The New York herald., 1871-11-14
The EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
What the Delegates Themselves Say About
Their Interview with Gortchakoff.
How the Russian Premier Overwhelmed Them
with Empty Words and Vain Promises
Proposition to Hold the Next General
Conference in New York In 1873


the "Russlan Deputation" which interviewed Prince
Gortchakon last summer about religious liberty IN
Russia. There has already been published In the
HERALD full report OF the substantial facts or the
conference, as well as Gortchakot's own account or
the adr0it manner which he snuDbed his ptOus
visitors The account given by the delegates differs
very decidedly In tone from thas put forward to the
world BY the Prince. 1t reads as folows:-
THE AUDIENCE AT FRIEDRIcHs uApEN.
The preparatory deputatlon vera informed by the
Emperor, through Count SnuwalOn, or his readiness
to give hearing to the united deputatlons. Accord
GOrtchak0n, his Prime Minister and Chancellor OF
the Russian Empire, who In the meantime had like
wise arrived ut Fredrichshaten, and through whom
all important business Of the imperial government
must ne transacted, appointed Friday the l4th OF
As soon rs the deputies received this intelligence
they lett stuttgart In the express train Thursday
bafen, during the celebration or family festival,
the silver wedding or the King aud Queen OF WIr-
mistakaoe evidence er loyal attachment @ s to their @
sovereigns. The American depulation sent tnelr
congratulations to their Majeses in brief addi ess,
wlilch was graciously received.
ON the following morning. Friday, the 14th OF July,
the deputies. AFTER short meeting for prayer and
place OF the Interview, the Villa Tauoenheim, and
were most courteously received by the Prime Minis
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. m
Dr. Schaf after presenting TO Ills Hlrhness the
members Of the deputation by name, introduced, on
expressed the great respect entertained by the
saeq the Ds
lightened policy to his subjects. especially In the
emancipation Of 2s 600 Of serfs In permitting the
ating the religious condition OF Protestants in the
Baltic Provinces. since the deputatlon from the
Paris Brancn OF the Alliance had waited on His
Majesty last year with memorial on the subject
The deputati0Es which had now come across the At
political ecclesiastical objects TO serve their
tive was simply Christian one, In the cause OF re-
isionsts Of Various nations and creeds to approach
HIS Imperial Majesty with respectful petition that
the Greek Church or which otherwise interfere with
the rights OF conscience might be abolished or so
Ss 70 s 70
secure equally to Al, freedom or worship. Tney
believed that M % such az az a. act Of libsrallty would
better cit tzcns; while compulsion In matters Of
lglon tended TO create discomfort hypocrisy and In
fidelity, and to undermine the foundations OF gov
God bless HIS Imperial Majesty and give MIN Wis.
% tnrouaSout hs vast empire such Sose act w
crown Als iustri0us reign, and secure for him the
applause Of the Christian world and the gratitude
VOLUME OF PI0us RHEroRIc.
In the course of debate which followed the Rev.
DR.. Steane or England. explained the manner in
winch. IN his opinion. liberty Of conscience must be
NOT only to CHERISH bns also to profess ana 10 propa
gate the religious convictions which he has freely
anM G s" 80 Long as the
The object or the ospu.ation was further advo.
Gated by the Rev. DR. COulin, the Rev. DR.. Adams
bishop mscllvane. M Mr. " T. Dodge, Baron Won Iis.
Won sac and others Tne ast
gentleman assured the Prince that the present
mes da moi S hs s
Switzerland VINO codld have no political object In
view.
PRINCE aoRrcHAKOFF's REPLY.
rpy to ae and IN the % q
mi lV fn m OtNufn liz hn
with a courtesy ana ability becoming his nigh post
ton and long experience as statesman.
manner in which this delicate subject had been
brought before hts attention by the deputation and
cause OF religious liberty. He had no doubt Of the
purity OF their Intentions, and their freedom. from
desised That cvcry one thronrhout hls empire empire
should have liberty OF worship in the Church to
when ne ne Scoaged that Russia was country in
men present had only to visit ST. Petersburg to
Lutheran. reformed and other churches adorning
the principal street tNewski PrOspect In order be
convinced that religious liberty was fully granted
But while persecution was not allowed neither was
Russian government had been to put down the
sects which inculcatei immoral tenets, and As for
the rest" said the Prince iputung his hand before
MS eyes and looking through hisdingers. 1--WE deal
thus with theE.u
NE ADMITS INTOLERANCE
His Hlghncss frankly admitted that there we're
laws which forbade any ono leaving the Greek Rus.
sian Church after once becoming member OF Is
be different opinions; he had his own opinion; but
such were the laws Of the empire, and they could
only be changed by the Emperor. The time and
manner OF doing so must be lett with His Majesty,
who could not, for obvious reasons, suffer any ap
sure; any alteration modification OF the existing
laws must be done pyoprio mora For THIS reason,
would have been most happy in person to receive q
deputaton, yet looking to the large number OF tho
delegates present their nign social ,c standing n and
and considering the publicity which had already
been given to their intentlons.* It was manifested
foreign interference with the internal afairs OF Rus
sa and TINS IN tho interest OF the object itself must
The Prince admitted that in so vast an empire as
Russia abuses OF existing laws would be committed
of the Emperor; s.oulS he added Ills Majesty has
never refused 10 redress an injury after II mas been
Of this Statement, the fact Of Count o6rnsxis in
vestigation into the religious condition OF the IN
habtants Of the Baltic PROVINCES in 1894 was men
Toned and the measures OF relief which since that
time had been adopted Tie Prince took occasion
to say that the Let's and Esthonlans had long been
which the Empcrors government was endeavorInR
10 elevate them The co npaints OF Protestant mis-
n as East S
S' .on .Ss Ssr r2ss %ES sEa 9e
details, but disposed to do all that was lust and fair
si s sSsa SsS'sf w & fsiHEsSf s HSSso
with regard to the penal code applicable to persons
lchVlDX tHc OTUnOuOX CnurCn WAS u pfcCaTlOuS ana
uncertain guarantee. depending upon the lie and
dispositon OF one man. In illustration he reminded
the deputation Of the words OF the Emperor Alex.
ander l., TO whom Madame dc Stael once said
Sire, you are the best constitution for the Russian
empire;' to which His Majesty replied, MADAME,
am not q constitutions am only ON accident tie ne
SUITS Qat'ua dccden0ut
PRESENTATION OF THE MEs0RIALs.
AS Inc interview was drawing to q close the Hon.
William f. Dodge as President OF the American
Branch Of the Alliance, submitted to his Hiahness
e "a s ns a = BE-
kon, having, as he said, made himself previously
acquainted with o confidential copy, expressed at
mcnt
The Rev. DR.. Coulin, of Geneva, then arose and
put IN his hand the European memorial, with the
same request. The Prince began TO examine " ana
alter reading aloud few OF Its sentences ne em,
phatcalIy declared that inasmuch as IT contained
objectionable language In the form OF accusations
AGAINST the imperial government, he could n0t iay
this memorial before His Majesty. This REFUSAL cre
ated painful surprise. .
After short piusc the Prince suggested to the