The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-11-22

o'SSSh6 uPSu No, ofS Ivy oatoSChST os
drop in the ocean when compared with
a food of ligh, which would break in ss.i
yer world Of darkness, If the, means |
within our power we're faithfully exerted. |
We are now. my lord, arrived at the
main object of my leuer--viz. the pro-
lection which. in wise policy, we ought
TO afford at this moment to the Greeks,
and it lies in the narrowest compass. {
Although can never subscribe to the
doctrine of legitimate sovereignty against
fhe, universal svin Of any people, over
whom it is claimed to be exercised, yet
there is the greatest difference between
a revolt against civil government wheth-
er originating in compact or by ordinary
conquest, and aresistance to the impious
dominion ofthe Mahomedan conquerers,
1uhen maintained and SUPPORTED, as if is,
by inhunaan ohhresions at variance Nth
all the Embellishments of civiized man.
This indeed, strictly speaking, embra>
ces the only Principle Of foreig'u tnferfer-
enee. There is no more foundation for
making war against people because
they believe in Mahomet than if they
were the most faithful believers in Christ.
II is their casting off all the resfrainss
(which characterize the social svorld. that
can alone glue right to other nations 10
controuL them.
l distinctly admitted in the outset, and
again repeat the admission, that if the
Greeks were subjects ofthe porte under
an ordinary conquest, and were governed
upon principles which the laws of ma
tions subscribe TO or ought to counte>
nance, should not consider our intefe-
renee to be warranted, though as free
people, we might take an interest in
their cause and be justified in wishing
them success. My claim for them, there
fore rests upon facts that canno, be deni-
ed and upon reasons which are undenia-
bic, if the facts be true.
| shall assume, with argument, from
respectto your lordship's understanding
and knowledge, that the Greeks can by
no Possibility (even lift were desirable
event } be brought to the condition of con-
tented subjects, nor indeed to any pacific
| relations whatsoever with their tyran.
nous oppressors. They have already
begun to organize themselves as nation;
they are advancing amidst unexampled
difficulties to maintain their indepen-
dence; their successes encourage per-
severance, and with the fortitude and
patience OF Christians, invoke the
God OF Battles, in their public procla-
nations, to support their cause. Such
resistance can surely no longer be
considered as a mere sedition, which if
lett to itself, might terminate in submis>
sion and Cancellation, and have there
lore assumed as self evident proposition.
that the Greeks can never more be sub.
jects OF the Ottoman Porte. They NAV.
without the aid of other powers, be ex-
terminated or scattered, but cannot again
return to state Of subsection and peace.
The question therefore, of action or
inaction, comes directly home to us /; il
calls loudly and imperiousIy upon your
lordship as the first political member of
the cabinet, for immediate decision
Are you prepared to couDtenance the
continuance of such frightful state of
things, with means in your hands to avert
lit?
But before advance to the manifest
advantages which would follow from the
independence Of the Greeks, if establish.
ed by our assistance, and the case with
which it might be accomplished, there is
one branch of their sufferings that can
not but very deeply affect us suffering
iDseparable from their present condition.
and from which we cannot but feel the
most anxious wishes for their delive-
rance-l sllude to the peculiar enormi-
ties which attend the, system Of slavery a.
midst the exasperations ofthis cruel war.