The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-03-18
For the IutsllIEsussr.
THE GEAR.


Significant Action OF HIS In ReIerene
TO AN American Citizen OF African ID
scent,
Apart from the horror which the un
timely and dreadful death OF the Car ez
cites, he was individually, in many re
spects, so superior to his predecessors, 81
intellectual, so liberal, 80 humane, tina
personal regret minglss with our amaze
ment as we read the particulars Of bill
assassination, The man who In lie lib
Grated fifty million OF serls, and was th'
first European sovereign to forward ex
pressions Of regret on the occasion Of thu
assassination OF our martyred President
Is not likely to need, In death, dit CoulC
be OF use to him) American sympathy,
There are other considerations, however
suggested by the event, that tend to EN-
barTsss one In the disposition OF his sym
palhles. In these latter years, 80 wonder
iul has been the impulse given TO the cur
rent Of political progress, that oil barriers
In its way, seem 10 be but hy.blowH. Nov
the late Car, Notwithstanding his many
personal virtues, and his many praise
worthy acts, was the acknowledged antag
onist OF this progress-the great represen'
tativs oil old time, Bourbon absolutiSm
The fate OF such man was inevitable; II
was long anticipated; 1t has come at last
and are ireemen to object? Here, then, Ia
the conflict that puzzles one: there are
tears for the man, but there Ia aCquiescenCe
there Is more than aCquiesCenCe-thera
Is triumph, at the DEGREES Of that Provl'
denCe, that In, all its ways seems Ia, promise
good government to men,
The writer 10 not an advocate OF sssas-
sination. He Ia only describing the con.
tending reflections and emotions that O
notable event occasions In him. Was that
event q base murder, or was II an inevita.
BILE sacrifice In the march OF an oppressed
people towards constitutional government
and ircedomY That is the question.
AS a contribution towards the fund oil
facts ON which 10 base correct opinion oil
the dead Emperor, | append letter Of Mr..
CLAY, our Minister to Russia In the year
1867. 1t describes q most interesting In.
Cident, and as have never seen the letter,
save in the documents OF the State de.
partment, II may be new to some Of your
readers:
Mr.. CLAY to Mr.. Seward;
LEGATION OF TIE UNITED STATES.
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA, Feb. 0, 1867,
SIR:-Oapt. I, Morris Chester, late Of
the United States Army, being In st. Pc.
tersburg, coming we'll recommended by
distinguished citizens Of the United States,
and being also we'll educated and Of good
address, | called upon the Minister Of
Foreign Affairs and told him that would
not apply In the usual way by note 10 have
Capt. Chester, Colored American citizen,
presented to His Imperial Majesty, as
there was no precedent, and l did not
know how His Imperial Majesty would be
disposed to oct but l desired that he
would approach His Imperial Majesty in
an informal way, and ascertain bis wishes
in this regard. The Assistant Minister oil
Foreign fairs, NJ. de Westman, acquieBced
10 the proposal, and In few days wrote
me that the Emperor had given orders to
have Capt. Chester's name put upon the
list Of persons for the first presentation.
To-day being the occasion OF q grand re.
view Of the National Guard, the Emperor
sent an invitation to Capt Chester to assist
In the review, which he did, riding around
with His Imperial Msjestv's staff, and Ia.
king lunch at the Winter Palace, with the
staff officers and portion OF the Imperial
family, who accompanied the Emperor OF
the lunch.
have made these facts known 10 you,
as l regard the affair oil some Importance.
We have four millions Of Colored citizens /;
they are with us, and OF us, for good or
evil. l think that II is the duty OF all good
citizens TO try and elevate the African race
in America, and inspire them with all pos.
slble relf respect; and prepare them for
that ultimate influence which sooner or
later they must have upon the political
and economical interests OF the United
States. These are the views which have
influenced my action in this case, which,
not partiEan In their character, l should
hope would be satisfactory 10 oil patriotic
Americans.
Having, however, discharged my duty,
without regard to personal considerations,
I submit my action frankly 10 your judg.
ment.
l am, my dear cir, your most obedlent
servant,
ON. CLAY.
Hon. W. II. SEWARD,
seC'y OF State, Washington, D. O.