Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
THE EAGLE AND BEAR
Lasting Friendship Between Russia
and the United States.
GREAT POLITICAL AFFINITY
Some Principles Leading to the
Development of Freedom,
OLD EUROPE'S JEALOUSY

Though watery deserts hold apart
The worlds of and west.
Stir beats the self same human heart
In each proud nation breast.
When the darkness hid the starry skies
In wars long winter night,
One ray still eheered straining eyes,
The far-DT northern light.
A nations love in tears and smiles
We hear across the sea;
o. Neva Of the banded isles.
We moor heart in thee.
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.
There are some social phenomena which
grow so unperceivably that even the
brightest and keenest intellects are very
often surprised at their appearance upon
the surface of social and international life.
In their number one of the most impor-
tant places belongs undoubtedly to the en-
tente cordale between the United States
and Russia, which is old as the Union
itself. During the American struggle for
independence. 125 years ago, the Empress
Catherine II made the offer to act as medi-
ator for peace between England and her
revolting thirteen colonies. but this noble
and disinterested offer was refused by Eng
land declaring that 1.-The dependence of her
rebel subjects of America must be pre-
established
ed from the Turkish government the re-
lease of the American frigate Philadelphia
and her crew, which by accident fell in the
hands of Tripolitans.
In 1913 the same emperor offered to act
as mediator to procure peace between the
United States and England and this offer
aided materially in producing the desired
effect.
Friendship for the Union.
In the fall of 1868 the Russian fleet was
sent to the United States with the orders
to the commanding admiral, Lessovsky, in
structing him, in the event of recognition
of the confederacy by France and England,
to place his fleet at the disposition of the
American government This meant that
the recognition to be the signal for the
declaration by Russia of war against those
powers. and there cannot be the slightest
doubt that the knowledge by the French
and English cabinets of these orders held
them in check.
While the Russian fleet was at anchor
near Washington city Mrs. Lincoln, wife of
the President of the United States, and
first lady of the land. visited the Russian
squadron, and on board of its flagship
Alexander Nevsky proposed the ears
health. Commenting upon this most sig
nitcant proceeding, leading American
newspapers declared that her action was
contrary to all the rules of European ETH
Quette. but it was in strict accordance with
the spirit of our people. Mrs Lincoln pro-
posed the health of the car with a con-
seriousness of what she doing, and
also she knew that her wish would meet
with a nearly response throughout the
country" After the arrival of the Rus
sian fleet in the port of New York. on
the 26th Of September, citizens of the met
ropolitan city We'd with each other and
with those of other cities how best to
evince the feeling that warmed their hearts
toward the only nation in the world that
had shown itself unqualifiedly friendly to
he min in, ha aorfr1l rrySi thrnI 1pb
which it was then passing. The Russian
naval officers were therefore overrun with
invitations to partake of the Inequalities
of the merchant princes of the metropoli-
tan city and found it no easy task to ac-
cept 1.-THE of them.
Lavish Hospitality.
First came Mr. James B. Eads a citizen
of St. Louis, largely engaged in the con-
struCtion of ironclad5 for the American
government of the time He gave to Ad-
miral Lessovsky and his officers a grand
entertainment at the Metropolitan Hotel.
Then came a few days afterward the pre-
sentation on board of the Russian flagship
Alexander Nevsky of complimentary reso-
buttons passed by the common council of
the city, followed by a magnificent recep-
ton of the Russian officers as they We're
escorted through 9TH avenue and Broad
way to the city hall, where addresses were
made on behalf of the municipality. Depu-
tatfnns from Boston and from Baltimore
presented complimentary resolutions and
extended invitations to visit those cities.
Then came the complimentary dinner given
by the citizens of New York to the admiral
of the Russian fleet and the Russian am
bassador at the Aston House. Then came
the most splendid municipal banquet given
In honor of Admiral Lessovsky and the
Russian naval officers at the Astor House.
deputation from the state of Rhode ISL
and, including among others John Bartlett,
then Secretary of State, visited the Russian
flagship Alexander Nevsky and extended
to the commanding admiral and his officers
Governor Smiths formal invitation to visit
Newport and receive the courtesies of the
citizens of that locality. Finally, in honor
of the officers of the Russian squadron,
the most splendid ball was given in the
Academy of Music. After all delegation
from the state of Connecticut, consisting
OF Lieut. Gov. Averill and municipal au-
thorities of the city of New London, visit
ed Admiral Lessovsky and rendered to him
the use of the harbOr of the city as winter
quarters for his fleet.
Widespread Effect.
Very remarkable political speeches were
delivered and political demonstrations took
place in all these receptions and enter
tainmeuts Every one of the speakers had
something to say in condemnation of the
bogus neutrality OF England and the anti
American schemes OF France while none
of them failed to use the warmest and sin
CerSSt expressions OF thankful appreciation
of Russia for her just and friendly atti-
tude toward the United States
All these friendly interchanges between
the United States and Russia naturally ex-
cited the attention of the whole of the world
and caused the greatest alarm in the 20
Htical and literary circles of western Eu-
rope. English and French periodicals. as
well as some of the American ones openly
discussed the question Of prospective and
inevitable alliance-defensive and offensive
between the United States and Russia
the former pointing out what seemed then
to be the imminent and most serious dam
ger, which was going to arise from such an
International combination for the whole of
the civilized world. They did not snare
either harsh words epithets in blaminp
both prospective allies. and particularly the
United States.
American CONGRATULATIONS.
On February 10 1866 George Bancroft. n
prominent statesman and historian. at the
request of both houses of Congress deliv-
cred in the House of Representatives at
Washington, before leading men of the
American nation and diplomatic corps the
memorial address on the life and charac ter
OF the late President of the United States
Abraham Lincoln. In this address Mr.
bancroft, commenting in the most forcible
language ON the attitude of certain great
powers of western Europe toward the Irpit
It'll.