Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-06-22
RUSSIA AND AMERICA.

we iCdiH WIN 1iSs'oOAC ehae SO-iN
distinguished citizens of New York
propose to present to the Emperor
Alexander. through the medium of
his son, the Grand Duke Alexis, on
the latter's visit to this country, a
work of art which has been instrust-
ed for execution to an eminent
American artist, and which is de-
signed to commemorate those re-
deeming events of the nineteenth
century-the emancipation of the
Russian serfs and of the American
slaves-in which the two countries
have taken so distinguished part.
The Work of art in question repre-
sents President Lincoln setting free
the bondmen of America and the
Emperor Alexander delivering from
slavery the serfs of Russia. Diver
gent as the respective institutions
of the two countries are, it was Ger
tainly a remarkable and gratifying
coincidence, that the genius of
Christianity and Humanity should
have achieved in the Northern and
Western hemispheres such a signal
and almost Simultaneous victory
Possibly nothing could have en-
deared Russia so much to the A
merican heart as the tender solici-
tude displayed by the Car for the
masses of his people, while at the
same time, in curbing the pride and
battling the greed of the landed gen
try, he gave severe rebuke to those
countries where the toiling multi
tude continues to languish in a
semi -feudal AFFECTION.
While, for instance, the English
aristocracy beheld with scorn and
ill-concealed Indignation an act of
Emancipation which humbled and
despoiled the aristooracy of Russia,
the American people hailed the
event with devout delight as a grand
and benificent onward movement in
the progress of mankind. The sym
pathy of Russia in this country had
been up to that time Of that mega
tive and platonic nature such as
proceeds from the absence of inter
national jealousies and collisions,
but henceforward it assumed a posi-
tive character of regard, and was
hallowed by feelings Of sincere ad-
miration. When our own struggle
against Slavery had eliminated in
civil war, these feelings of good
will were infinitely strengthened by
the sympathetic demonstrations of
Russia.
The American people are not like
ly ever to forget that at the time of |
a great national crisis, when we had
to contend with domestic and for
eign enemies, Russia was our stead
fast, and devoted friend, and sent a
mighty squadron to New York har-
Dor as an homage to the power of
the Union, at the same moment
when Rebel craft sailed under the
English flag to destroy it.
Bygones are bygones. We have
forgiven England as we have forgiv-
en- the Shareholders. If this world
wide display of magnanimity makes
us feel stronger and prouder as q
great Christian nation, ever ready
to pardon injuries, it must certainly
detract from our moral grandeur If
We were not so grateful to our
friends as we are forbearing toward
our foes. Magnanimity is an easier
virtue. 1t implies sense of power,
while gratitude implies one of obi
CATION. We can see in the eagerness
displayed by our government and
our people in preparing a cordial re-
ception for the son of the Gar,
something far different from the Or
dinary attentions which are lavished
upon princes on their travels. 1t is
founded on generous recollection
of past friendly offices, and a recog-
milton of the great services render
ed by the Autocrat of all the Rus
sias in difficult circumstances to the
cause of humanity.-N. T. Tri-
bune. l.