New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-31

this great disadvantage American opinions upon Rus
san topics such the Polish question: siberian exile.
the Central Asian question: and the Caucasian are
based upon Information which he's been obtained excu-
svey from English and they inaccurate and
unfair only opinions founded upon parte state
ments be. Even when English journals intend to be
reasonably truthful and impartial in their comments
upon Russian Affairs, their representations are more or
less tinged with partisan prejudice. The Smthate Of
truth"-to use metaphor Of Oliver Wendell Holmes
Is never the the Browna ate Of TRUTH" and
Russian nct dissolved in the British mind
quire almost inevitably properties that when it
erystalzes again in expression 1t has entirely
OF facets and angles.
As illustration of the great wrong which is done
Russia In accepting English accounts Of her movements
and English interpretations OF her motives, let recall
for moment her famous with the mount ineers Of
the Caucaaus--a whose origin. history ana results.
have studied on the ground How that repre-.
scented in American IL declared by English
papers to DE cruel and unprovokei assault upon
brave. noble, and ndependent people, whose only
was their love Of liberty.
1t prompted they said, by that insaate ambition
and that lust OF conquest which the guiding princi
pies of Russian policy, and IL carried with the
brutality and obstinacy which the distinguishing
traits of the Russian character In vain the brave but
unfortunate Crcassians driven from mountain peak
took refuge upon another; they pursued, sur
roundco, and extermnated with RELENTLESS feroety."
Their final sujugation was, according to the British
press. crime against which adj Chrstendom ought to
protest
Now, what were the facts from the Russian point OF
viewi AT the beginning OF the present century the
Caucasian mountain range was inhabited by 100000 or
more Hardy. brave. cruel, NOhammedan bTgands They
had been at among themselves with their neigh
b0rs for a thousand years. Feuds their only in
MISREPRESENTATION and blood revenge their only
legal remedies. plumber their principal means OF sub
sisfpn Immediately
lay a series Of fertile cultivated valleys inhabited by
civilized Christian people known as the Goorgans Over
heads of these GcOrgans the Caucasian mounaneors
hung Nike living sword Of Damoces, and rs OFTEN as
that terrible sword fell it filed the sunny valleys Of
Kakhctia with the smoke Of burning villages, and
Redeemed the clear Georgian streams with the best
Christian blood. Almost every foot OF the beautiful
cOintry lying north Of the River Kur rayaged anu
csOlatcd by raidng bands OF Caucasian hOrscmen. who
came down from hight of 10000 feet like mountain
Storm swept the green valleys OF the Kr and the Aazan
with and sword, and then vanished mp some dark
ravne carrying with them Of wrCtched captiyes,
and leaving behind them nothing but the smoking ruins
OF Georgian iarmhOu5es
Hundreds OF Christian families were annually carried
up the mountains of Daghestan IA slaves and the
youngest and beautiful OF the women were passed
along the the Black Sea coast, where they we're
sold 10 the agents of Turkish hIrens. So terrible
scourge did these raids of the Caucasian mouna
becOmc the fla itants Of the Georgian valleys that
the last Georgian King after repeatedly imDlDrlng the
assistance and protection Of e Russian Empress, Cath
arinc H. finally 1901 abdicated his throne in favor or
her successor. Paul IL lie wrote To the latter mourn
mi letter. rcsgnng his scepter, recOuning the usfor-
times and srings OF his unhappy people, pleading the
claims Of Christian brotherhood, and ending with the
pathetic cry Fer Gods sake belp us The Kingdom Of
Georgia has ceased 10 exist 1t mas been carried away
captive into the mountains of the Clucasus.'
Russia responded promptly to This call FOR aid Six or
eight ba,tal crs CT Russian infantry moved up tine
ecrgan Valley from The Caspian sea-coas and notice
was given TO the Caucasian mountaincers that taer
raids INTO territory which beongei 10 the Emperor
must cease Not the slightest attention was paid 10 tine
waruinI The hshlandors continued 10 swoop down
li1, mountain hawks upon tire Georgian Villages along
the btse NJ the range enever the latter Uerc lett IN
rarisonc sud became cvidrli nat III order 10
protert Georgia Russia must dCk the Inuntsiheers IN
their native Businesses. War deciaieG N lsOl, ana
bosriltlc. continued with only occasional intervals OF
peace for more than half century. After the sacrifice
81 millions and tens Of thousands Of lives tue
nountaineer4 finally conquered, and the harassed
Christians Of Geo ra. for the first time in hundred
years could come out Of their fortified churches ana
look I'D TO the white peaks OF the Caucasus without
thrill Of ~ ad.
During all this time where were the sympalies OF Eli
gland! With the prosecuted, batue"asied, almost e-
terminated Christians OF Georgia. Far from it, Then
~ now tine guiding principle OF British 7t't'SminShip
seemed TO be with anybody against Russia Ihe spec
t,c.e of Christian people struggling vaniy fOf exist
n,cc IN the midst Of hostile MOiammedan powers ana
orc down at last By overwhelming odts did not eXtort
from E,rlaud q single expression OF 3ympathy or pity
Rut the WRONGS" OF the unfortunate nonntalnrerS'
WHO we're not allowed to prove their nobility ana MAIN
TAIN tc'r freedom by sach.Eg Christian Churches ouih-
m, O. ,stian villages aid ou;rlgirg Christian wOmeh
were trumpted through English newspapers ~ al the
world, Journals like ne PdH Nal Gd?she Whlch co'Ld
r,ore easily minute selfish motives than undcrStahi
uob Dies denounced the interference Of Rls "A ia Tue
CaLca,y, a. an unprovOkcd aggression OF tyrahicaI
noSor and 50 persstcnsy were the wrongs OF Tue
,nouutaipeers rGguled and the suforings OF the
Georgian Christians ignored by the EuGlsh press tdV
fourdsths ~ intelligent American readers were e 70
b.levo that the conquest Of tie Caucasus was CRIME
AGAINST humanity.
Htory sometimes repeats itself and Russia Is no" '
doayorng 10 do for the oppressed Christians ol b""
VIA, in the first half OF tins century she did Tor the per
sccnteJ Christians OF Georgia She IL again oppoSed Dy
british Craftsmanship. and her motives AGAIN mSFepie-
ep.ed nv the British press Americans should not IT
again uisei Az Christian nation az lhrIa! -io''hs
,,i,u tar should try do Al least justice 70 s.cd
ard noble people WHO are maintaining the Tisn'" %
cl,ristap kjnsrnen and defending as America WOd Ut
fond the affairs OF the Christian Church.
Nep York, Jan. %, 1877. "Eo''" NH'''