Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-02-12
HIS TO RIO Az .
From the New York Evangelist.
Present Aspects Of Russia.
NO.3
BY REy. JOHN S. c. ARRoTT.

oi hE'' JOHN D. u hbbOll'
The result of that bloody conflict which for many
years bathed the continent and the islands Of Greece
in blood and which finally liberated the Greek from
the dominion Of the Moslem, was Just what Russia
wished it to be, As the Emperor Nicholas looked
down from his palaces in Moscow the ensanguned
fields OF conflict; as he army after army of the
Turks cut up, the Ottoman fleet annihiated the reve
nues of Mahmoud exhausted and finally Greece itself
severed from the Turkish sway he felt and all Europe
felt with him, that Russia had taken long stride to-
ward the possession of the Dardanees Scarcely had
the last echoes Of the English guns died away over the
glory and smoulderng wreck of the Turkish ships bur-
ming and sinking in the bay of Navarino, the states
men OF England began to lament over their political
inGlscreton. And that signal battle which for time
utterly annhated the Turkish naval power, instead of
belnga matter of exultation is even now generally
spoken ofas the "Mistake of Navarno"
And when, by the skilful policy of Russia, Capo
DIsra, the bosom friend Of the Russian monarch and
ms secretary Of state, made President of Greece,
that nation though nominaly independent, became in
reality but remote province of the Russian empire,
more efficient by far in the furheance of her plans of
ambition, than ifnominaly annexed to the territory of
the Autocrat.
The mouth of the Danube, 40 opens into the Black
sea- has been for many years the boundary between
Russia and Turkey This river is the largest the lon
gest and the most important in Europe Its flood
the most fertile region of the European continent
distance of sixteen hundred miles, before its accumu-
lated waters are emptled into the Euxine. The do
mnlon OF steam which has extended to the Indus the
Euphrates and the Ganges, has opened to Europe,
through the navigation of this majestic stream, new
worlds of commercial enterprise And as the eyes of
every European power are suddenly opened to the
newly developed political and commercial resources
presented by the navigation this stream to their sur
. and NOT Httla To thnir bo
held that the Emperor Nicholas had anticipated them
all and is quietly seated at the entrance of the Danube
IN the secure possession OF all its mouths. It seems
that Nicholas had entered into secret treaty with
Turkey, by which Sultan Mahmoud ceded him a strip
of land six miles in breadth on the southern shore he
being already in possession of the northern shore
Here the Emperor has erected his frowning batteries
and now not boat can ascend descend this males
majestic stream without permission from the Emperor
of all the Russios. Even Queen Victoria must make
suppiant courtesy, and Louis Philippe, cap in hand
must say "wth your leave Sir" before they can pass The
bristling castles of the Autocrat
1t is but few years since the armies of the Emperor
were in full march for Const1ntinople. They passed
the Balkan. Fortress afrer fortress battered dow1
by their artillery army after army cut up by the resist
less invaders; city after city taken by sack and siege
The troops of the Emperor were at Adrianople The
city was in their possession. In three days more
the shower of cannon balls would have been rafting
down upon the dome of Saint Sophia, and tearing the
destructive way through the walls of the Seraglio
Constantnople was in CONSERVATION. The Sultan or
dered every Mussulman between the ages of ffteer
and sixty to rush to arms and rally around the banner
of the prophet. The imperious conquerer told the
oultan that if he would pay him for the trouble and ex
pense he had been at in burning down the Turkish
cities and cutting up the Turkish armies and woulc
also grant him certain privileges and cede to him Ger
tain provisions, he would spare the Ottoman capital
There was no time for hesitation The Sultan &C
coded to the demand, and delivered the money. Mich
olas loaded his baggagewagons with the treasure, ant
couteously withdrew with his conquering armies across
d the Danube.
It Not long ago Russia, Notwithstanding all the effort
of England and France to prevent it, succeeded il
Il forming treaty of defensive alliance with Turkey
By secret article in this treaty, which has but recent
y come to light, if Russia engages in war with an
other nation Turkey obligates herself not to allow an
foreign ship of war to enter the Helespont on an
pretext whatever When England and France wer
made acquainted with this secret and alarming agree
ment their CONSERVATION great. Immediately tn
ambassadors of both these powers entered their
j. strances notifying Nicholas that their government
l. would act as if the treaty had never taken place. T
d which notes Nicholas quietly replied, Russia will &C
as If the notes never had been written. And thus tn
affair now rests The Dardaneles are virtually in tn
r. hands of Russia And though the Russian flag doe
- not yet float from their uets they stand in their goc
my strength scowling defiance upon every Russia
foe supported by the armies Of the Sultan, the swor
~ defenders of Nicholas. The next movement will b
70 to throw into them few Russian soldiers, and the
70 cut down the already lettering crescent and unur tn
70 banner of the Gar When that hour of longsougl
70 triumph shall come, an exutng shout shall ascen
10 from all the Muscovite millions, and Nicholas NAV b
10 defiance to the world
10 Such is the onward progress of Russia towards pc
70 tca and commercial ascendancy in the Eastern hen
10 sphere 1t was one of the striking predictions
10 Napoleon, on the rock of St Helena that Gin thir
10 years Europe would be either republican Russian
10 Now what are the elements to be combined in arres
% ing the march of this majestic power? How do Il
90 other nations of Europe stand affected by the conqes
DO of Nicholas?
- Prussia has one Of the most formidable armies
% the continent and the late Emperor Frederic
1873 tany one of the most talented and powerful and Unfit