Daily Republican., 1881-03-15
GRANT AND THE CxAk.
The Tx. RResident's Reeollectiens
Of sho Assasafmat Ruler.

The Tx x'RRost0omt's k0e01locttem
II Of the Assassinatod kuler.
Gen. Grant, during his Buropea
tour, visited st. Petersburg twice, an
was received with marked courtesy b
the Czar and the Csarovitch at tn
Summer palaces. To New York re
porter he gave last night an account Q
his interviews with them after express
ing regret that the Emperor shoul
have met with so terrible death. ~
was In August 1873" he said, "that
first visited St. Petersburg. The Czs
was spending the Summer at his sum
mer palace, between thirty and fort,
miles hy rail from the city in 8 south
westerly direction. IwAs invited !,
the IL o'clock dinner with him, ant
during nay visit he entered into lonl
convsfsation. Gortschakof was present
and acted IS interpreter whenever tn,
Czsr convsrsei in French, ss he did
during the interview. He formerly
spoke B,glish quite Ruently,l am told
and while the greater par. Of our con
vsrsation was in English, he occasion.
ally glided into French. Gortsehakoff'l 4
Roglish was as perfect as that Of an
American, and was without the slight.
est foreign accent.
The Gar was then about sixty years
old, and although he was said to bsin
delicate health he did not look to be.
In fact his years had not told on him
and he presented the appearance Of a
very much younger man than he was.
lie vas fully six feet in height, was
perfectly erect, and in his military
uniform he presented commanding
figure.
He showed remarkable familiarit:
with the history and affairs Of our
country and much OF our conversation
was devoted to their discussion. No
reference Whatever was made TO Mill
ism or to the trou blss concerning which
so much was being published in the
European. and especially in the Eug-
lish Newspapers. noticed no such
unusual precautions fer his personal
protection IS one might naturally ex-
poet to find, after hearing in other
parts Of Europe the rumors concerning
the troubles in Russia. twas evident
however, that the Czar was some what
nervous, as one would naturally be
after so many attempts had been made
upon his life. My visit " him was an
agr seeable one. It was the only time
| ever saw him.
"The next day l visited the Care
witch at the Summer Palace, which
was also some distance ont Of st. Peters
burg, though In more southerly direo.
tion. Mrs. Grant accompanied me.
She was ushered into q room " here she
was received by tho wife Of the Care.
witch. l met the Czsrevitch in an ad-
joining roon. He speaks Knglish per-
iectly, and We spent some time in con
versation. He interrupted ii with the
remark that his wife was in the next
room and would b pleased to see me-.
They entertained Mrs. Grant AMI N.Y.
self in the most agreeable manner. It
was more like meeting with Americans,
and our visit was all the more enjoy
able on that account. The Czarevitch
Il very domestic in his habits, and evi.
dently deeply devoted to his family.
He appeared to be about forty years old
though he may have been consider
ably younger. I found that he was
very much esteemed BY the Russian
people,"
Gen. Grant was asked wba. evidence
Of Nihilism or discomfort he observed
among the Russians. ~ visited Mos.
COW and Warsaw" he replied, "and |
made many excursions into the coun-
try" visited every corner Of St.
Petersburg alone and on foot, aud I
probably saw great many things Of
which even many Of the residents are
perhaps ignorant, for went about for
the express purpose Of observing the
people and studying objects Of int rest.
The greater part Of my visit to St.
Peters burg. after tho formall!iss Of the
reception were over, was spent in these
trips. Not only In st. Petersburg and
other Russian cities did adopt this
course Of informing myself, but also In
every other European and Asistic city
Or town which cur party visited. II
'ould see nothing indicative Of ofNihilism
'r Of popular discomfort.
Here, you know, ii the people want
II the members of any par.
icular trade are demanding something
rom the employees, as in a strike, we
see some Indications in the
hape OF q street parade or collection
II men on the corners-somethipa
'ointing to the existence OF disturbed
ceiling. | saw nothing OF that sort in
russia, and could learn OF nothing.
had heard and read 30 much Of the
onfused condition of affairs before
eschipg Russian soil that | fully OK.
'ectsd TO find considerable evidence oil
isturbance. II a man had been sud
snly dropped into Russia who had
ever heard OF Nihilism, lie would GER
ainly never have discovered its exist
noe from any ything hs could have seen
NAo "A'o W 40 tuoI0. |
Referring to the violent death of the
Ear, Gen. Grant said he could not see
hat the people of Russia would gain
y 1t. Perhaps, he added, the fact that
is eldest son is more moral man NAV
ave an influence for the better upon
he politics of the country. The Car ,
as been greatly barasssd BY his sub.
'cts, and had indeed led q miserab BILE
fe. Yet he seemed to have an inter-
st in his people, as was evidenced by
is fresing the serfs. He had for A
umber of years, as the General knew,
cen willing to abdicats in favor of his
on. ''lt seems to me-" said the Gen.
raj, Ii had bsen in his place I !.
,ould have taken such q step some !,
me ago, and retired altogether from :
le management Of affairs" Gen.
rant made second visit to St Peters, y
nrg before leaving Europe, and did :