The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-04-26
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, D. c., April 20, n.
The great event OF the week has been
the visit of the Russian Grand Duke
Alexis and his brother Constantine
They came over from New York ON
Tuesday evening, and were quietly taken
to the residence of the Russian Minister
whose guests they will be while here.
On Wednesday, under the escort OF the
Russian Minister, they called at the
White House to pay their respects to
the President, and were received at the
door by Mr.. Everts, by whom they
were presented to MIR. Hayes. The
Secretary of State was done up IN his
most immaculate white choker and claw
hammer coat, and owing to his diploma
tic experience here and in Europe, was
certainly equal to the occasion, as Master
of ceremonies. The interview between
these sprigs of royalty and the President
was devoid of stiffness and formahty.
The customary set speech consisted OF
only the ordinary handshaking and
pleasant conversation generally for about
half an hour. Alexis was dressed in the
blue uniform of the Russian Navy and
beyond the chapeau, and a few gold and
diamond ornaments upon his coat, he
appeared much as the Russian officers
we notice frequently here on our streets.
His brother was similarly attired, while
their Minister supplied all Deficiencies
in the way of characterization, being
mass OF gold lace and gewgaws. In con-
sequence of his inability to suspend
decorations to his trousers and beng
confined to a mere line of gold thread to
the outside seams thereof, his gaudy
caparisoned coat reminded one OF
brilliantly tufted bird with all its tine
tail feathers plucked out, and only the
rusty and draggled ones doing the orna-
mentation for the neither extremity.
These notables visited the patent office
Yesterday, and the Dukes carefully in
spected such models as pertained to
arms and navy matters, and harvesting
dined with the President at the White
House. The State dinner was laid for
Sc persons, and the guests consisted of
the members of the cabinet and diplo-
rotie corps, and few distinguished
citizens. It was grand affair and never
was surpassed in taste displayed IN all
requisite to make it truly banquet to
distinguished foreigners. The Marine
Band diseoursed its best music during
the three hours that the dinner lasted.
Floral and other decorations were pro-
fuseIy used on the walls of the various
parIors and on the table, and nothing
was neglected calculated to please the
eye and palate of the guests. Alexis
will remain for several days. and SO
quietly is he conducting himself and so
noted is the absence of pomp and parade
in all his movements, that lie seems to
be following after Dom Pedro who would
not be King at all while here. He ap-
pears unchanged physically and remains
the same fine specimen of masculine
humanity in face and contour that fas-
cinated everybody when here years ago.
We presume the great Russian Bear is
now appeased and the American people
may once more breathe freely, since this
visit to our Capital indicates that the
slight put upon Russia by Gen. Grant,
in compelling the recall of Minister
Catacazy some years ago, is fully con-
doned. It was owing to this insult that
the Grand Duke could not again visit
here during President Grants admins
tration. We use the word insult in the
diplomatic sense, for in our judgment
General Grant was right in refusing to
hold intercourse with Catacazy either
as man or ambassador. Yet his action
became an affair of State, and has kept
Alexis in Norfolk and New York until
our new President assumed the reins OF
government. The attentions paid him
by Mr.. Hayes and Cabinet have certainly
been such as to convince him that this
administration has none but kindliest
feelings toward Russia and all its repre-
sentatiyes. Fs
LOUISIANA.
The President to-day spoke hopefully
of the Louisiana situation, and express
ed belief that this week would see an
adjustment of her tangled and vexatious
affairs upon a plan which would give
peace and security to her business inter
ests IS well as to all claims of her people
The positive assurance that the troops
will be withdrawn is expediating set
Element AMI would effect il at once were