The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-04


pending conflict, rs they were also during
the Crimean war, and have always been
when Russia has had occasion to fight, with
the single exception of her interference in
the Austrian Hungarian struggle, when the
moral support Of our people was given to
Kossuth and his compatriots. But even
then the object of our antipathy was not
Russia, but Austria. The American gov
eminent never exchanged any diplomatic
notes with Russia on that subject, but two
of the severest and most pungent letters
ever written by American Secretaries OF State
were directed against Austria in connection
with the Hungarian struggle. We OF course
refer to the celebrated and scathing Hulse-
mann letter Of Webster and the hardly less
noted Rosetta letter of Marcy. But although
the defeat Of Kossuth was due to Russia
our ancient friendship caused us to turn
blind eye to what she had done in TINT con-
juncture On oil other occasions our full
sympathy has been given to Russia. When
Napoleon was driven out of Moscow large
public dinner was held in Boston in honor
Of the Russian deliverance.
Our friendship for Russia continues as
warm as it has ever been, and if she gets
involved in war with England our people
will wish her success and rejoice in her
victories. Our ancient, persistent and
almost affectionate friendship for Russia,
which has been steadily maintained with
out break or interruption, is one OF the
most remarkable phenomena in interna-
tional history. The institutions of the two
great countries thus linked in constant
friendship are Numerically opposite.
Russia is the great modern exemplar
of despotism, and the United States
of democracy. The interest they have
so long taken in each other can
not be explained by political SYM
pathy. Still there is in it nothing like
caprice. 1t can be accounted for on solid
and rational principles. and we trust it
may long endure.
Before going back to the origin Of this
remarkable friendship we will briefly allude
to some Of the later events by which it has
been cemented. The generous magnanim-
ity with which Russia acted toward us dur
ing our civil war is fresh in the public rec
election She is the one great nation
which stood by us without taltering. While
England did US all the injury she could
without becoming the open ally of the
Confederates, and France intrigued for
joint European intervention in
their favor, Russia promptly rejected
all such advances and kept assuring
our government Of her good will Not only
did her conduct during the war establish
claim to our gratitude. but the most i'm.
portant event Of the war, the emancipation
Of the slaves, created a fellowship in good
works, Russia. in q spirit OF justice and hu-
manity, having, recently emancipated her
serfs Soon after the close of the war she
gave the first and only recognition which
has ever been made by great European
Power having possessions on this continent
of our Monroe doctrine. She made vol
untary retirement from America by the sale
of Alaska to the United States, thus render
ing it impossible that there should ever be
conflict Of interest between the two coun-
tries. No other nation, with the exception
OF France during our Revolution, has ever
treated us with. so much mngnanimity as
Russia. t~
Another ground of American sympathy
with Russia is our ability to enter perfectly
into her point Of view with reference to the
outlets from the Euxine into the Meditcr-
rancan. We were once in o similar predica-
ment, and can therefore understand the
force Of her motives For the first twenty
years after our independence the lower part
of the Mississippi and its whole western
bank belonged to foreign Powers. Let us
suppose that the opportunity which Jeffer-
son SO promptly seized had not occurred,
or that, having occurred, we had had at that
time a President less sagacity and decision,
and that the Lower Mississippi still belonged
10 some foreign government. What American
is there whose heart does not tell him that
in such case it would be one of the
steadest objects of American policy to gain
possession Of that great outlet? 1t would
be one Of the aims which the country would
never think of relinquishing. Now, the
free use Of the Bosphorus end Dardanelles
is rs indispensable to Russia as the free use
OF the Mississippi is to the United States.
Every American who has ever compared a
map OF his own country and map OF
southern Russia and perceived the close
similarity OF situation must appreciate the
vchemencc and recognize the justice
of the Russian desire for free com.
munication with the outside world.
Besides, VIC are a commercial nation, and ii
''the unspeakable Turk" were out Of Europe
and Russia held those ancient seats OF
wealth Turkey would become one of the
most prosperous regions of the globe and
Constantinople one of tho important COM
mercial cities. Every trading nation would
be benefited. The fact that il would add
to the power Of Russia is no objection in
the minds OF Americans, although that is
..aa.,, ,yhx, Woutarn and Captral