The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-08
from the Baltimore Americana


listen to lecture entitled Gan Evening
with Royalty" The lecture was delivered
by T. Morris Chester, Esq, now member
of the English bar. Mr.. Chesteris native
of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and during
the war of the rebellion was war cores
pondent of the Philadelphia Press Mr..
Chester is we'll known in Baltimore. He
was introduced to the audience by Captain
A. Ward Handy, who prefaced the intro
duction with few appropriate remarks.
Mr.. Chester said: Ladies and gentle.
men, the history Of our people in this
country has been most exceptional. A
combination of circumstances has not only
tended to make our experience most bitter
but to prejudice against us one of the
generous and chivalric of nations. Ameri-
cans, excepting their actions and prejudices
in regard to the African race, com pare very
favorably with the polished Latin and other
races of Europe. The ruling classes of this
country, proud of their legislation, seem to
have been ignorant of the advances which
our people have been making. Some of
ourselves, however, more fortunate than
others, have been the humble means of adj
vancing the cause of our people and have
received abroad exceptional distinctions as
recognition of our people Ia tho last
days of July, $50, sailed for aud arrived
in England. l shall pass over what saw
in dingy, dear old London, of the gay but
now dismal Paris, Of the fair city of Brus-
sells, of Berlin, the most beautiful city in
Europe, and confne my remarks, as far as
possible, to an Evening spent with Roy
atty, or how negro was received at the
Courts of Europe"
After my arrival at st. Petersburg I de-
livered the letters Of introduction which |
had to Gen. Clay and other distinguished
persons in the city, and was received with |
great cordiality aud marked friendship.
At the hotel at which | stopped, one of
the best in the city, the attention of the
guests and the landlord at times became
embarrassing.
met with the same kindness in society
and at masquerades, where only the ladies |
wear dominoes and masks, and are per- |
mitted to approach gentlemen, converse
with them, fatter them, appoint rendes
vous for them, aud laugh at their credulity. |
To Mr.. William Winans, of Baltimore,
and Major Whistler, of Massachusetts, and |
others, who desired the Am bassador to
present me at the Russian Court, all honor
is due.
But the courage and responsibility of
the act belong to Cassius M. Clay.
Neither my position nor my merits per-
mitted me to claim the presentation as an
individual honor, but did claim it as
recognition of the unqualified manhood of |
the oppressed people Of this country.
Mr.. Chester then related 10 graphic
terms his experience at a grand review Of |
the Cars body guard at the Winter Pal |
ace, at which he was present by special |
invitation, and said that with the sight |
before him he could not resist the impress
sion that the day was not far distant when |
Russia was to be all-powerful in Europe.
He then spoke of his experience at the |
luncheon which followed the review, and |
said that he was treated very cordially and |
with great distinction at it.
The most interesting spectacle he saw |
there were about one dozen untarnished |
black men, dressed very Enthusiastically, who |
had been brought from South America by |
the Gar, and who stood around with great |
bushes in their hands, and whose duties
appeared to be more ornamental than any
thing else.
He then pronounced glowing eulogy
upon Alexander Ii.
Mr. Chester then related the incidents of
bis visit to the Grand Duke Constantine
and the conversation be had with him.
He also visited others, and was impressed
with the fact that the Russian people, out
side of the desire of their Government to
cultivate friendly relations with the United
States, feel friendly and kindly towards
the people of this country; and speaking
of the kindness and cordially with which
he was received, said that he hoped soon to
see an American public sentiment equal
to the Russian sense Of justice. He took
lessons in French with Russian Princess,
and progressed SO we'll that he soon could
read the French newspapers and hold a
conversation upon ordinary topics in the
French language. In March, 1868, he
visited Copenhagen, the capital of Dea
mark, the Oldest monarchy in Europe.
Mr.. Chester gave very fine description of
the Royal Palace, and said that after he
had been conducted some distance through
it by an Aide-de-Camp of the King, the
Aide-de-Ca gave him some hurried d.
rections and left him.
Not wishing to show his ignorance,
though he had not fully understood the
directions, he walked on through the saloons
until he opened the door Of small but
magni6cently furnished room, in which he
saw gentleman standing, who was plain
ly attired in sack coat, in the pockets of
which be had his hands. Taking him to
be one of the Kings secretaries, he was
about to pass on, when the gentleman adj
vanced, gave him his hand, and in good
English calling him by name, said, 81 am
glad to see you" In this act, said Mr.
Chester, recognized the King of the
Danes, and bowed as low as my republican
principles would allow me. He then en-
gagged 10 familiar conversation with the
King for short time, and retired much
pleased with his interview
He next visited Stockholm, the Capital
of Sweden, in August, 1868, and the King
was absent, but Prince Oscar, his brother,
gave him most cordial aud gracious re-
ception. With him, by special request,
he exchanged photographs and autographs
Mr.. Chester gave lengthy description
of his stay in Stockholm, aud OF the kind