The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-11-15

| Ilt ltIlTGLutuI " oOl
from the position of prime minister of
the largest empire in the civilized
world. A man who has for so many
years been concerned directly in the
history of Europe deserves more than
a passing notice upon his retirement
from public life.
Prince Alexander Gortschakof comes
of a noble family which traces its line
back for centuries. The paternal Gort-
schakoff was not noted for any partic-
ular brilliance of intellect, but his
three sons all became famous-two Of
them as generals, and one, Alexander,
as a diplomatist. Prince Peter, who
was born in 1890, took part in the wars
against Turkey, and in 1889 wa made
governor of Eastern Siberia. In 1s43
he became general of infantry and re-
tired from the service in 1851.
Prince Michael, born in 1895, was
prominent in many Of the Russian
wars and in 1856 succeeded Prince
M~enschikoh as commander of the Rus
sian forces in the Crimea. He super
intended the famous defence of Ssbas-
tapol, and made a mastery retreat. He
died in 1851.
Prince Alexander was born In 1900.
1t is a remarkable fact that the three
brothers were born just Eve years apart
Alexander was trained for the diplo-
matte service and represented Russia at
various European courts. In 1855 he
negotiated the peace between Russia
and the western powers. In 1856 he
was appointed minister of foreign
affairs and greatly distinguished him.
self In 1853, during the Polish insur-
r%ection, in preventing foreign interven-
ton; In 1852 he was appointed vice
chancellor, and in 1868 chancellor Of
the empire. In 1901 he was instru-
mental in terminating the treaty Of
Paris IN relation to preventing Russian
ships cruising in the Black sea. He
has been influential in the settlement
of most OF the great European questions
of the past quarter of a century. He
also represented Russia in the congress
Of Berlin although he was very i'll at
the time. His hand has long been up
permost in the doings Of Russia for
many years and he has ever possessed
the confidence Of the car. 1t is only
the in6rmity Of age that now compels
his retirement. The emperor parts
with him reluctantly since he has aver
been successful in getting Russia out of
every difficulty.
or his appearance and ability ex-Gov.
Curtin, formerly minister to st. Peters
burg, speaks in the highest terms in
the following extract: ''The
statesmen in Russia who i'm
Immediately surround the tn rome In
the government of the country are, in
my judgment, quite the equals of any
in the world. They are very enlighten-
ed men-men who would be ministers
in other countries, and make the gov
ern ment Of the country. Gortschakoff
is, of course, the leading spirit. He is
now about in his eightieth year.. He
has been a long time In the public SER
vice. LIDO not think he was ever a
strong man, but he takes excellent care
of himself. He is n very prudent nan
in his living, very simple ia his habits,
and entirely devoted to the public SER
vice. He is q man of great variety of
learning and requirements, and of very
refined tastes in all the ornaments and
elegancies OF literature, as well as in
art; ut the same time he is profoundly
learned in all that relates to his times,
and in the laws of nations. He has
been in all the conferences Of Europe
for many years taking part in the set
Element Of all the great questions; has
been foreign minister before he came
to his present position; was adjunct
chancellor and on NesselroJe's re-
tirement became his successor. This
occurred before the death Of Nicholas
and he has been chancellor ever since.
He is q very polished man, and one of
the handsomest old men I ever saw;
small in stature, but elegant in appear
ance; very quiet in manner and very
agreeable, but with all the ~vivacity of a
man of forty. He comes from a very
distinguished family, n which even
anteceeds the czar. 1t runs back u
thousand years. His power as chancel-
lor Of the Russian empire is next to
that Of the sovereign. He has more
power than is represented by the chan
cellor of the German empire, or by the
prime minister Of England, OF the
chief cabinent officer of the United
States, and he enjoys to a wonderful
extent the confidence of the sovereign.
He is also very popular with the nation
from the fact that the Russian people
believe, and justly, too, that he was a
very firm believer in the manumission
OF the serf. He was very anxious for
1t and he had the sagacity to understand
otter the close Of the Crimean war,
which resulted very disastrously to
Russia, and which exhausted the nation
financially, that 1t Was not polite for
that government to carry on another
war nUainst an many ~pat{ona nplaoo