The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-11-15
THE GREEK REVOLUTION.

The civilized world can never cease to
feel deep concern in all that relates to this
most interesting quarter of the world. That
interest is particularly excited. at the pres
ent time, by the recent revolution, which
appears to have been marked not more by
the Importance of its results, than by the
business of its origin and the moderation of
its conduct. 1t is seldom that such essen
tial changes in monarchical government
have been effected by bloodless revolu>
ton.
King Ohio, of Greece, is about 81 years
of age, and has been upon the throne which
the policy of foreign nations assigned to
him, about ten years. Few sovereigns have
had the opportunity to do so much for the
good of their people and for their own glo-
~ and few have, in modern times, more
shamefully neglected and abused such OPP
portunities. When the continued civil
strifes which followed the independence of
Greece made it apparent that native gov
eminent could not be sustained, and recon-
clled the Greeks to the foundation ola for.
eign dynasty as the price of internal peace,
the power which had assumed the Office Of
protecting the Greek independence, Eng
land, Russia, and France. fixed upon Ohio,
son of the King of Bavaria, to fill the throne
of Greece. The selection was made pal.
atable by the offer of loan of e., 100000;
and some promises and some threats were
employed TO induce the national assembly
to accept him. France would have prefer
red the Due de Nemours, son of Louis Phil
ippe, for the sovereign of Greece but Eng
land and Russia would not, of course, COLI
sent to this. In agreeing to the selection
of Prince Ohio, the national assembly pro.
posed an address congratulating him upon
his elevation and expressing their satisfac-
ton at 1t, but also informing him of the
laws and usages of Greece, and that his
new dignity required him to observe and
administe: justice according to them. This
was 10 have been followed by asother, res
questing the protecting powers to preserve
order until the arrival of the King. The
representatives of the protecting powers,
however, were not pleased with this course,
and in consequence it was not adopted,a land
the assembly contented itself with simply
recognizing and confirming the selection.
King Ohio was received as generous peo-
pie should welcome their prince. The most
general expressions Of attachment to his
person and support to his authority were
rendered to him. The public revenue, which
was estimated at 100000 drachms. and
of which it was supposed not ovor 1900, 900
could be collected the first year, owing to
the distracted and impoverished state of the
kingdom, yielded 1000, 1000, IA drachm is
about I6 cents.) The taxes were paid
cheerfulIy, and no sacrifices were thought
too great which would ensure good order
and settled government.
This manly and generous confidence was
returned by King Ohio with distrust of his
Subjects, a neglect of their reasonable ex-
pectations, and singular disregard of the
interests of his kingdom. 1t was natural
ly supposed that portion of the loan of
f2, 400 900, contracted under the guaranty
of the protecting powers, would be expended
in payment of the debts incurred in the
Turkish war,in improving the internal com.
munications of the country, in the construc-
ton of roads, bridges, and necessary public
buildings. Nothing of the kind was done.
The king brought with him horde Of Ba-
varian officers, civil and military, and the
army of Bavarian auxiliaries amounted at
one time to 5000 men. The loan and the
revenues were consumed in the support of
an expensive court, and in gifts and sine
cures to Bavarian favorites; and the only
public building commenced by the king is
a magnificent palace of Penteliean marble,
ridiculously disproportionate to his means
of maintaining the royal dignity. The IN
terest on the loan has not been paid, but
furniture for the new palace, of the most
expensive and luxurious style, has been or
dered from Paris. The Offices of honor and
profit have been layished upon Bavarians,
and although the ministers have Of late