks, but without
the "wisdom and JUSTICE of which he is so
lavish in his praises of the successor Of Peter
the Great. 1t is simply disgusting, and al
most realizes the famous saying of Talley
rand. that diplomacy is a lie and that lao
guage was given to man to enable him to
eoncea. his true thoughts.
The case of President Grant. however. was
quite different few years ago. Ii will be
remembered that be ordered the Jews be-
yoad the line of his military department
Uuier the most severe pains and penalties.
II he can DOW arrest the mailed arm of An
drew G. Curtin's friend. the Emperor of
Russia, for whose wisdom and JUSTICE
Mr.. \. q. Curtin stands sponsor. and il
Grant desires to have "the late ukase, expa.
triat:ng two thousand families" rescinded
by his imperial friend Alexander. and if he
can succeed in effecting that humane object.
he viii fully redeem himself in the estima.
tiuu of the Jews. and will have somewhat
Hioned for Mr. Stewards present to Russia
Of seven and half millions of dollars for the
acquisition of cold, barren, dreary and in
huspitable Alaska.