The Sun.
London, England, 1823-07-01 00:00:00

THE GREEKS.

MEAr 111Nee6tiftwg AtoßoEkßpplaEcEaNiniNAAblertrodreeTulloEnGFßrEindagyS.,
in Dempster's Hotel, for the above purpose, when
ALEXANDER BANNERMAN, Esq. was unanimously called
to the Chair, and opened the business of the Meeting. Ile had
already received several contributions, and among others, he
wits happy to acknowledge that of one of the Members of Ma-
rischal College—and it was with pleasure that he noticed the
presence, on this occasion, of the Principal of that University.
He then read the Resolutions and Address of the London
Committee, which were loudly applauded.
Mr; Lc BANNERMAN, advocate, proposed the Resolutions,
which set forth, that the Greeks were now engaged in the third
year of a war for the recovery of their libertytat it was the
duty of every Christian coaimunity to promote their success—
and that a Commitee be appointed to communicate with the
London Committee, and 'to promote subscriptions.
Mr. OcMIDON, of Cairneas, then rose and said, that, after
what had passed, he felt it incumbent on him to make a few
observations, in seconding the Resolutions, and he regretted
that the subject had not fallen into abler hands. He said,
" You are perhaps all aware, Gentlemen, that this is not a
cause in which 'a state has embarked to acquire a greater num-
ber of subjects, or a greater extent of territory. It is a struggle
of a whole and brave people, possessed of all the energy and
courage which ennoble man, taking up arms, resolved to perish
rather than submit to the inhuman and barbarous inroads of
the Turks." Mr. Gordon.then entered into an animated and
Flowing description of ancient Greece. We regret that it is
impossible for us to .give even a faint outline of the substance
and brilliancy of Mr. Gordon's speech, which, throughout, was
received with loud plaudits. Never had any nation, he said, or set
of people, been placed in so perilous a situation as the .Greeks
had been. They had been opposed by wealth—fleets of regu-
larly armed ships—arm iea and stores of every kind; while they,
on the other hand, had only a few small merchant vessels, and
the bravery of their own countrymen to protect them. Under
all those circumstances, lie need hardly say, that at the outset
of the contest, no man could have contemplated thevictorious
career the Greeks haVe run, or can conjecture what they arc
yet able to do. He himself was satisfied that the results would
be different from what was expected (he would not say wished
for) by some, but he thought that, from what he had seen and
known of Greece, it would soon -be almost. completely, freed
from the Turks. ' Mr. Gordon then said, that the Greeks had
implored assistance from this and other free countries, but, in
high places it had been treated with indifference and aversion ;
but I am happy, said lie, that, in my native country, I see a
different disposition. If, by the assistance of this country, the
Greeks shall succeed in their race for their liberty, indepen-
dence, and religion, we shall all have cause to rejoice, and, if
they fail, we shall have the satisfaction of thinking that they
did not fall ingloriously. Whatever may be the issue of the
contest, the friends of the Greeks can honestly take merit to
"themselves that, at all events, they have done all in their power.
Mr. Gordon said, he would have here concluded, if he had not
heard it said in certain quarters, that the Greeks were as bad as
the Turks, and that they had been guilty of many acts of per,
filly and cruelty. Now, lie would venture to say, that every man
who knew him, would he the last to suppaille that he was ca.
liable of vindicating any improper conduct on the part of the
Greeks, or any other nation. But he denied the truth of the
assertions to such an extent as had been made upon that sub-
ject. It must be well known (said he) that, in a war of that
description, when a whole country is attempted to be put to
the sword, that the war cannot be carried on according to those
nice, feelings 'of honour which have always distinguished the
troops and inhabitants of this country. Every thing went
to extenuate or alleviate the conduct of the Greets in such
a cause. They were no common or ordinary sufferers. They
had personal wrongs to avenge---they had been threatened
with extermination, and whenever an opportunity offered, the
willingness to execute the threat had been manifested by the
sacrifice of victims. The Greeks were, ao doubt, justly enrag.
ed at.the,conduct of the Turks, in putting to death, impaling,
and baffling their friends and relatives ; and he would not ex-
press an opinion whether the law of retaliation had been car-
ried too far.—Mr. -Gordon sat down amidst immense applause.
The Chairman then again put the Resolutions to the vote of
the Meeting, which were carried unanimously.
After which a Committee was named, consistingof Sir Alex-
ander Bannerman, Bart., Mr. Garioch, 111 r. Gordon of Cair-
nees, Mr. Forbes of Balgownie, Mr. R. Abercrombie, Mr. P.
Bannerman, Major Leith Hay, Dr. Kerr.—Mr. Alexander
Bannerman, Chairman.