Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-14
The Russian Mediation In
THE WAR OF 1912.
BIZ DIR. JOSHUA LEAvTTI.

sentiments which thrilled the hearts
of their fathers in 1915, on learning
that the mediation of the Emperor
Alexander I of Russia had restored
peace between the United States and
Great Britain. The history of the
steps which led to that mediation,
with its auspicious results, has only
been given once, by John Quincy
Adams, who was the American min
lister, through whose agency it took
place. Mr.. Adams was in Congress
during the controversy sbout the
right Of petition on subjects con-
nected with slavery, and was a
strenuous advocate of the duty of
Congress to receive all petitions
that were respectful in form, and
was opposed to the gag laws by
which it was attempted to keep out
the anti-slavery petitions of every
class. Acting on his own principles,
when a petition for the peaceful
dissolution of the Union was sent
to him, he presented it, and moved
it's reference to committee to re-
port an answer showing the impos-
possibility of any such action by
Congress. At once a clamor was
raised by the Southern members,
and r serious attempt was made to
infict upon him the censure of the
House, for presenting such peti-
ton. After a severe struggle, be
obtained the privilege of being
heard in his own defense, which
continued several days. On one of
these days he gave a full account Of
his public life in the many public
stations which he had filled, from
the time of his first appointment as
foreign minister by General Wash
ington until he became President OF
the United States. The notes for a
! report of that speech were taken as
. on other days; but the reporter,
taking offense at remark
of Mr.. Adains's the next day
which was not intended to
apply to him, threw his notes into
the fire, and thus destroyed all
, record of one of the most interest
ing sketches of our American his
tory, except as the memory o1
individual hearers may have pre-.
served some traces of it. As I had
the privilege of being deeply
interested hearer of the whole trial
: some other parts of which I care
, fully reported, have attempted tt
recall some fragments of the history
of the Russian Mediation, appro
4 pirate to the visit of the Crane
0 Duke Alexis, to show how mucl
0 reason the American people have t.
y regard the Government of Russi,
? as sour Ancient Ally"
Mr.. Adams said that the EN-
n peror Alexander honOred him will
o many proofs of his personal friend
: ship, in consequence of which h.
was able to secure relief to man,
American ship-owners, whose YES
sells had been detained in Russian
r ports for alleged violations O
, Napoleon's continental System.
u After giving several Instances O
\ this kindness, he went on to 81,
that, not long after the arrival q
the news that the United State
j. had declared war against England
l. the Emperor was walking with hin
# in the garden of the palace, whe
he took his arm, and in very friend
Ii ly terms expressed his sorrow q
B. learning that war had taken plac
y between the two nations who bot
d had so large place in his regards
y After conversing while on th
, evils of such a war, he anxiousl
/ asked if there was nothing which b
% could do to restore peace betwee
d the two countries, as there wa
re- nothing that could give him 6
= much pleasure. After further COZ
- versation on the causes of the wa
[e and the difficulties in the way of
,e settlement, the Emperor suggeste
70 the idea of his Offering his mediatio
i. toward a peace.
In the end Mr.. Adams assente
to this as q measure free frol
le objects. and possibly worth sryin
le and said that he should be hapr
er to convey such an offer to his 60
~ ernment which, he was sure, woul
give IT a most respectful consider
D. ton. In consequences Of this col
le versotion, Mr.. Adams said, he SOC
n, received from the Emperor q mo
friendly offer of his mediatio
which he at once communicated
the Government at Washington
as where i was entertained in q mo
r. cordial manner as it W also by Il
~ English Government After . varie
in of negotiations the mediation W
as accepted by both nations, and col
m missioners were appointed on eth
s. side Mr.. Adams himself bein
IL properly, the head on the Amerc,
e. side) who met at the Hague
v, Holland, and. after long consl
e. tations, at length agreed upon
e. treaty Of peace. Never was su
ce unexpected relief and joy diffus
among q people as when the me-