Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-12-03
z pIsasrRous BLuNpER.
g Grant breaks UP the Z" Cordial Re.
IatiOns" of Russia and the United
Sfates-secret OF Buffers Visit.

a. DISASTROUS BLUNDER.
Grant Breaks UP the F" Cordial Re.
IatiOns" of Russia and the United
sfates-secret OF Butier's visit.
Worlds Washington speciar.l
The reporter of local paper hap
pened to ask the President his views on
the Eastern situation, and what his prob
able Official action would be. The Presi-
dent repIied that be would take no ac-
ton at all, but that he intended to live
up to the Monroe doctrine, and would
interfere by neither word nor deed in the
affairs of any foreign country. This
statement was thereupon published, and
was copied in the newspapers all over
the country. Mr.. Catacazy Immediately
sent long dispatch to the Russian Pre-
mier announcing the strict neutrality OF
the United States Government, the effect
of which was that Russia assumed q
frmer tone in the exposition of her
views and attitude on the questions
involved in the treaty Of 1856, and
continued her preparations for war with
redpubled vigor. A contradiction, how
ever, followed close upon the heels OF
this declaration Of neutrality, in the
statement, which Mr.. Catacazy took par
ticular pains to verify, that the Admins
traton had no intention of pressing the
Alabama claims at this juncture. This,
too, was Communicated TO the Russian
Government by its representative in
Washington. Its effect was tremendous
Here was an open expression of sympa-
thy for England, The pledge of the ad-
ministration was given In the teeth Of its
declaration that it would not interfere in
the quarres of foreign countries, not to
embarrass England by presenting what
she most dreaded-ra demand for the
settlement Of the Alabama claims, which
was the only though secret, cause of her
unwillingness to bring matters at once
to a forcible issue.
THE FEELING IN RUSSIA.
In st. Petersburg this uncalled for and
unwarrantable violation OF the implicit
understanding Of neutrality, and of the
Monroe doctrine, aroused the deepest
evaporation against the United States.
1t was looked upon as nothing more nor
less than direct and gratuitous insult
to that county, in view of the fact that
neither the material nor moral support
of the United States had been asked for,
and that neither England nor Russia had
sought an expression of the intentions of
this Government in the matter. To use
the language of the authority from whom
| this information is derived, American
credit in Russia suffered in an instant
severe if not fatal blow, from the effects
of which 1t will take years Of the most
conciliatory policy to recover. 3" The
Russian Premier called together his
Cabinet, and advised with them as
to what action twas best to take.
After much debate, it was resolved to
take no open notice Of the action
of this Government, as it was not
strictly official, but to remain firm in the
position that Russia had already as
sumed. Instructions we're Immediately
sent to Mr.. Catacazy to watch the course
of events and report any new develop
ments that might present themselves, in
the hope that some of the more saga
cious of the Republican leaders might
induce the President to make dis
| claimer of the obnoxious statement, and
thereby restore the confidence which had
been so seriously shaken. The President
remained silent, however, notwithstand
ing that such men as Charles Sumner
and Benjamin f. Butler used their utmost
influence to persuade him to this course,
and even wrote personal letters to the
Russian Minister apologizing for the un-
accountable political four pas.
| Q 1t is worthy of remark that not single
Radical sheet has yet questioned or de-
MED authenticity of the statement in
question, showing conclusively that the
President did actually utter it, and has
no wish to recall it.
| TROUBLE AMONG THE RADICALS.
The recent visit of General Butler to
| this city was not TO advise with the Pres
ident on his message to Congress, but to
urge him to remedy, if possible, his dis
astrous blunder. There is no mistake
about this. He came away however,
unsuccessful, saying in response to an
| inquiry that the President was inhexible
about the. course he means, to pursue,
and that his sympathy for England was
unmistakable. OF this the Russian Gov
ernmeut is now thoroughly cognizant.
What the pointed and singular course of
Mr.. Catacazy portends is matter of
conjecture, although it seems highly
probable that he is acting under lnstruc7
tions from the Russian Government, and
that the fntus of complications will soon
give something unexpected, if not start
ling. 1t is more than likely that addi-
tional efforts will be made to alter the res
olutions Of the President. Alarmed atthe
political effects which complications with
Russia deeply popular power in this
country-would infallibly exercise on the
future of the Republican partysthe Rad
ical leaders have already begun to stir
in the matter, and will leave no stone
uDturned to repair the mischief com
mitted by their chief. Meanwhile Russia
goes on her way, coolly Indifferent, in
the example of her representative here,
to the course we are pursuing, regretting
only that the impulses of the warm
heart, which she knows beats for hers in
the American breast should be checked
by the incompetency and misrepresenta-
! ton Of q puerile administration. uU.s.
u
The Cause of the Decay orAmerican
Womanhood.
How many pale, lifeless women you
see in the West-snd in the East, too,
for that matter. Young, fresh looking
women marry, and iR6Ye or ten years
you can scarcely recdgnize them, while
their husbands look as well as on the
day of their wedding One cause of this
is complicated housekeeping. When a
man undertakes q business, he finds
learned men ready TO assist him he
knows what there is to do, and secures