The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-20
Russia AND AMERICA.
DID the Former Prevent Engia nd
Fighting Is.

To the Editor: Ia today's Issue Mr.. O.
+. Weganer refers 10 the statement Of
Evans Cook that during our civil war tbs
United States had no ally but Russia
which stepped in and would allow no
interference between the North and the
South Mr. Wegener says this is "a
msfh.' ard you say esii.oriaiiy that what
he says about Russia Is true" Is IL?
What are the facts? The United States
had taken two einissarres of the Southern
Confederacy from British ship. With
out waiting for explanation or excuse, En-
gland began preparations for war against
the United States. Troops were sent to
Canada: the great British feet was mohi-
lied for immediate action; the British press
and people called for war: and the British
government Was VIGOROUSLY hostile 10 the
United States AZ this crisis Russia sent
large fleet 10 New York and another
fleet TO San Francisco These fleets were
enthusia ssieally welcomed at both places
and in the North generally as allies In the
approaching war with England. There are
in Seattle men who took part In the Wild
demonstrations of joy which greeted the
Russian feet in san Francisco. Speaking
Of that period, no less an authority than
the supreme court Of the United States
says: "The war of the rebellion was in
progress: and. owing 10 complications with
England the country had become alarm
ed for the safety of our Pacific posses
sons. The loss 81 them WAS feared IN case
those couplIca lions should result IN an open
rupture; but. even II this fear were ground
less Z was quite apparent that We were
unabie to furnish that degree u protection
10 the people occupying them which every
government owes 20 is citizens. TIE
opinion III which this language occurs was
written by one OF Abraham Lsncolu's most
intimate friends, Justice David Davis. t9l
t. S. .9-S1l
upor England: the gigantic war prepare
tons were stopped: and the North and
South were left to fight Il out without
fpen British interference. II had taken
four powers-Engiand. France. Sardinia
and Turkey-to defeat Russia in the Grim
can war. II Is the merest nonsense 10
say that in 1861 Russia was still too
much weakened" BY that war 80 assume
wayi.he position TO any European pow
err" Russia was then. as IL IL now. A
geri,able Colossus. which 80 single coun-
try In the world would attack.
Two great rival leaders Of Pennsylvania
politics Senator Simon Cameron and Gov
Andrew q. curfin. We're successfully Our
ministers to Russia during the civil var
and down 70 is72 Differing on al other
cflestiors they cordially agreed or the ore
proposition that Russia prevented In
gland from making war upon lis al that
tire. and thus greatly helped TO save the
Union. n
The Post-Tnieligsneer has often heard
that al a critical jsnetuFe in our relations
viii England a Russian feet quietly drop
rea anchor in New York harbor, and, by
thus giving is moral support 20 the
North frightened Grea. Britain out % its
olrnoxa 20 begin war CT the United States.
aas
hratea fee. was sent as a result Of the
Trert affair. ana evidently means 1t 10
ne understood that war with England was
thus avoided He IS wholly mistaken. War
With England was avoided BY President
I.!ncoln's prompt disavowal % the seizure
O, Mason and Slideli by Capt. Wilkes.
ara .ha Confederate commissioners we're
Afterwards ser; on 20 England Secretary
Seward says In his memoirs: We have
reason TO he satisfied a1;h cur course IN
re Trent affair The American people
eoulf no. haze been united in VAR which.
being wsesza % maintain Capt. Wilkes ae;
s,f force. would have practically been a
voluntary sar against Great Britain. ~
the gatns tire it woul5 have been ? war
N 7ssa agairs; Great Britain for cause
directly TIE opposite q the cause far
which we wagea wa- asaiast ;se same pow
So n is1a" In a alspatet - Lard I.yos.,
prstisa minister Secretary Seward De-
..tare6. "gf deoide this case 1n fsvor u
Fyy own govsTarneot I East 5isaF0~ i;s
meet cherished prlseipIes. ard rsserse AID
forever abandon SIS essential Policy," II
y ss:Fc1slt q, sec tow Ire presence - any
Russian Sect AIDED TIE United STATES gov
sYmrneEss ,snz distinctly - r@3ujlate ard
,1szvow tsse SIT q ~ evn agent and cea-
sess that u was hostile aHd the segs.n ming
q a voluntary var"
The Po%;~Ea'ell3geroer wos.ld Ike 10 ~
raferresi 10 81 authority saA, wiu give
sreel9e dates SRI naases as % tae arrival
La Nea YORK or San FraErfs>o haraors
- Russian vessels az ST &vosediy fri~aslv
.assx.on. az . consequence q tfs Trent
AFFAIR. /, : sa listed in~S sas @ao}e s.ory
10 = fas.h.