Year: 1867

AmEHACAN fOSSESSAONS.


There has been good deal Of complain
in certain quarters with our Government OF
account Of its purchase Of tho Russian
Possessions. We have defended from tint
to time this treaty, which conveys to III
Alaska, because, in our judgment, tn,
purchase was clearly defensible, and be
cause it was in point Of fact, and on ma n,
grounds, important to us to hold this do
minion. 1t has been said that the Czai
was right glad to be rid of territory thai
was nothing but bill Of expense to hin
and to his people, and that it yielded nc
adequate return for the outlay in its be
half, which amounted to burden-noth
ing more. The Russian people, 1t has beer
said, chuckled in their sleeves at the idea
that, in this instance, they have ,utwitted
the Yankee, with all his accustomed
shrewdness. By this treaty they had rid
themselves Of cold, Improbable coun.
try, which produced nothing valuable ex
cept few furs, and they were compare.
lively Of no account, inasmuch as their
cost was such that only triHing profit
was realized upon them in any single
year. Why should they not accept eight
or ten millions Of dollars-hard money
and thus rid themselves of what was q
burden?


1t is very easy to decry q measure Of
this sort, and to appeal to the prejudices
of this people against it. Prejudice is one
thing; facts and benefits are quite another
thing; and after little, when prejudice
shall have worn away, and practical re-
suits showing the benefits and advantages
Of this purchase to us as q nation, the won
der will then be that anybody should ever
have opposed it.


But the question returns, why did Rus
sia sell and why is the Gar and his home
subjects glad to get this territory off Of
their hands 1t is supposed that these
questions settle the mooted point in thC
controversy, and that if Russia was glad
to free itself Of this incumbrance, it was
no evidence Of wisdom or wise statesman
ship on our part to pay large sum o
money for what was Of little or no value
to them. Now, suppose We admit that il
was to the advantage of Russia to sci
this dominion, and Of course they SO be
lieved or they would not have made tn,
conveyance, what, then, does it follow
that in our possession Alaska may not b.
made valuable to the United States Tn,
above reasoning is absurd. Under the ope
ration oil the laws Of exchange and Of trad
we have daily demonstrations that what il
the hands Of one party is comparativel
OF little worth often turns out to be
other hands most valuable acquisition.


But this is the standpoint frcm whic
some of our journalists and people loo
upon this purchase. Let us see how Il
Russians view it. They do not seem I
think that there has been any overreachin
in this transaction on either side. The
regard 1t as a fair trade, and one tn,
has its reciprocal advantages, from whic
each party will derive its due share. II
Journal Of 81. Petersburg has some Sc
sible views upon this subject, which
quote as follows. The Journal says:


"That in looking at the matter some
tention is to be given to ulterior con
quences. Considering the matter in
respects this paper says it is transact
Of reciprocal advantage, which will prol
bly, result IN profitable reaction upon I
commerce of our (Russian) ports in Ea
ern Siberia, in giving new value to p
sessions which we have not been able
develop according to their worth, al
finally in assuring protection and ami
satisfaction to the commercial and pol
cal interests Of the two contracting part
in the Pacific Ocean"


Here, then, in our Judgment we have
precise statement in respect to the adva
tages which are to flow to both parties
this treaty.


One single remark more, and we c'
clude this already too lengthy artic
While this country was under the domil
tion of the Russian Government emig
tion would not flow there. Under our RI
it will be quite different. The tide Of ell
grafton is tending hitherward in resistl
wave and there is no point or part Of G
vast domain that will not be penetrated
our own people, and by the hardy, bo
and experienced explorer and pioneer
the Old World who shall come among


Personal.


HON H. A RoIIISs Cn,n,,;,.;o,,o.