The record-union., 1893-04-22
TEE CZAR'O METHODS.
FOrcibly and EIoquentIy Exposed by
William J. Armstrong.
The American Orator Tells of the Hor-
rors of Siberia-The Proposed
Treaty Denounced.

States with the Russian Government,
called a good audience to the Congrega-
tional Church last night.
The treaty permits of the return of
Russian fugitives in this country to the
Cars dominions, and the Federated
Trades recently adopted the following
resolutions, which We're read by Presi-
dent w. It. Gormley of the Council, who
was introduced by Rev. Mr.. Koehne:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the United States
has recently, in the most barefaced manner,
sanctioned treaty with the Russian Govern
ment, the character of which, we believe, is
obnoxious to the great mass of our people;
and whereas, Russia is the most absolute des-
potism on the face of the globe, within whose
borders liberty is unknown and the rights OF
personality are not recognized by the Govern
ment; and whereas, the Russian Government
IN It's fierce efforts 10 suppress freedom has
visited such cruelty on the people that large
numbers through desperation have become
terrorl>tsi and whereas, this treaty would
make our Government tool in the hands of
the Gar, in wreaking his cruel despotism
upon his unfortunate subjects who may es-
ResolUed, That the Sacramento Federated
Trades Council do protest against this pro-
posed treaty and consider ii a violation of
American tradition; and be it further
ReS0tCed, That we denounce the action of
the United States Senate in approving this
treaty and that we call upon the Chief Exec
utive of the Nation to exercise all power in
him vested to prevent this treaty becoming
law.
Mr.. Koehne, after few Introductory
remarks, then presented Mr.. Armstrong,
who delivered an address of nearly two
hours duration, holding the close atten-
ton of his audience throughout, and be-
ing frequently interrupted by applause.
Mr.. Armstrong is of marked individu-
atty, in appearance as in speech. The
facial lines are strongly and broadly
l-a1 i Il
and heavy, hair in thick and waving
locks, figure large and muscular; all com
blne to give the impress of sternest cour-
age and conviction. 1t is in felicity of
speech and force of gesture that he en-
rapts his hearers. Never at a loss Tor
word, apt in illustration, quick and terse
IN dlctlon, full OF the life and earneStneSS
which firmly anchor themselves, he
makes US lose our identity as we become
enthralled in his mastery eloquence. He
pleads the cause of the nihilist as Wendell
Phillips spoke for the shackled slave, as
hossuth portrayed the wrongs of bleed
ing hungary. Few men of the country
possess higher gifts of oratory than the
lecturer OF last evening.
OUTRAGE ON LIBERTY.
Before proceeding 10 the lecture, said
Mr.. Armstrong, desire to say few words
concerning the resolutions which have
here been read. When great crime has
been committed against civilization it is
natural to expect its rebuke from the au-
thoritative classes of society-the classes
which assume to represent its learning,
Its culture and its humanity. After six
years of deliberatiOn the United States
Senate has consummated with the Gov
eminent of Russia treaty by which the
American people-a peoplewith free in
stitutions-are pledged to return to an
unmoditied despotism its refugees in this
country, accused of having resisted that
despotism with violence; to a despotism
in which there is not even the plausible
counterfeit of civilized trial, and in which
every human being walks in the shadow
of detective.
In the face of this outrage upon the
spirit of our institutions, so far as this
coast is concerned the pulpit, the press
and the bar have been almost silent. 1t
has remained to the workingmen of Sac
ramenUo-the men who perform the man
ual labor of this community, the men
who by the necessity of constant toll are
kept from books and culture and from
pretentions of any sort, even from the
profession of religion itself, but who by
this same necessity are kept in sympathy
with the great throbbing heart of their
kind-it has been left to these humble
and unpretending men to be the first to
raise here voice against this great
wrong. l feel honored to be called on
this occasion by these men who have so
highly honored themselves in making
this protest in the name of American lib
erty.
Just sixty years ago Daniel Webster,
standing at the side of a banquet table in
New York City-a banquet given in his
honor by the merchants of that city
used these words: "At this hour our coun-
try is a general refuge for the distressed
and prosecuted of other nations. Who
ever is in affiiction from political occur
in for
shelter. Whether he be republican fly
ing from the expressions of thrones, or
whether he be monarch or monarchist,
flying from thrones, which crumble and
fall under and around him, he feels equal
assurance that if he get foothold on our
soil his person is safe and his rights will
be respected"
These were the sentiments of the great
expounder'' of our Constitution, the most
sensitive Interpreter of American institu-
tions. We have fallen on other times and
other interpretations. In the United States
Senate to-day there fingers not the
shadow of Webster.
BY this treaty which has been made
America, as the guardian OF political lib
erty, falls into the rank of a second-rate
Government. When the Russian despot-
ism seeks TO cross the frontiers of Swift
''vanishes into thin air." The little Swiss
Republic says to the Russian giant:
STAND BACKn
When the demands of continental
tyranny reach to English soil they fall
to the ground. Thirty years ago, when
the French Government demanded
from London the misguided Italian
patriot who flung the bombs under
the coach of Louis Napoleon, Lord
Palmerston, backed by the Lords
and Commons of Great Britain.
answered: England cannot recognize
your demands''-thus confirming that
proud tradition of English liberty, that
when slave or political refugee breathes
English air he is free. To-day, when the
Russian despot demands of the American
people that they shall return his assail-
ants to his power, the United States Sem
ate answers; sit is true, your majesty,
that when a few years ago we sent a
deputation OF reputable citizens to your
shores to beg an abatement OF the atroci-
ties practiced upon the Jews of your en-
pire, your majesty kicked that deputa-
ton from your territories. These plead
ers for humanity were told to return to
their own country and mind their own
business; but we remain to-day, your
majesty, what we have always been. your
majesty's most humble and obedient
hunkies."
1 assume to say in this presence that
the people of the United States are mis-
represented by the Senate of the United
States. If we are TO treat with the Rus
sian Car on the basis of the most favored
Governments, let him first make Russia
q civilized Government
THE LECTURE.
The United States, said the speaker
has been steadfastly the friend to the on
pressed. The establishment of our indie
pendence heralded anew creed. Since that
event, no crown, or oligarcny or aris-
tOcracV has been safe Nearly all Cover,