Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-03

President Cleveland should die the event
would be made the subject of correspon-
dence with the various nations in the world.
His marriage and the birth Of little Esther
were not thus reported, though both of these
happenings took place at the White House,
because such is not the usage Of the United
States.
The Department Of State receives about
twenty-five of these Ceremonial letters"
as they are called. every year. AS is shown
by their quaint forms of speech, they are a
| sort of survival Of antique diplomatic eti-
quette. Diplomacy, like religion, does not
readily change its established forms, and
today it's laws embrace SO many
chaic usages which involve an immense ex-
penditure Of red tape. The letters described
are invariably signed with the actual auto
graph of the monarch or other head of gov
eminent. Those Of royalties always begin
! with en- assertion Of their divine right to
rule.
For example. letter from her British
majesty commences: Victoria, by the grace
of God, of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland. Queen, Defender of the
Faith, Empress of India, etc. ETC.. ETC." 1t
is only Humbert Of Italy who is king by
the grace of God and the will of the nation"
The words We, Us, Our and Your are re-
quired to be written with capital letters.
King Humbert writes: THE Queen and We
nave received Win Satisfaction, ETC.. A re-
cent letter from the King OF Corea Is In the
shape of a large thin book bound In crimson
silk and fastened together at the back with
blue silk cord. a g.
Sorrow in OMcial Phrase.
Before very long a letter announcing the
death Of the car will be received at thu
Department OF State in Washington. 1t
viii be signed BY his successor and will read
| as follows:
I'VE, Nicolas, Emperor and Auocrat Of
all the Russias. of Moscow, kiow, Vladimir.
Novgorod, Czarf Of Casan, Gar of Astra-
khan. Car of Siberia. Car of the Cherson
Grand Duke Of Smolensk, Lithuania, Vo-
lynia, Podolia and Of Finland. Duke of LII
vonia, OF Courland and Semigalle, of Bialo-
stock Perm. Viatka and other provinces.
Lord and Grand Duke of Lower Novgorod.
of Czernigo Polotsk. Rostow, Iaroslaw, Be-
lovsersk Oudor 0bdor and Witepsk, Ruler
of all the country of the North, Lord OF Ar
menia, Hereditary Prince and Sovereign of
the Princes of Circassia and other Princes
| of the Highlands. Lord of Turkestan. ETC..
etc, etc.
Having thus identified himself fully and
satisfactorily. he will so on to say:
ut has seemed good to the All Powerful
to chasten orr Imperial House with a pro-
found grief Our beloved father, His Ma
| jesty Alexander III, Emperor and Autocrat
of all the Russias, died on such and such
date after a long and painful Illness. In In
| forming You of this sad event, We are per-
suaded that You will sincerely sympathize
with Us for the cruel loss We have sus-
tanned. We pray God that He will keep
You and the United States of America In
| His holy keeping.
This letter. of course. will be addressed to
| the President of the United States. 1t will
not be sent directly to MIR. Cleveland. nor.
| in fact. will he ever see 1t. 1t will be for
warded by the foreign Office at st. Peters
burg to Prince Cantacuzene. the Russian
I ~s,.s- IL. a.t tot,
ment, signed by Nicholas himself, will
| be i'm the Russian language, but a copy in
| French will accompany 1t. Both of these
will be delivered by Prince Cantacuzene to
Secretary Gresham
MIR. CIcvelnnd's Coincidence.
This, however, will not be the first official
notification of the death of the czar received
| from Russia by the United States. When
| the sad event occurred our minister at st.
Petersburg Immediately notified the De-
partment of State by telegraph Secretary
Gresham then telegraphed reply, re-
questing our diplomatic representative to
convey to the bereaved imperial family as
surances of Mr.. Clevelands sympathy. Our
minister Will write a note to the for
eign office at ST. Petersburg. saying
that the President of the United States has
| learned with profound regret, etc, ETC., and
desires to express to the imperial family his
sympathy, and so forth.
The formal letters on the SUBJECT are eX-
changed later. They are absolute formulae, The
wording scarcely varying at all. Mr.. Cleve-
lands reply is written at the Department of
State by an expert in chirography, whose PEN
manship resembles copperplate engraving.
1t is indited on a special kind of paper, big
ger than foolscap, of the finest quality and
with gilt edges. The letter is sent over to
the White House by a messenger, to be
signed by the President, after which it is
brought back and copy of ii is made.
The original letter, signed'by the president
| and countersigned by the Secretary of State,
is sealed with the great seal OF the United
States. 1t is Enclosed, together with the
copy, in a second envelope. which is for
warded by the mail to our minister at
the foreign capital The minister Is d.
rected to transmit the copy to the foreign
office at st. Petersburg and to deliver the
original to the new emperor ''in such FASH
| ion as may be most agreeable AS mat
ter of fact, for the sake OF greatest con-
venience, both copies are placed In the
hands of the ministeryfor foreign affairs.
Royal Bnby's Advent.
Births and marriages in reigning families
are not reported by telegraph. Letters or
announcement ON such subjects are sent to
the various powers
Perhaps it may be permitted to look so
far ahead as the birth Of an heir to the
young Car Nicolas. Notice of the event
will be addressed to the President Of the
United States In the same fashion as al
ready described saying:
I'VE, Nicolas ETC., with page OF titles,
have the pleasure of announcing that her
imperial majesty, the Empress OF all the
Russias, was happily delivered Of son
on October last at1st Petersburg. Feel
ing assured, etc."
The President will. reply
II have received your letter announcing
the birth of a son to your imperial house.
cordially participate in the pleasure which
this happy event has afforded to your
majesty and your majesty's imperial fam
lily. May God have you in His wise keep
ing. Your good friend. ETC."
Ceremonial letters invariably begin with
the words, Great and Good Friend" wind
ing up with the words. Your GOOD
Friend" Such missives are sent out usual
ly by newly chosen presidents OF repub-
lies, announcing their election. This Is the
practice of the republics Of South and Cen
trail America and Of France. 1t Is not fol-
lowed by the United States. Only the other
day a communication of this sort was re-
ceived from Casimir-Perier. Mr.. Cleveland
replied:
"I have read your letter announcing your
election to the high Office Of president of
the republic Of France. l cordially reciprO-
cate the sentiments which you expressed
| for the continuance of those friendly rela-
| tions which have hitherto existed between
| the United States and France, and am