Year: 1875

The Russian Emperor and His Um-
dutfful Son.


st. Petersburg Letter to the Cincinnati Ga


zette.l


just now the report is that the EN-
peror has had a quarrel with his son, the
Czarevitch, and that the dispute is as
suming serious proportions. There has
long been a difference between them
concerning their political views, and
several times they have had sharp words.
The Emperor is a progressist; it was
through his influence that serfdom was
abolished, army reforms were instituted,
railways were built, and efforts were
pushed forward for improving the condi-
ton of the country, and pro6ting by the
experience Of the rest of the world. The
Czarevtch is reactionist, and belongs
to the party known as Starei Rooski-.
old Russians. He believes in the past
rather than in the present and future;
he favors a return to the conditions of
| fifty years ago, and il he were an Am err
ican he would nave no barn doors be-
cause his great great-grandfather had
none. He hates all foreigners, especially
the Germans, and opposes their presence
in the country, ond when he becomes
Emperor, which event we trust will be
postponed many years, he will make it
lively for all persons not of Russian
blood.


The present quarrel of the Emperor
actual and the Emperor prospective has
come from the coquetting which is now
going on between Russia and Germany.
The governments are as thick as two
thieves, and it is Just now the fashion to
follow the German lead, just as it was
the fashion a few years ago to initiate
everything French. The Franco-Prus-
sian war led to this, and Russia naturally
desires to be on the side Of the strongest
power


One day last week the Czarevitch freed
his mind to his imperial papa, and they
had somewhat heated interchange of
opinion. Alexander, junior, stated that
he regarded all foreigners as beasts, and
the Germans as pigs, and that the course
of the Russian Government was the
worst that could be pursued. AIexan.
der, senior, rose on his auricular and
told the junior to hold his jaw the latter
did not hold, and the Emperor finally
ordered him from his presence.


Next day the Emperor sent word he
was ready to receive an apology. 1t was
not given that day, and whether it has
yet been given or not am unable to say.
If the Czarevitch does not apologize
there may be serious scandal; the affair
has not yet reached the papers, but is moi
unlikely to do so. 1t certainly will gel
there whenever the Emperor wills it.


The old Russian party pretty strong
and several of the papers are said to be
in their interest, though they are forced
to be very careful in their discussions oil
national. questions Two old Russian
papers were suspended few months
ago; one of them has resumed publica.
ton, but the other is still under the ban.
The Moscow Gazette, the recognized
organ of the Emperor, has recently pub
lished several articles of an extremely
progressive character, and evidently the
Emperor has determined to manufacture
public opinion for his side Of the ques-
tion.


1t is. privately whispered that the
Czarevitch and his pretty wife are not on
the best terms. He treats her la Russo,
and on few occasions has not hesitated
to strike her. You may not be aware
that the whip is common article of do
mestic economy in this country, and that
among the peasantry the bride presents
a whip to the bridegroom tits hung at
the foot Of the bed, and not unfrequently
used. The Czarevitch is sufficiently fond
of the customs Of this country not to
allow this one 90 long and favorably
known to fall into disuse. Where the
ruler that is to be sets the example, the
subjects will be sure to follow.


But after all any little family discip.
line on his part is not out Of keeping
with the traditions Of the Romanoffs.
Jars have not been infrequent among
them, and sometimes they have been very
serious. The Emperor and Empress
have cat and dog life Of it, but, as
most royal and imperial couples are in
the same box, we need not be surprised
at il.