White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1872-01-11
re rr..A Duke q @. Leuis.

81. LouIs. Jan. 6.-The formal reception Of the
Grand Duke Alexis took place IN the spacious
parlors Of the Southern Hotel at O'Clock. lno
rooms were crowded with ladies and gentlemen
who had assembled to witness the ceremonies,
md do honor to the representative Of SO powerful
.nJ friendly nation. Upon the Duke being usf-
cred into the parlor by the Reception Committee,
Mayor Bf5wn stepped forward and spoke - io'-
aYorR IMPERIAL HiGHSEss:-Under monarch
ical forms Of government it is customary for rank
TO be net by its equal on diplomatic or State 0c-
casions, but As in our system OF government we
have neither Kings, Princes, Cars, EmPerors,
nor other hereditary titles, We are able to meet
Won ON that standard ef equality. Yet. while We
have none of these, We are all s0vercigns, and as
snch we welcome you to the city Of St. Louis.
"Our government, a. yOu are aware, is repub-
lican, and While We prefer that to any other it is
not without its imperfectiOns, for il is difficult to
have liberty without license, or freedom without
abuse snd there ia, perhaps, no more despotic
power than that of majOrities. But, If We do Ia
i,or to some extent under these evils, we bear
them patiently, We know they are selfimpOs-
ed, and that our government has within itself tho
remedy; for the minority of to-day becomes the
ruling power or majority Of tomorrow. 1tmakes,
therefore, but little difference what the form of
government in, provided it ia welded for the good
of the government; and while that of America
may differ from that of Russia, there was an era
in the history of each when the liberty and hap
piness of millions were involved in q single act,
and most nobly did your royal father, by one
strok. Of the pen vindicate the rights of humani-
ty. Also, that ours was dipped in blood. ]
refer - the liberation of your serfs and our slaves;
and with 90 noble an example set by two of the
most powerful nations of the world, slavery must
soon cease to exist.
"There has long existed great friendliness and
cOrdiality between your government and ours.
and We trust such will always he maintained
And we especially desire to express to you our
racOUuifin,, nd fhanks f,r the Kindness
| shown by yOur august father to some Of our citi-
zens while in your country and we appreciate
them the more coming from 70 high source
Some of these gentlemen are now present, and
some slight manner at least, their appreciation Of
this fattering attention from the Car Of all the
Russians.
ave are pleased to find that you were not sat
isfed with visiting merely the capital of our ma
tiOn, bnt that you have penetrated to its center
and intend visiting its western borders, and thus
have an opportunity Of seeing our whole country
and people. Our city, we believe, is yet in its in.
fancy, though containing probably four hundred
| thousand souls; and as the cOuntry-l might say
continent-lying west of us, is rs yet sparsely
settled, it is fair to presume that As this grows
our city will grow; and, if the last fifty years
| may he taken as guide, to forecast of the fu-
ture We shall have here of the largest cities
| ON this continent. We feel greatly pleased In
showing you our public buildings and institutions
dous bridge across the Mississippi now in course
of construction, and aught else that will be like
| ly to interest or please you.
"On Monday evening we anticipate the pleas
ure of your company, and that your suite at an
entertainment given in your honor, and where
many of our people expect the pleasure Of meet
ing you. Trusting that your stay with us may
be pleasant and interesting, as we greatly desire
| ii shall be- again, in the name of the people Of
| St. Louis, we welcome you to our city.
His Imperial Highness responded as follows:
"GENTIEMEN:I thank you for yOur cordial
welcome. have come Westward with consider
able pleasure, wishing to see as much as / can Of
| the sources from which the wealth of yOur great
country will, in the future, be mainly derived,
and shall he happy to avail myself of your kind
offer TO visit your public buildings, your import
| ant manufactures, and the remarkable bridge
which will unite the East with the West, now di-
vided by the waters of the Mississippi"
Quite a large number of prominent citizens
were then formally introduced, after which the
ducal party retired to their apartments.
The programme for this afternoon is drive
around the city, and in the evening visit to the
Olympic Theatre.