REMARKS ON A JOINT RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF
THE EMPEROR, MAY 8, 1866.
A joint resolution “relative to the attempted assassination
of the Emperor of Russia,” introduced in the House of
Representatives by Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, passed that body,
and in the Senate was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations.
May 8th, it was reported to the Senate slightly amended, so as
to read:--
“_Resolved, &c._, That the Congress of the United States
of America has learned with deep regret of the attempt
made upon the life of the Emperor of Russia by an enemy of
Emancipation. The Congress sends greeting to his Imperial
Majesty and to the Russian nation, and congratulates the
twenty million serfs upon the providential escape from
danger of the sovereign to whose head and heart they owe
the blessings of their freedom.”
Mr. Sumner, on reporting it, said, that, as it was a resolution
which would interest the Senate, and as perhaps it ought to be
acted upon immediately and unanimously, he would ask that it be
proceeded with at once. There being no objection, he explained
it briefly.
MR. PRESIDENT,--This resolution seems scarcely adequate to the
occasion, but the Committee was content with making the few slight
amendments already approved by the Senate, without interfering further
with the idea or language adopted by the other House, where the
resolution originated.
From the public prints we learn that an attempt has been made on the
life of the Emperor of Russia by an assassin,--maddened against him, so
it is said, on account of his divine effort to establish Emancipation.
Of these things I know nothing beyond the report open to all; but I
am not unacquainted with the generous efforts of the Emperor, and the
opposition, if not animosity, aroused by his perseverance in completing
the good work.
In urging our own duties, I have more than once referred to this
shining example.[27] The decree of Emancipation, in February, 1861,
has been supplemented by an elaborate system of regulations, where
Human Liberty is crowned by the safeguards of a true civilization,
including protection to what are styled civil rights, especially
rights in court,--then rights of property, with a homestead for every
emancipated serf,--then rights of public education; and added to these
were political rights, with the right to vote for local officers,
corresponding to our officers for town and county: all of which, though
just and practical, have encountered obstacles easily appreciated by
us, who are in a similar transition period. The very thoroughness
with which the Emperor is carrying out Emancipation has aroused the
adversaries of reform, and I think it not improbable that it was one of
these who aimed the blow so happily arrested. The laggard and dull are
not pursued by assassins.
* * * * *
The Emperor of Russia was born in 1818, and is now forty-eight
years of age. He succeeded to the imperial throne in 1855. At once,
on his accession, he was inspired to accomplish Emancipation in his
extended empire, stretching from the Baltic to the Sea of Kamtchatka.
One of his earliest declarations signalized his character: he would
have this great work begin from above, anxious that it should not
proceed from below. Therefore he insisted that the imperial government
should undertake it, and not leave the blessed change to the chance
of insurrection and blood. He went forward bravely, encountering
opposition; and now that the decree of Emancipation has gone forth,
he still goes forward to assure all those rights without which
Emancipation, I fear, is little more than a name. Our country does
well, when it offers sincere homage to the illustrious liberator who
has attempted so great a task, and at such hazard, making a landmark of
civilization.
Mr. Saulsbury, of Delaware, moved to amend the resolution by
striking out the words “by an enemy of Emancipation,” and
advocated his amendment in a speech. Mr. Sumner replied,
that it was impossible for the Senate to ascertain through
a commission the precise facts in the case,--that it was an
historic case, to be determined by historic evidence,--that the
same testimony or report from which we learned the attempt to
take the life of the Emperor disclosed also the character of
the assassin,--and that doubtless the House of Representatives,
from which the resolution came, acted on this authority. The
amendment was rejected, and the resolution was passed without a
division.
* * * * *
Hon. Gustavus V. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, was
sent to Russia in the ironclad Miantonomoh, charged with
the communication of this resolution to the Emperor. He was
received with much distinction and hospitality. The visit was
subsequently described in a work entitled “Narrative of the
Mission to Russia, in 1866, of the Hon. Gustavus Vasa Fox,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, from the Journal and Notes
of J. F. Loubat, edited by John D. Champlin, Jr., 1873.”
The mission was entertained brilliantly by Prince Galitzin
at Moscow, August 26th (14th), and it is said that “among
the invited guests at the dinner was the emancipated serf,
Gvozdeff, the mayor of the commune.”[28]