The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-18

elapse before it can be seen what the final effects
Of this reform will be. The Polish national
spirit at present is, to all appearances, entirely
crushed by the total failure of their attempt to
achieve independence.
As regards education, great efforts have been
made by the Emperor to place the state colleges
on level with the best educational institutions
in Europe. still more notable reform, how
ever, is the Inauguration of elective representa-
tive assemblies in the provinces. The Arst of
these met in 1865 and 1t is anticipated that this
measure will pave the way for the introduction
of national representative assembly.
The reign of the present Gar, however, has
not been without its personal dangers. On the
10th of April, 1866, an attempt upon his life was
made by young Russian landowner, Demetrius
Karakasoff by name; but peasant by the name
of Ossip Jwanoff who was standing near, OBJ
served the would-be assassin aim his pistol at
the Czar, as the latter was about to enter his
carriage after promenade. Jwanof struck the
arm of Karakasoff just as the latter fred, and
the ball passed over the head of the intended
victim. For his timely action Jwanoff was pre-
sented with a patent of nobility and large
estate. Again. on the 9th of June, 1867, an
attempt was made to assassinate the Gar, while
he was in Paris on visit to the ex-Emperor
Napoleon Ill This attempt also proved futile,
and was found to have been the act of a crazy
man alone.
The official investigation into the first attempt
upon the life of the Czar proved 1t to be the re-
suit of political conspiracy, and thrty-four
persons who were compromised by the disclo-
sures at the trial of Karakasoff were found
guilty of high treason by the Supreme Court.
One of these, Ischutin by name, who was con-
victed of being the founder of the Society of
Communists in Russia, and of having melted
Karakasoff to attempt the life Of the Gar, was
condemned to death, and fifteen others were
sentenced to exile in Siberia. This attempt
upon Alexander's life created a profound
sensation throughout the world, aud
the Congress of the United States
embraced the opportunity to testify to the
friendly relations existing between the two
countries, by voting an address congratulating
the Czar upon his escape. The presentation of
this address by Mr.. Fox, Assistant Secretary of
the Navy, was the occasion for general out
burst of enthusiasm in Russia on the part of all
classes of the people. In letter to President
johnson, in answer to the congratulatory ad-
dress of Congress- the Gar said:-
II pray you to be my interpreter to Congress
and the American people whom it represents;
tell them how much 1 appreciate and with me
the whole of Russia, the testimonies of friend
ship they have given me, and how happy l will
be to see the American nation grow in strength
and prosperity, by the union and constant prac-
| tce of civil virtues that distinguish it,"
| The attempt of Karakasoff upon the Cars life
was not the last that has been heard of the Com
munist conspiracy in which it originated, de-
| velopments of the continued existence of which
have been made public from time to time up to
recent date. But the Russian Government ha:
taken such pains to keep all knowledge of it.
existence and objects from the people, that bu
little concerning its extent and influence il
| known.
| On the outbreak of the Rebellion in thi
country in 1861, the Czar addressed the Gov
ernment letter in which he expressed thu
most friendly feelings towards the American
nation and people, at time when nearly if no
quite every European ruler looked upon th
prospective disruption of the Union with joy
This letter was the basis of the close an(
friendly relations which have ever since existed
between the two nations, which prompted
Congress to congratulate the Car on hi
escape from the assassin's bullet and had it
full weight in persuading Congress to vote owe
seven million dollars in payment for the barre'
tracts of Alaska, the purchase of which signal
lied the foreign policy of Secretary Seward.
The course of the Russian Emperor in tn
present war between France and Prussia ha
been watched with great deal of anxiety, bu
he has maintained strict neutrality through
out the contest, although it is apparent that hi
sympathies have been with the German cause
When NJ Theirs recently visited st. Petersbur
on diplomatic mission from the French Re
publican Government, he was kindly received
but only in his private capacity as statesma
of long experience and influence.
The Gear Alexander III married Maria Alex
androvna, Princess of Hesse, April %, 1884,
By her he has large family. The eldest of th
Princes, Nicholas, the late Czarewitch, was Dor
| September 20, 1843, and died prematurely
, Nice, in April, 1865. Alexander, the presel
Crown Prince, was born on March 10, 1S45, AT
: was married on November Q, 1866, to the Pri
l cess Marie Sophie Frederique Dagmar, of De
l | mark.