The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-03-25


the following represenlatio of the Ottoman
Empire, which accords wilhhe account OF the
state Of things in that Emire, given in our
translation of the edct of he Sultan. This
edict or hatli scherif, was pblished originally
10 the Journal de onslantiople, from which
our translation was made. The Sultan says
there has been no improvement, nolwithstand-
ing all his efforts; and there an be no doubt of
the truth of his statement. The letter from
France in the New York Oberver under the
head " The French, Englishand Russians in
the East" is satisfactory exclamation of some
OF the leading causes why it ilso:
THE FRENCH, ENGLISH AND RUSSIANS
in THE EAS
FRANCS January, l845.
From our Correspondent
Slate Of the Ottoman Empire Ripary of the European
Cabinets in the .East-Dectine of bench Influence
Intelligence and 4ctuity Of the fights Of England
SkitueS Of Russian Diplomacy Probability Of great
events IN that part Of the globe.
All political men, of any foresight, fix their eyes
intently upon the East; for there all appearance,
will be renewed the great contests Europe sooner
u
France England and Russia, the gents of these
three empires have nOng themselve, in the Mussnl-
man States, constant rivalries, and commercial and
diplomatic collisions; precursors to appeal to the
sword.
The countries where Mahometanisn reipns, pos
sess but precarious life they resemble old
er, undermined at the foundations disuantled n eve
~ part, and the walls of which must crumble at the
first stock of the tempest. Religious enthusiasm
political strength social ties confidence in the future
have all torsaken these unhappy regions. la vain
European diplomacy lays down thi. imposing maxim ::
The integrity II the Ottoman Empire. The necessity
of things Is mure powerful than all dplemaisls No
human invention can save falling nation. So true
is this, that the very men who vauut SO loudly the
integrity OF the Ottoman empire, are preparing to
upon the Fragments the moment the great catas-
irophe occurs.
Formerly, Turkey occupied an important rank in
Europe. Ii was formidable power, while yet Rus
ga buried in the wids Of Muscosey and Tartary.
The Sultan threa ened, on one hand, the city Of Vi
enna and on the other, The Italian shores All princes
were ambitious of his alliance. The W ars in Europe
after the Reformation maintained the illusion of
Turkish power. Even at the close Of the last centu
ry, the authority of the Divan of Constaninople was
generally respected Tie secret of its internal weak
ness Was first revea ed to the world by Bonapate in
his expedition into Egypt. A f W thousand French
soldiers put 10 flight lDnumerable hordes of Turks
Mamelukts and Arabs, and without the aid of Eng
land, Egypt was rrevocably lost to the Sultan. 1t
was then evident that the Mahomeian troops were
not abe 10 cope with those of Europe. The ancient
renown of the Ottoman empire was hopeessly gone.
A few years yet OF apparent power remained to the
Government of Constantlnope because the conquesis
Of Napoleon did not leave the European Cabinets lei
sure to think of the East. England, Russia and
Austria had more pressing affairs 10 attend to they
must first OF all preserve their own independence
md the Mahometans, quiet spectators of this great
struggle, had time to breathe But after the peace of
1913, when all the cabinets of Europe were delivered
rom their great enemy, the weakness of Turkey was
revealed IN all its extent.
Ii became ndub table that the Mussumans were
wholly demoraized, that their institutions and their
opinions were Anticipated, that they had an army
without discipline or bravery, government auperan-
nuated and without authority and that they constitu
ted a nation with no homogeniy, nor moral nor po-
litical cohesion. Further, there were no mauufac-
lures; no commerce; little money in The empire, an
entire want of justice in the rulers and of security
for the people, that to say, all the vital parts of
ciety were struck with death.
The Sultan JMatn'oud whose intentions were good,
but who had not the genius necessary 10 execute
them, thought 10 play in Turkey the part the
Car, Peter the Great among the Russians. He set
about introducing the customs Of Europe into the
N.Y. the administration of civil afaiis the levying Of
taxes in all things in short, that relate to the govern
ment. His attempts did more harm than good. The
hlussulmans were not like the Russians of the egh-
teenth century they had grown old in ignorant and
disdainfu apathy. Mahmoud met every where nsur-
mounable obstacles. The Mahometan priests, doc
tors judges, opposed to the undertakings of the Sui
tan the precepts of The Koran and stirred up all The
religious preJudices of the population against Europe
an customs. The Tu'kish soldiers were forced to
wear the French and English uniform, but there all
stopl. They were even less brave in their dress
than in their old and having lost in a great measure
their blind belief In fatasn they sunk to the last de-
gree of degradation.
Various events fastened this decline Greece,
awaking from her long supor uttered the cry OF ber
~ In The name of her glorious ancestors, while dis
playing the sacred banner Of the Gospel and a hero
ic struggle achieved her independence. Europe de-
stroyed the Turkish navy at the battle of Navarino
Egypt declared herself independent her turn under
the guidance of the skiful .Hehen,it iii When the
Sultan OF Consantnople tiled TO reconquer this part
of the empire, he met with two disastrous defeats
France Jismembered another province of the Mussu-
man empire by her conquest of Algiers and, TO COM
peie the dsRr race, the Turkish governpent con-
strained, after disastrous with Russia to con-
clude p~ace which placed under the most absolute
control Of Its formidable neighbor.
3 n Is the long series Of misfortunes which have
befslIen the Ottoman empire. 1t is but the shadow
of VIA, in past ages. Ii present, The sad spec
Gle Of inevitable dissolution and like birds of prey
gathered around dead carcass the princiy al Europe
an powers contend for sway in the East Each hopes
TO bear away the greater portion of the spos and The
poor government Of Constannope is ruled at the Ca
price of France, England and Russia. Ii knows not
often which 1t should obey, and this stale Of subec-
ION to foreign cabinets has deprived ii Of the hlle
Consideration which IL had preserved.
The New ARCTIC ExpspITIos-So long ago az
September, lS43, IT was stated, at the CONCLUSION of