Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-12-07
"HONORS ARE EASY,
How Russia Treated Us and How
We Treat Russia.

While New York is alive with feS-
tivities rejoicing over the arrival the
Grand Duke Alexis it may perhaps be
interesting to recall the splendid
manner in which Russia received onr
fleet five years ago. Previous to 1866
there had not been for twenty years
an American fleet in Russian waters.
but in that year the steamer Augusta
and the double turreted monitor
MiantoDomoh visited our Russian
ally, and received such welcome as
is seldom accorded by one nation to
the representatives of another.
Resolutions, it will be remembered,
had been adopted by Congress ex-
pressive of the friendship of the
UnitedStates towards Russia, % f which
the then assistant secretary of the
navy, Mr.. G. V. Fox, was custodian.
Before the American squadron reach
ed Cronstadt they were met by mem.
bers of the Cars staff, who were
specially detailed to see that the offl-
GERS had every attention shown them,
and that they were properly entertain
ed. This act of courtesy on the part
of the Gar was only the prelude to
national reception which subsequent
ly awaited the visitors. On the
evening of their arrival the officers of
the squadron were entertained at a
grand banquet given in their honor,
and next morning they were met by
Russian fleet of four frigates and two
monitors (built after the manner of
our first monitor) which surrounded
our vessels as a guare of honor. In
the twilight of the evening the Russian
fleet was illuminated ana a brilliant
display of fire works still added to
the festivity. When, on their way to
st. Petersburg, they had got within a
few miles of Cronstadt, they were met
by number of Clyde steamers. hav
ing on board thousands of ladies and
gentlemsn who had come to welcome
the Americans.
At Cronstadt the Emperor himself
came to welcome them, and in the
evening of the day of their arrival
they were entertained at a gorgeous
banquet given in their honor On
the ensuing day the Cars steam
yatch arrived with forty officers,
whom the Car had detailed to ac-
company the American squadron
during their stay in the Russian do
minions. On this royal yatch the
visitors were conveyed to St. Peters
burg, where they were quartered at
the Hotel de France, the whole OF
which establishment had been char
tered by the Gar for the accommo
dation of the visitors. Each officer
had suit of rooms for himself and
was provided with a servant. The
reception at st. Petersburg was from
first to last, a perfect ovation. Balls,
banquels, visits, receptions, &C., were
continually going on. 1t would be
impossible to over estimate the at
tention paid the guests or the good
will shown them on every side. They
were taken to see all the public places
some of which the citizens were not
permitted to visit.
Carriages, with outriders were al
ways held at their disposal, and at all
the public entertainments mementoes
were always scattered about express
sive OF the good will of Russia toward
the United States. Our officers spent
two weeks out of the seven they were
in Russia in visiting Moscow aud the
great annual fair. On their return 10
Cronstadt, they gave farewell ban
quet on board one of theit own YES
sells. The late Admiral Farragut.
who more recently visited Russia,
was also received with princely hos
pltality. These honors and ovatious
are now to be paid back, and there is
no doubt that the return will be hand
somely made.