The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-26
RUSSIA AND THE UNIFIED STATES.
A Timely Word Well spoh on.

Prom hfnfasr Charles Emory Smiths Speech in Pha 'e,ps
All this was an instructive. spontaneous re-
| sponse to call OF humanity. But beyond that
there was measure OF poetic and historic JUS
| tice in It. It was right that We should be tho
friend OF Russia In her time OF need because
hussia was our best friend In tho time Of our
trial. This is the unchallenged record OF his
tory. You know 1t from the traditions. know
1t from the archives. other governments. I
will not say other peoples. Of Europe wanted
to SEQ us o discovered nation. Russia stood
fast as the ono firm. open. unaltcrabls friend
OF an undivided American Union. And should
like to say to my Southern brethren that this
was not because OF any special hostility to tho
south. Naturally the liberal minded Alexan-
der H.. who had liberated 10000. 900 Of serfs,
gave his hand and his heart In sympathy with
Abraham Lincoln. who emancipated 4.OOO. 900
of slaves. But the policy OF Russia rested on
deeper and broader grounds. Russia was our
avowed. undisEuised friend and ally. because
she held that great. strong. progressive.
united American nation. under government
OF its rightful choice. was best for the Ameri.
can continent and best for the interests Of all
the world. In that principle of statesmnnship
she believed. and on that principle she acted
No man can estimate the value of her position
and her influence in that crisis Of our history.
IL was. doubtless. something OF this feeling
OF gratitude which entered into your contribu-
TONS They brought immediate and substan-
tial relief. But beyond that they left nm i'm
preston whose far-rcnching effects may be
beyond our present ken. Tho diplomacy OF
tho American people is kecner and greater
than that OF tho diplomats. II they had
wanted to speak with weight and influence
their surc instincts have pointed to tho best
course. Russia is great. proud. and self con-
col SlnI gDe
tons She romans silent oftcntimes when
shc ought to speak. But she is not inscnsible
to the voice Of just aud candid friendship
even whom 1t speaks in criticism and in a appeal
have not hesitatcd to say under tho shadow
OF the Winter Palace that there were things In
Russia which, without assuming to interfere
in domestic affairs. the American people would
wish to be different. and do not hesitate to
say it here.
1t is no part of the obligation Of a Minister,
going staying. or returning to Justify or ex-
tcnuate any wrong anywhere. Ny duty is to
my own country and to its enlightened senti.
mont and trust never have been and nevor
may be unmindful Of it. And nm moved by
Joy deeper than I can express. that tho
American people have made it plain by their
memorable and historic action OF the past few
months. that they are animated by n sincere
regard for Russia. and that in whnt they de-
liherntely and uuthoritatively say they speak
with the voice Of n true friend. We shall have
discussions. as we have had them. We may
have representations. as We havo had them
And they will BIO weRhty and effective Just In
proportion as. impeled by honest and frank
friendship. they unite protest where protest
is required with sincere purpose to seek the
truth and to be Just to a ruler who means to
do right according to his light. to Govern
mont which numbers among its Ministers
some most able and high minded statesmen,
and to people who havc many amiable and
attractive qualities.