The National tribune., 1898-06-16

and work great changes in the affairs OF
mankind.
az am glad, my dear Marquis, that the
new Constitution will be, as you tell me,
however, that they will alter some parts
of it; and particularly that they will diveSt
the President of all actual military rank
and command; for, though Gen. Washing
ton might be safely trusted with such
tempting power as the chief command of
the fleet and army, yet, depend on it, in
some other hands it could not fail to over
set the liberties of America. The Presi-
dent should be only the First Civil Mag: =
trate. Let him command she military
forces of the Republic with the pen only.
But by all means let him be deprived of
the power TO draw his sword and lead them
to cut the threats of a part of his fellow
citizens and make himself tyrant of the
rest"
From this remarkable deliverance, while
in command of the Russian fleet in the
Black Sea, 1t appears that, in the midst
of a war OF strangers, far from home, the
great mind OF Paul Jones could still find
time and power to grasp the most moment
Gus questions of statecraft.
In his journal of 1890 '9f, after some &C
count of his journey to st. Petersburg
Jones qua 1tiy describes the Great En-
press. He says
MY first audience was of the most in
formal nature, amounting only to presen-
tation to Her Majesty by the Count de
Segur with a few words Of introduction by
Prince Potemkin. She looked at me, said
a gracious word or two, and held out her
hand for me to kiss, which of course did
To do this had to touch the tips of her
fingers with mine, and as soon as | had
kissed her hand she extended the touch
of fnger-tips TO hearty graSp-her hand
was really larger than and quite as strong
as mine-and she said quickly, in French,
/, 10 .f d.. -
me;
"Gentlemen, ! command you to lunch
with me at the Hermitage to morrow at
O'Clock. linen, turn ng to me, she said
Admiral, 1 shall then have the pleasure
of introducing TO you a man who from
what have read OF your exploits at sea,
you must embrace as your twin brother
on the land. | shall bring you and nv
good SuwaHow together. You and he must
know each other well, because while he is
to command my army you are to com
mand my fleet In the region Of the Black
Sea.
Il Confess" says Jones, chat | wa s
disappointed in Catharine. / had been
led TO believe from my English and French
reading that she was gross sensual
woman, almost destitute of the graces OF
her sex, and now, at the age of IS years,
coarse and homely; very astute and won
derfully able In mind, ii is true, but almost
repuisive in person and manner Imagine
my amazement when 1 saw before me a
large, handsome, stately woman; faultless
in manner, gracious in department dress
ed with taste that might have shamed
the Faubourg st. Germain; looking every
day OF 20 years younger than she really
was; IN short, perfect woman of affairs
and as much the lady as she was the
Empress. She charmed me at once no
less by her womaniy warmth and tact
than by her Imperial condescension.
could readily understand how men OF
strong minds and great abilities could
cheerfully devote themselves 10 her serv-
ice.
The next day we presented ourselves
at the palace promptly on the appointed
hour. Segur and coming from one direc-
| ton, met Potemkin and Suwarrow at the
entrance, coming from the other, and all
entered the anteroom together. The
Empress having said the previous day
that she would introduce me to Suwarrow.
| Potemkin, of course, did not venture ia
anticipate her; so, while waiting i'm the
| ante-room, Suwarrow and l simply bowed
respectfully, and surveyed each other
without speaking.
up TO this time he had not gained very
great reputation outside of Russia His
rank was that of full General, but his
services previously had been overshadow-
ed by the pretensions of his superiors in
grade. He was Is years older than |; be-
ing So years of age TO my 43. About five
! feet seven inches tall, with spare form
and medium-sized head, the cast of his
features instantly suggested the game
cock; low, broad forehead, small but ex-
ceedingly bright and restless eyes, thin
sharp hooked nose. small mouth, pointed
chin, with the least little dimple in it,
and this head set on a neck raked back