Evening star., 1917-04-01
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

AT this time fifty years ago optimism
prevailed in Washington as to the prog
ress Of reorganization
Sentiment in in the southern states
A. g., and the prospect Of
'S ''"' peace in that region be-
tween the two races. In The Star Of
March 26, 1867. is the following:
"A1l indications now point to what
may be truly called a radical change of
sentiment in the southern states. That
such a change would have taken place
at an earlier day II 1t had not been that
the hopes of southern politicians were
unduly excited by expectations of
something to turn up in their favor
through northern disaffection to the
policy Of Congress. is not to be doubted
Having been convinced, however. that
the national legislature is firm in its
policy Of demanding such guarantees
from them as will insure the protection
Of all citizens In their political and civil
rights previous to their admission into
the Union, and that such policy is sus-
tanned by a vast majority of the people,
Importance of the revolution in the re-
lation of races brought about by the
war and to shape their course accord
ingly. The wholesome example set by
ex-Gov. Brown and other Intelligent,
patriotic public men In their midst is
now finding imitators; and South Caro-
lima, the first and boldest state in ad-
vocating the heresy of secession. will
doubtless be In advance of her sister
states in accepting the situation. 1t is
a hOnafI1l
as Wade Hampton join their former
slaves in public meeting to consult
as to their political future. Georgia is
not far behind. thanks to the intelli-
gent patriotism of Gov. Brown; Ala
bana is about to call convention;
Mississippi is moving in the same di-
rection, and other states will follow
We appeal to those who have denounced
the policy of Congress to answer
whether so much would have been ac-
complished If that body had been less
firm in its determination to reap the
full benefit of the victory won by our
armies in the field
On tho eve of tire adjournment of the
regular session of Congress March 80,
1857, President Johnson
Purchase of submitted a treaty just
a, negotiated with Russia
aAaSAo' for the purchase of Alaska.
The Star of that date thus notes this
important development, the value of
which was so little appreciated at the
time:
'1t is believed that the President
communicated with the Senate, in its
executive session today, treaty with
Russia by which that power surrenders
to the United States the sovereignty
over all of Russian America and the
adjacent islands. 1t is understood that
the price to be paid for this territory
is about $7,O0o,O00. The treaty will
probably be taken up next week by the
Senate should that body be convened by
proclamation of the President. as seems
to be expected" Gfhe call for the ex-
ira session of the, Senate to begin April
is printed in the same issue of The
Starr The Importance of this acqui-
sition of territory will be appreciated
by reference to it's extent and position.
1t covers $4,000 square miles and has
about 10000 inhabitants. 1t compre-
hends all the American coast of the
Pacific and the adjacent islands north of
the parallel north 54.40. extending some
500 miles, and nearly excluding British
America from the ocean. Its chief value
lies in it's fisheries and its fur trade
The principal settlement is New Arch
angel, town of about 1000 inhabitants
on the Island of Sitka. OF the popuia-
ton of Russian America about $4,000
are Eskimos and the remainder are
Russians, Creoles. kadioSks and
Aleeots.
X
The subject of the treaty was dis
cussed further in The Star of April /,
1857. though it is to be
Importance noted that the word
Alaska" does not occur
OF Alaska. in the text. The Star
said:
1.-THE important acquisition of terri
tory made by the session to the United
States of Russian America is the lead
ing topic now and will no doubt be
the subject of early action by the Sen
ate in the executive session. The mat
ter seems to have been first suggested
in a memorial of the legislative assem-
bly, of Washington territory addressed
to the President in January, 1855, in
which they state that abundance of
Goldfish, halibut and salmon of excel
lent quality have been found along the
shores of the Russian possessions, and
request our government to obtain such
rights and privileges of the govern
ment of Russia as Will enable our fish
ing vessels to visit the ports and har-
bors of its possessions, to the end that
fresh water and provisions may be
easily obtained; that our sick and dis
abled fishermen may obtain sanitary
assistance, together with the privilege
of curing fish and repairing vessels in
need of repairs, and also to employ
such ships that may be spared from
the Pacific naval fleet in exploring and
surveying the shipping banks known
to naVigatorS to exist along the Pa
cffic coast from the Cortes banks to
Bering straits.
In another part of the same issue
is the following para graph:
THE Senate committee on foreign re-
lations was in session two hours this
morning upon the treaty with Russia
for the purchase of Russian America,
but came to no conclusion. Some of
the senators will oppose the treaty, it
is understood, on the ground that the
barren territory is not worth the
money. and, from being detached from
the United States, Will be a useless
incumbrance. The acquisition will be
warmly urged by others on the ground
of the Importance of the fisheries and
the fur trade thus obtained and of its
affording a tract for the proposed tele-
graph line"
The eight-hour movement, which has
~. l..