The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-09
The Russian Government and the
United States.

We referred recently to the obligations
under. which the American people have
been placed by the house Of RoMANoFF.
We observe with satisfaction that several
well-informed correspondents have borne
testimony to the fact that we moderated
rather than exaggerated the services rem
dered to the Union by ALEXANDRA II. dur
ing the war Of the rebellion. It is never
theless alleged on the other hand that the
friendly attitude Of the Russian Govern
ment was prompted less by sympathy for
us than by enmity to England. Let Us see
how far such criticism Is well founded.
Only few years had elapsed after the
cooperation Of o French feet and army
led to the surrender Of CoRNwALLIs.
when the Federalist party showed a DISPOSE
ton to forget that France had been the
ally of the colonies. Their newspapers
pointed out that in supporting the struggle
Of the Americans for independence the Min
istars Of LOUIS XVI. were simply following
their traditional policy Of hostility to Eng
land and seeking to avenge the loss Of Can
ada. Some leading Federalists went 30 far
- to pretend that the Englishmen who had
tried to drown our liberties In blood were our
natural allies, while the Frenohmen who
had shed their own blood to help Us were
our natural enemies.
But. q was shown at the ensuing election
u THOMAS JE1TRRsoN. affection fop France
and dislike Of England were deeply rooted
In tho hearts Of an overwhelming majority
Of our citizens. So inenaceable was our
feeling for Frenohmen that we re-
fused b draw any technical distinctions
- khn - nd hA
ernments which succeeded 1t In Paris. and
bore with patience at the hands Of the
French republic and empire long series
Of outrages. whereas like treatment on the
part Of England was resented by the war Of
1914. In tho eyes Of the followers Of JEF-
YHssoN, who then constituted almost three
fourths Of the American people. q war with
the fellow countrymen Of the soldiers
who had helped US to open the gates Of
Yorktown was looked upon with adherence
- fratricidL and almost sacrilegious. Their
memories Of tho Revolutionary epoch were
TOO frssh to be Influenced by doubts con-
oerning the motives Of their allies.
Thsy felt instinotively that all actions OF
nations - Of individuals are prompted
BY mixed impulses; that national bless
ings should be an object not OF carping
scrutiny but Of Thanksgiving; and that 1t
III became Americans to impeach the
mottves Of friend like France. Conscious
~ or unconsciously they recognized that
national sentiments must. Like the feelings
of individuals. obey the laws of psychology.
Granting that the friendship OF France and
the United States had Its source In q
common enmity to England. the inevitable
effect Of cooperation. OF services rendered
and accepted. was to develop an ardent
sympathy and an unstinted good will which
bore no trace Of the original talnt OF self
interest and which have withstood tri-
umphantly the friction and mutation OF a
hundred years.
Let 1t be admitted that In Joining the
lesgue OF neutrals CATHERINE II. was
prompted by self-interest alone. Not the
less did her adherence to that coalition turn
the scsle In favor Of American independence.
Let 1t be acknowledged that In opening
his Baltic seaports to American vessels,
ALEXANDRA I. had In view the interests Of
his own subjects. which. as 1t happened.
were identical with those OF American citl-
xens. Tho same community Of interests
should have opened to our ships the har-
bors Of every State upon the Continent;
but the Gar. alone Of European sovereigns.
had the courage to thwart the omnipotent
NAroLEos In the matter OF commercial re-
stdstions, and 1t was not in human nature
so4 AmedcAns 10 withhold good VIII and