Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-01-28
THE PRINCE ALEXIS.

Although, as will be seen nom our
local report, arrangements have not
been concluded for the reception
of the Prince Alexis, we yet have
reason to believe that they will be
such as will reflect credit upon the cit
liens of Memphis, who very properly
are q unit in the desire that with be-
coming dignity and with a lavish
generosity COMFORTING with our posi-
ton and pretensions as a commercial
community, the representative Of a
friendly power shall be received and
feted. 1t is perfectly consistent with
our repubncanism and manhood
that Alexis should be received with
as much Of honor as we r in
the habit OF bestowing upon our own
distinguished men. The argument
Of the accident of birth" will not
weigh on an occasion like this. We
have nothing to do with that nor with
the facts of history, o the wide diff
ference of views between the reign
ing family of Russia and those who,
under that absolutism, desire or have
contended for the political system Of
which the United States is yet the best
existing illustration. 1t is enough for
US that we are called upon to extend
a cordial reception to the guest OF the
republic, that we II called upon to
add our words of welcome to those
which have already made the gal
liant young prince feel as If he
were on the soil Of his father in
stead of upon that CT the United States.
1t is our duty to make our reception
and welcome comport with the gene
rous and independent character Of our
people, blending with manly words
those Of the simple courtesy that OBJ
tains in polite society. Toadyism
must be forced in the background;
indeed, we know it will If the lead is
taken, as it must be, by our mayor
than whom we have no better model
of that sturdy independence which
has yet in large degree, in this part
of the country, outlived war and
revolution. A committee Of the gen.
eraI council, headed by the mayor, /
accompanied by our judicial digni-
taries, accompanied by the sheriff and
a committee Of citizens representing
the leading avocatiOns, should
go to Brownsville, and there formally
receive the Duke and his suite, re-
turning with them to Memphis as es-
cort to the Peabody hotel, of which
he is to be a guest. Then, in charge
of a committee, he should be shown
the city taken to every point Oiinterest
so that, as much as possible, the peO-
pie, all unused to princes" may
have an opportunity OF gratifying a
curiosity that seems to be a common
with the ace Of Adam every
Exclusiveness is as much to
be avoided as toadyism. 1t must be
remembered that Alexis is here
not rs the guest of any clique,
or sell. appointed representatives OF
but Of the people. AS such
be should be received with every de-
mo~nstratfon becoming our peculiar
political system. The ballroom OF
the Overton should be thrown open
30 as to take in as many az it will
hold and generally every facility
should be afforded the ladies-whom
his last form Of show most nearly
,Oneerns-to see a gentleman who,
wherever he has gone, has won
he esteem Of all with whom he
has been brought In contact
The nearer we approach the day
when the Grand Duke will be our
,uest, the greater the interest and
he more absorbing the anxieties.
These last should be set at rest at once
~ a prompt publication of the action
II the committees charged with get
ing up a programme. Meanwhile
We feel safe in saying to our ladies,
you a make your purchases and
,et up your toilets, the Princes ball {
s a certainty"