Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-07

Society, diplomatic and other, at Washing |
ton and New York, is somewhat distracted be- |
tween the conflicting claims of hospitality and |
patriotism in connection with the approaching |
visit Of the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia. Hos
pitality of course requires that the semi-royal |
visitor should be received with every possible
mark of honor and distinction, and to contrib
ute to such a reception, is with those amiable
snobs who make up what is called "our best so
ciety," not only duty, but an inestimable priv
ilege. They have already organized in New
York formidable array of committees and sub
committees on balls, dinners, carriages, flowers,
receptions and invitations, with as mnch expen-
diture of money and as laborious balancing of
questions Of propriety and policy as would suf-
fee for a presidential canvass. All this and
much more is cheerfully done for Alexis; there
is hardly a family man in "society" who would
noti make any sacrifice to Secure the dis
tinction of entertaining him at dinner, or
young lady who would not throw over her
most devoted admirer for the sake of dancing
with him. This is what we understand by
hospitality when a prince is in question; es-
peciay prince so young so handsome, so
fascinating, and unmarried. To be sure, it is
said that an alliance has been arranged for him,
but such ties may be broken by princes as well
as by humber mOrtals, and he would not have
to fear a suit for breach of promise. If Alexis
only were to be considered, the path of duty
would be plain and delightful. But there is
NJ. Catacazy, the Russian minister, who will
necessarily be the princes mentor and com
nauioO and Vvh hos bnpO puiIfy pfc
FERROUS but terrible offence that has provoked
the wrath of the president, and even of the long
suffering Mr.. Fish, to that point that they re-
fuse TO speak 10 him. Every good American
must spouse his country's quarrel 1t will be
impossible TO be more than dstantly civil to NJ.
Catacazy, and the distressing problem is how to
reconcile this frigid courtesy to the offending
diplomatist, with the ELUSIVE cordiality which
everybody desires TO show TO the prince
The rumors that have been long current of
dissatisfaction with NJ Catacazy personally on
the part of Mr.. Fish, are officially confirmed,
although the nature of his offense is still OBJ
scure. So long ago as last June, it seems, the
Russian government was requested to recall its
minister in Washington for personal reasons /;
hut the chancellor declined to bring the mat
Ter to the cars notice, because the time before
the contemplated visit of the grand duke to this
country was too short for a new minister to be es
tabshed in season to look after the young man
while here Mr.. Fish still insisted that the cars
attention should be called to his request, and in
August Mr.. Curtin, our minister at St. Peters
burg, found an opportunity to do this. 1t was
admitted to be too late then to make
change, and Mr.. Caacazy was accordingly in.
formed that he would be received bv the presi-
dent, if he appeared in the train of the grand
duke, but the president would not receive him
under any other circumstances, nor at any time
hold conversation with him, ard that immedi-
ately after the end of the grand dukes visit his
passports would be sent him, if he should not
be previously recalled by his own government.
This diplomatic quarrel cannot fail to mar, in
some degree, the cordially of Alexis reception
in Washington, but the New York people will
manage to reconcile the conflicting duties, or, il
they don't, it is no., perhaps, of much eonse
Quence.