The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register. (Wilmington, Del.) 1824-1825, 1825-02-24

yances, as we'll as he may, holding by some
Of the upper ones, towards his foe; but the
other still getting backward, where the
branch is weaker, keeps with the most per-
feet security, within three feet OF his head.
A burlesque kind OF dialouge then common
ces. in which the hunter invites the bear to
approach, offers to shake hands with him,
promises loaf of bread, &c. but in the mean
time, the latter, who dislikes the narrow
footing, and more over feels the branch bend
under him, remains somewhat embarrassed
as to the disposal Of his own person, and be
gins to think of backing in again towards the
trunk of the tree.-Here he becomes per-
fectly harmless, for, to descend the trunk, as
he must go backwards, is more tedious
operation than ascending was; in the mean
time the hunter, sliding out to the eXtremi-
ty of his branch, drops off. holding by both
hands, into the arms Of his comrades below.
The Joke then ends with shower OF stones,
or of lighted fre-brands at the bear, who
sits discounted in the tree very much at
a loss what course to take. 1t enraged too
far however, he will sometimes roll his body
up, and so cast himself down head long with
what fortune he may, in which case, should
he alight not seriously hurt, his tormentors
find it convenient to dispense as quickly as
possible.
From Bells London Weckiy Messenger.
SPIRIT OF THE TURKISH GOVERN
MENT.
We have frequently had occasion to cx-
press our strong wishes that the British
Government would at length adopt some
more active part in favour of the Greek
Cause, and would even deviate, in some de-
gree, from the strict rule Of National Law,
to render SO great a service to the common
cause of Christendom. We are not, indeed,
unaware, that main and established princi-
ciples must not be sacrificed. or even weak
ened, in favour of particular cases,-or, IN
other words, that the general rule must not
be violated, because it may occasionally bear
hard upon all individual instance.
1t is an unquestionable rule in national
law, that one nation shall not interpose in
civil war between another nation'and its own
subjects, except in the way of friendly me-
diation.
But to this rule as to all others, there is,
we imagine an exception, and this exception
occurs, where the conduct of the parties is
such as to effect the right and duties neigh
bouring nations. Now, as respects the
Greeks and Turks, we hesitate not to say,
that this is the precise state OF things. Eve
~ day brings us intelligence that an afro
cous system OF determination is now the
policy of the Turkish Government, and that
the Greeks unless victorious, will be cXter-
minated. This state of circumstances,
therefore, brings their case within the eX-
press terms Of the exception above stated,
and constitutes that extreme condition of
things, under which another and higher
t,,ta csta do fha lf.lt.N
rule of the law Of nations. The law of ma
tons is,-let no one interpose between ma
ton and its rebellous subjects, because such
an interference is contrary to the great rule
of the independence OF nations as to each
other. The exception is,-But where the
operations Of any neighboring nation, wheth-
er external or internal, are such as to affect
the safety, the duty, or the honour otits neigh
hors, there, such neighbors may interfere,
because, under such effects, the cause
becomes their own. To defend their own
safety and honour is, Of course, right OF self
defence. TO perform their own paramount
duties,--to defend the first laws of God and
nature take up arms against system OF
determination and massacre, and to protect
those of the same religion as themselves from
determination upon the ground of their rcli-
gion, are all,--not rights, but paramount OBJ
legations, and therefore constitute an eXcep-
ton to all positive rules whatever.
So far as to the question ofright; and these
considerations are, indeed, so decisively
rooted in our minds, that we have not the
hesitation Of moment in saying, that there
cannot exist two opinions AS to the right of
assisting the Greeks. Ii is, indeed, totally
another question, what is the line ofprudcnce
what that of policy.
Tie main principle here is--that if we as
sst the Greeks in the present contest, we
destroy the Turkish Empire. We pull
down one of the barriers against the predo-
minance of the Russian power, and, in fact,
give Turkey to Russia Either we must en-
deavour to establish the emancipated Greeks
as an independent power under British pro
lection, or we must at once give them to Rus
sa In the first case, we give direct offence
to Russia, and perhaps, provoke general
war on the Continent; at any rate Il particular
war against ourselves. In all events, we SC.
yer all the great and rich provinces of Tur
key from the body Of her Empire, and pu
her out of condition Of defending herself
Russia would instantly march to Constantine
pie, which must fall almost without defence
The Asiatic provinces would follow, ant
Russia thus become our neighbour upon TIL
Indian frontier.
All these considerations are certainly YER
important, and, we think, fully justify GU
Statesmen in the delay and reluctance which
IS ncc,,r,,aJ ~ po,,,.b II -, ~ w