Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-11-22
SPIRIT OF THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT

SfiEII Or THE TURKISH GOVERN AIENT.
fioI' BcliS London Ueekly .NSscnger
We have frequently had occasion to express our
strong wishes 'ha the British Government would at
tehg'a adopt some more active part in favor of the
IFrceS cause, aud would deviate IN some decree
from the strict rule of National Law to render so great
service to the common cause of Christendom. We
are not, indeed, unaware that main and established
principles must not he sacrificed, or even Weakened in
IaVor OF particular casesor in other words, the
general rule must not be violated because it may coca
slonaly bear upon an individual instance.
is unqnestiunahie rule in national law that one
naton shall not inerposc in civil war between
her nation and its Subjects except in the way of
friendly mediation.
BuI to THIS rule, TO all Others there is we imagine
m exception. and this exception occurs where the con
duct OF the parties such affect rights and duties
OF negnboring nations Now, respects the Greeks
and Turks we hesitate say, that the pre-
clse state OF things. Every day brings intelligence
tat an aFoclous system OF determination Is now the
pcl of the Turkish Go, crnnent and that the Greeks
unless victorious, will be cNtcrmnatcd This state of
circumstance, therefore, brings their case within the
express terms Of the exception above stated and con
shucN that extreme condition of things, under which
another and higher duty inerposes aside the or.
dtary rule OF the Law OF nations. The law Of nations
ls-et no nterPose between nation and ITS rebel
Aous subjects, because such interference is contrary
10 Inc great rule of Tie independence of nations to
each other. The exception i5-But where tie opera
tIohs OF any ncghbOrng nation, whether external
terna are such as TO affect the safety, The duty the
honor OF its neigbors there, such neigbnrs may in
ieriarc because under such effects, tho becomes
course. right of sgifdcfencc To perform their own
Fr'Sn"'ErTr 'rursto defend the FIRST laws of God and
Iufe,---o take u2 against system of extern
hoH ana massacre and 10 protect those of the same
TS'ision as themselves from determination upon the
s'ound o. their religion are all-no rights, but para
mount Obligations, and therefore constitute an cXceo
uon 10 all positive rules whatever
80 ar as to the question of right: and these coosie
fa'Iohs are indeed, decisively rooted in our minds
'at we have not the hesitation of moment in wing
tat there cannot exist opinions as To the ,gdL of
assisting the Greeks. 1t is indeed totally another
question, what IS the line of pruIence-what that of
policy.
The main principle here is-that if we assist the
Greeks in tie present contest destroy the Turkish
Empire. We pull down of the barriers against
tHe PIedoininance OF the Russian power and fact
gle Turkey 10 Russia. Either we must cndeayonr TO
establish the c;naaCIpated Greeks as an independcnt
power under British projections, or must at once give
them to Russia. In the first case we give direct of
renee 10 hussia and perhaps provoke general war on
te continent at any rate particular against our
selves In all events sever all the 81 eat aud rich
provinces OF Turkey from the body of her Empire and
put her out OF condition to defend herself. Russia
would instantly march to Consantinople which must
fall almost without dcfeuce. The Asatic provinces
would follow, and Russia thus become cur ncghbor
upon the Indian frontier.
All these considerations are certainly very important
and We think. fully ius, our Statesmen in the dca,
AMI reluctance which have occurred ro' all this bust
ne55 w nave had enough Of war.-and Russia is al.
rcaIy too stong restless and TOO ambitions fo he
unncccssarilt provoked
But, regards the spirit Of the Turkish government
and the necessity OF doing something we think that
recent event must rroiuce some effect a paper be |
fore a. contains ITman of tie Grand Scirnor bv /
Winch all the Turkish Magistrates and Authorities are
commanded to burn all the copies Of the Gospels, and
Hble, winch may be found in their several districts
I'VE have learned" say the Proclamation, that mauv
thousands Of books such The Bible the GosneIs U,c
F'at-T3 and The EpsIcs of the Apostles have been re-
cent rt"ed IN Europe, and that some hundreds of
'ein -.e been dDIcd for distribution iu my TinpIre
h' - t"feioic, ordered daf an such be collected
an" ~ t.Titl bnrnci, and 1 II any ships bring any
caF ~ iutuie. the SAID Ships shall be obliged to take
them DO < again tD EGropc.n
H;s man, however, IS moderate enough in com
PArs02 o. nc spirit with Which is executed
cit y"z 10 sooner made public in this CITY y saws
letter from Nepp0. ethan the Cad called ogctlor tho
tmeis oil the sagera communities and cororanls,l far,
tt-' CIrsHirF) to cuJon all Christians TO deliver mn
any nj ncsa books whrl, they might have adding ta
tey would hang any Christian who should he dierovor
cd 10 have Bible or Testament in his pos.cssionD
~ IS surely unnecessary to add another word uooo
i''s su'J"c' W. trust tlat there are many AMONGST
~ AM even among ho7e ia high stations. o will syso
ya'se in lins condition Of their brother Christians
"nd VIII ,cl that state of things has arisen, under
winch II IS our bonDdca duty TO contribute something
Do support of the common cause.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM GREECE