The New York herald., 1871-11-23

'~sS~- - "--'-F f~4t -
Alexis.
The HERALD special dispatches from Wash
ington last night bring US the Information,
said To have bcen derived from reliable
sources, that the real mission Of the Grand
Duke Alexis to this country ID to propose to
our government an alliance, offensive and
defensive, between the two nations, with
view not only TO present anticipated complca-
tions in Europe, but also to future operations
on gigantic scale In Asia. We are told that
Russia desires eur active aid in the event OF
q European war, or at least that we shall
SO oover the seas with privateers sailing
under Russian letters of marque-of course
all treaties and laws TO the contrary notwi.h-
standings to paralyze the already equity
arm of Old England on the seas. This accom-
plished, the Emperor Alexander believes he
can defy all Europe; and we have no doubt
that in this respect at least, In the language
Of New York politicians, the Emperor Alex
ander's head is level. A''''- '.N,s' ~ :. .;ss3 -
So, then, this interesting, fair-halred and
blue eyed Prince, with his modest manners
and his placid countenance. is, after all,
MachiavelI in disguise, and as ''davilisa sly"
as Joe Bagstock himself While everybody
has been led to believe that he came here
bent only on touching the susceptible hearts
of our American beauties, the real object of
his visit appears to be to penetrate through
the thick smoke of the Presidential cigar and
to take captive the oas-iron old Hero of the
Wilderness. A committee Of our most respect
able and corpulent citizens have been fussing
for two or three weeks over the fitting up OF
reception rooms and chambers at the Claren-
don with flowers and frescoes, mirrors and
muslins, paintings and perfumes to crafty the
refined taste Of the s'sweet young Prince"
and 10! their guest. Immediately after his
from his hands and face, runs comb through
his fair locks, throws change OF linen and
half dozen shirt collars into valisa, jumps
on train and steams off to Washington to
commence his diplomatic labors with the
taciturn occupant of the White House. Our
militia regiments put on their finest of fneries,
bring out their best and biggest bands, give
an extra polish to their bright bayonets and
an additional roll of padding to their swelling
chests, to do honor to the royal sailor-soldier
or warrior of all trades; but as they march in
review before him his eye passes with protane
Indifference over the perfect get-up of the
Colonel of the Ninth and rests with kindling
beam of qualification on the one-armed leader
Of the Veteran Reserves, and on the dusky
uniforms and tattered flag, that tell how faith
fully in days gone by the brave men who now
follow him SO quietly on parade, dashed with
him into the hot smoke Of the enemy's guns.
Our ladies and nice youag men keep them
selves in furry of hustle and excitement
over the preparations for the grand ball, at
which the handsome Duke is expected to
dance, while the royal youth, measuring six
feet one in his stockings, is dreaming of moth
ing softer than cannon balls and of no other
galops than the galloping Of Russian hussars.
Well, the policy Of the United States has
hitherto-and wisely-been ''no entangling
alliances with foreign nations" But, In tho
wonderful growth of our power, influence and
wealth, and in the astounding revolutions yet
to be made throughout the globe through the
agencies Of steam and electricity, who can
say how soon this theory may be scattered to
the winds to keep company with negro
slavery, State rights, the democratic party
and the charter of the Tammauy Society," It
may ere long become necessary for US to
stretch our magnetic arm from Alaska, along
the islands of the Aleutian Archipelago,
across the Sea of Japan, to grasp bands with
Russia In the Corea, not to speak of Governor
Gilpin's grand idea Of linking ourselves with
iron rails to st. Petersburg over the insignif-
cant little ditch of Behring Strait In view of
the magnificent political victory recently won
by General Jenny O'Brien, we may even
have to throw down the gauntlet to perfdious
Albion on behalf of the republic of Hibernia,
and in that contingency Russia would as
suredly be q valuable military ally. At all
events the government Of the United States
has always found its warmest friend IN the
latitude of ifty-nine degrees fifty-six minutes
North, and probably the young republic of the
West has not single enemy between the
Arctic Ocean and the Caspian Sea. President
Grant and his advisers will give friendly ear
and full consideration to the propositions Of
the royal diplomat, whatever may be their
final determination. In the event of Euro
pean war Russia may safely calculate upon
Ahe hearty sympathy, at least, Of the United
States, and It would be singular If the stand
ard Of the double-headed eagle did not draw
Tn II cnnsidora hIe m atori,l aid az wall Tbo
extent Of our coast, too, would render the
escape of privateers for Russian service very
probable, even if the government at Washing
ton should occupy neutral position between
the belligerents. Such accidents have hap
pened in the best regulated nations, and may
occur again. AT all events it is now clear that
this innocent young sprig of royalty, whose