Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-05-02
From Bell,s weekly Messenger, March Is.

,isb Parliament, Russia, irritated and sung by
the Ottoman Manifesto, has ISSUED Oec'ara-
ton OF War against Turkey upon independent
grounds This declaration appears to be
founded, first, upon the non-tulhment VI the
treaty oil Alderman, secondly, on tue aneBed
discovery OF secret treaty between the lurks
and the Prussians; and lastly, upon the tone OF
insul, and defiance in the late Manifesto issued
by the Turkish Divau. But Notwithstanding
this Declaration of war by the Court OF 81.
Petersburg, and the personal and independent
grounds upon which i, is placed, 1t is stated
that Russia is most Grsirous to obtain the con-
currence Of her Allies 10 those measures which,
in the new state o! circumstances, She deems II
necessary to adopt; and j, is also added, that II
Great Britain and France shall abst her In her
hostllities agains, the Porte, she viii submit, 10
a pledge not 10 seek in the prosecution Of the
quarrel any augmentation Of territory; but II
The other European Powers shall stand aioof, *
withhold CO operation with her, she Will then
be governed in that, IS In every other respect,
by the circumstances which arise. Assuming
il therefore as a fact that hus:ilIies have aclu-
ally commenced between Russia and Turkey,
and that the troops Of the former Power have
been pushed across the Pru,h and the Danube,
let us for a moment consider the position and
characters Of the two Empires now opposed TO
each other For il the war should not speedily
be stopt il will doubtless lead 10 the sc 'eral
conyulsion ofEurope, and may kindle flame.
burning a. first IN remote corner, but spread
ing by the quick cor,agion Of excited passions
through every part OF the civilized globe.
On one side there is Pcwcr,--a worn out
and feeble drspotism indeed, but larger IN eX-
tent Of territory than any in Europe; which has
maintained It's station for near four centuries
in ore Of the most commanding positions IN
the world; whose Integrity has been admitted
by all The !A.s-"--r'rr Hurure OF us
government, to enter upon war al "a short no.
tce, and furnished with all the fiscal, military
and naval establishments Of monarchy ofloug
standing. 1t is true, indeed, that the lDhabi-
tanIs Of the provinces Of this extensive Empire
OH the confines OF Russia, are without any cen
trail authority, without cavalry, artillery, maya
zines hospitals, or military chests,-whose
force consists only Cf a rude undisCiplined in-
Iant-y, armed with an awkward long musket
TO which are added, according TO the cirCum-
stances of the individual, pistols, dagger or a
sword-ignorani Of tie USE Of the bayonei, &C
knowledging no discipline, and more unln-
strucicd in war as an art, than the Greeks Of
the heroic ages; but sIiil naturally war.ike, and
enthusiastically attached TO their cou niry. In
addition to this weakness OF the Porte upon
her frontier provinces, may be reckonrd the de-
Eeneracy Of the present race Of Turkish soldiers
IN the districts best peopled, and nearest TO The
capital; the ignorance and lneXpe; ieroe Of their
commanders, often raised from situations the
least fitted To give military knowledge: the total
want Of subordinate staff officers or of officers Of
any kind qualified for the conduct ola campaign;
their deficiency in any organized system of
supplies in the held;-the corruption Of the
Government in every gradation; and though
last, not least the poverty oil The Pore, which
has long disabled IL from supporting a corps of
Janissarics greater than is necessary for he gar
risons Of the empire; thus leaving an army in
the field to depend principally Tor It's numbers
upon the followers Of the provincial governor.
II we add TO this The feudal and local militia
who, from ancient custom, are exempted from
keeping the field between November and Msy,
and who never fail 10 return home in the WIN
ter, we have a picture Of the military strength
Of Turkey. And hence il has occurred thai,
for many years pas, The Porte has been unable,
except perhaps on the northern frontier, where
the principal garrisons Of the Janissares
maintained, TO keep ogcthrI an army Of 10000
men fer more than six months, or even for
4 shorter time, unless when plumber was imme-
diately in view.
Whilst the Greeks. in the conduct of then
warfare with Turkey, have displayed remark
able 9nickness in adopting the Improvements
OF european arr ana science, OF WniCh we nave
striking example in the use they have already
made OF hrsships, the Turks whose patriotism
chiefly developes itself in bigotry, au6 the per>
secuuon OF all other religions, and whose
Government, however DESTROYS, has always
found it impossible to give the necessary en-
enlargement and protection to Europeans
willing to assist them with the precarious aid
of the Mussulman Powers Of Africa.
SuLh is the condition Of one Of the contend,
ing Powers. But five look at Russia, we be-
hold the strongest military empire which ever
existed upon the face Of the earth; an empire
decidedly invinclble at home, and though not
The most powerful or formidable assaiant
abroad, from the imperfec,ion Of her Commits
sariat and the want of regular revenue, yet still
TO be deemed an overwhelming enemy, when
opposed to the feeble race OF Gilman. To
the northeast, the whole nation is one vast