The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-09-10
The snub Direct.


The American Evangelical Society and
it's confederates in Europe, through their
delegates, have been awfully snubbed by
the Russian Government. Itwas hoped by
these gentry that they would secure an ex-
tremely polite reception, and. probably
some concession, through the presence Of
certain prominent American statesmen ~
members of their committee. III this they
were grievously mistaken. Not the slight-
est approach to q concession was made, and
the politeuess extended to them was Sim
ply such as their personal responsibility
required. There was NO evidence that the
pressure was felt by Prince Gortschakoff,
no inclination on his part to soften refusal
by pretended inclination to comply if it
were not for this or that. On the contrary,
he very bluffly told them that Russia could
tolerate no foreign intervention whatever
in these matters, and that this affair had
the appearance Of foreign Intervention in
it's internal business.
The Prince was certainly as plain spoken
as could be expected of q diplomat. He
made no bones Of it. On the contrary, he
rather pitched into the gentlemen of the
Commission in q heavy style. He told
them that the principles of federation and
freedom of conscience were convictions of
the Gear, and were impressed on every
page of Russian history. This implied that
he was not much pleased with their insinu-
ations and allegations to the contrary.
Further, he threw them the gauntlet by
saying "tbat the history Of his country, in
this respect, presented an appearance the
like of which they would find it hard to
discover in the Same period in the annals
of other countries" This was going about
as far a. a gentleman trying to be pleasant
would care to go. Not only was his coun-
try tolerant aud liberal, but she was clearly
moro so than these very countries which
sent over am bassallors to snub her for her
intolerance.
What hit at the Great Republic which,
in politics, keeps One-fourth Of its territory
in the condition Of conquered provinces,
and in religion taxes Catholics to support
hostile sectarianism in tho shape of public
schools, insults Jews by passing Sunday
laws, and Expresses folks generally By put
ting Puritanism on the statnte book in the
shape of liquor lswsl The Prince virtually
said to them: Gentlemen, 60 home, and
give the Jews permission to keep their
Sabbath according to their own conscience,
let people regulate what they shall est and
drink by their own conscience, and send
their children to schools selected according
to their own conscience; then come and
We will compare notes. ..
Thus Gortschakof substantially told
these gentlemen, first, that they were quite
and, secondly, that they were
intolerant.
In his report to the Gear he, in addition
to this, charges them with being long,
winded and tiresome. He says: Many
of these gentlemen made long speeches,
and considered myself bound in courtesy
to hear them all with inexhaustible patti
ence. do not venture to expose your
Majesty to the same infection" He felici-
pletely, both in making himself understood
and in having maintained his politeness.
He says, in relation to the impression made
on the committee men by the interview ::
+" observed no sign of irritation, although
a recognition of a complete want Of success
was visible"
So Don Quixote has attacked the wind
mill, and got fairly knocked out of time
for his pains. How sane men could have
expected any other result for their imperti-
nent intermeddling we are at loss to see.
If the Gear aud his Grand Chancellor we're
such barbarlans as MOTTO understand the
subject of religious liberation, did this
committee expect to enlighten them in a
few moments conversation ? Or, if their
hearts were hardened against right and
justice, could these New England capital
lists expect to speak with more force than
did the seven plaques sent upon Egypt be-
cause of the Israelitish bondagef Did
they Calculate" with their patented Bos-
tonian sanctity to work more wonders OF
Gods grace in the conversion Of despotic
wrong than the Apostles themselves could
often do with all their miraclesf