Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-12-02
REV. DIR. TALMAGE.
THE BROOKLYN DIVINE's sun
DAY SERMON
Subject: The Truth About Russia

of dtgnities."-II Peter H., 10.
Among a most reprehensbIe crew Peter
here paints by one stroke the portrait OF
those who delight to slash at people in au-
thority. Now we all have a right TO criti-
else evil behavior, whether in high places or
low, but the fact that one is high up is nc
proof that he ought to be brought down.
1t Is bad streak of human nature now, as
it was in the time OF the text a bad streak
of human nature that success of any kind
excites the jealous antipathy OF those who
cannot climb the same steep. There never
was David on the throne that there was
not some Absalom who wanted to get it.
There never was Christ but the world had
saw and hammer ready TO fashion a cross
on which to assassinate Him.
Out of this evil spirit grow not only indi.
vidual but national and international def
amation. To no country has more injustice
been done than TO our own in days that are
past. Long before Martin Chuzzlewitt" was
printed the literature Of the world scoffed at
everything American. Victor Hugo az
honest as ne was unequaled in literary
power was so misinformed concerning Amer.
lea that he wrote 'The most singular thing
is the need Of whiting, with which all
Americans are possessed. 1t is such that on
Sunday they give the sailors little bits of
wood, because if they did not they would
whittle the ship. In court, at the most
critical moment, the judge, whiting says:
Prisoner, are you guilty? and the accused
TRANQUILITY responds, whiting, L am not
guilty."
Lord John Russell called US "a bubble
bursting nationality" But our country has
at last recovered from such caricature, and
there is not street in any city of Europe
or Asia where the word America" will not
win Difference. But there is sister nation
on the other SIDE Of the now going
through the process of international defam-
alton. There is no country on earth SO mis-
understood as Russia, and no monarch moro
misrepresented than its emperor. Will it
not be in the cause of justice if | try to set
right the minds Of those who compose this
august assemblage and the minds of those to
whom, on both sides of the ocean, these
words shall come? If the SANDER of one
person is wicked, then the SANDER of one
hundred and twelve million people is one
hundred and twelve million times more
wicked.
In the name of righteousnesS AMI in be-
half of civilization, and for the encourage
ment of all those good people who have
been diSbeartened by the standardization of
Russia, [ now speak. But Russia is 50 vast
a subject that to treat it in one discourse is
like attempting to run Niagara Falls over
one mill wheel. Do not think that the very
naked courtesies extended me by the en-
peror and empress of Russia have compli-
mented me into the advocacy of that en-
pire, for [ shall present you authenticated
facts that will reverse your opinions, if they
have been antagonlstlc, as mine were re-
versed.
l went last summer to Russia with as
many baleful prejudices would make
avalanche from the mountain of fabric alton
which has for years been heaped up against
that empire. You ask how is it possible
that such appalling Misrepresentation Of
Russia could stand? I account for it by the
fact that the Russian language is to most
an impossible wall. Maign the United
States or malign Great Britain or Germany
or France, and by the next cablegram the
falsehood is exposed for we all understand
English, and many Of our people are familiar
with German and French. But the Russian
language, beautiful and easy to those born
to speak 1t, is to most vocal organs an I'M
pronouncable tongue, and If at st. Peters
burg or Moscow any anti-Russian calumny
were denied the most of the world outside OF
Russia would never see or hear the denial.
What are the motives for misrepresenta-
ton? Commercial interests and interna-
tional jealousy. Russia is as large all
the rest of Europe put together. Remember
that a nation is only man or woman on
q big scale. Go into any neighborhood of
America and ask the physician who has a
small practice what he thinks of the phys-
clan who has large practice. Ask a lawyer
who has no briefs what he thinks Of the law
yer who has three rooms filled with clerks
trying in vain to transact the superabundant
business that comes to him. Ask the minis
ter who has very limited audience what
he thinks of the minister who has over
flowing audiences.
Why does not Europe like Russia, Be-
cause she has enough acreage to swallow all
Europe and feel she had Only half a meal.
Russia is as long as North and South America
put together But" says some one, ''d1
you mean to charge the author and the lee
turers who have written spoken against
Russia with falsehood?' By no means. You
can find in any city or nation evils innumer-
able il you wish to discourse about them.
said at ST. Petersburg to the most emil
nent la6Y Of Russia outside of the imperial
family, Are those stories Of cruelty and
outrage that have heard and read about
true?" She replied: ''No doubt some Of
them are true, but do you not in America
ever have officers Of the law cruel aud out
rageous in their treatment OF offenders? Do
you not have instances where the police
have dubbed innocent persons? Have you no
instances where people in brief authority
act arrogantly?' I replied, Yes, we do"
Then she said: ''NhY does the world hold
our government responsible for exceptional
outrages? AS soon as an official is found to
be cruel he Immediately loses his place."
Then bethought myself, Do the people in
America hold the Government of Washing
ton responsible for the Homestead riots or
for railroad instructions, for the torch
of the william that consumes block OF
houses, or for the ruffians who arrest a rail
train, making the passengers hold up their
arms until the pockets are picked? why,
then hold the emperor of Russia, who is as
impressive and genial man as have ever
looked at or talked with, responsible for the
wrongs enacted in nation with q popula-
ton twice as large in numbers as the mill
ions of America? Suppose one monarch in
Europe ruled over England, Scotland, Ire
land, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Aus
tria, Norway and Sweden.
Would it be fair to hold the monarch re-
sponsble for ali that occurred in that
mighty dominion? Now you must remem-