Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-19
A SCENE IN THE BERLIN CONGRESS.

GOrtsch0EOH on Russ1o's Sacrifices.
Berlin Correspondence London Times
At the beginning of yesterdays sitting
there was really interesting scene, which
deserves to be noticed.
Prince Gortschakoff, detained in his bed
by govt, has not been able to attend the
last sittings. AT yesterdays meeting he
came in his carriage, which stopped at the
entrance whence the prince was carried to
the door of the council-room, when every one
FASTENED round him to congratulate him on
the restoration of his health. Soon after
ward Prince Bismark declared the sitting
opened. Prince Gortschakoff then begged
permission to speak, and though the presi-
dent exhorted him to be seated. he rose with
apparent effort, and, amid profound and re-
spectful silence, said:
''Mr. President, Your Excellencies: After
having been kept away for several days from
our deliberations, do not like to reappear
among you without making the following re-
marks, which are prompted by the love of
truth and of my country. During your late
deliberations my colleague (the prince here
bowed toward M. d'Oubril and Count
Schouvalotf) have granted you, in the name
OF Russia, concessions far surprising those
she thought of making
On hearing this all the members of the
congress evinced sings of apprehension. This
aged prince spoke with effort in trembling
voice, holding firmly to the table, and look
ing before him with a resolute expression,
and his auditors began to wonder whether
his words were not the prelude to declara-
ton withdrawing the concessions Russia had
made, and whether it was not to make this
declaration that the prince had braved the
extreme fatigue imposed on him by his
presence IN the congress. Happily, how
ever, the plenipotentaries were soon reas-
sured by the prince continuing:
"But am too well aware of the feelings
which influenced my colleagues to raise any
objection to the concessions the7 deemed it
their duty to make. I merely wish to state
to you what is very well known, that Russia
has made these sacrifices from her desire of
peace, and that she spoke truth when de-
clarlng, Eefore as we'll as at the end of the
war, that she merely stood up on behalf of
the Christians of the east, that she had no
narrow or selfish aim, and that, having made
enormous sacrifices in war in which the
cause of Christianity and civilization was
alone at stake, she has just proved herself
capable of also making sacrifices for the
great work of pacifcation to which you are
devoting your efforts. I suppose no one will
gainsay the glory of her army, which has
achieved the most brilliant victories; but
Russia wishes it to be known that she is de-
sirous of exchanging the laurels of victory,
bought with the most precious blood, for the
palm of peace
These words were followed by a profound
Silence, due, probably, to the emotion of his
auditors; for the spectacle of the illustrious
old man thus exerting his last energies to
vlndicate the moral greatness of his country
was really calculated to touch the heart.
After few moments Lord Beaconsfield rose
and begged to be heard. In language which
l have heard greatly extolled, but of which I
have not been able to obtain the exact text,
the English premier, with that varied action
peculiar to him, thus began:
II feel sure l shall interpret your senti-
ments in expressing the profound admiration
l. have felt for the language of my noble and
Industrious friend, and the way in which he
has gwen utterance to the true sentiments of
his country. I am happy to think that it is
a desire for peace which has guided the de-
clslons of Russia in the late deliberations.
l therefore hasten to acknowledge it in the
name of this illustrious congress, listening
to me, and I firmly hope that shall meet
with the same sentiment in all it's delibera-
tions.''
Lord Beaconsfeld spoke for several
minutes longer and then sat down, and the
real business of the meeting begun after
this somewhat sentimental incident. by
which, however, the noble lord produced the
best possible effect on all his auditors. IT is
said that Prince Gortschakotf will appear at
no more sittings in the congress, and that
the words of his have just quoted are the
last the plenipotentiaries will hear from
him.