The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-02-15
Tnrkax and Greece.

A recent controversy Will HoigHuuriUg phpof,
has induced us to examine more thoroughly into a
subject to which cursory allusion was made during
the course of the discussion, but which cannot fail
to excite deep interest in the breast of the reader
of general history. We refer 10 the present con-
dition of Turkey and Greece. From the extremely
isolated position Of these countries, in a political
and commercial point of view, there are compare
lively few who are willing to make any great out.
lay Of labor in informing themselves as to the actual
state Of things in lands connected with so many
stirring recollections. Still, we fat,er ourselves
that few refreaections upon the subject will not
prove unsatisfactory to our readers, and without
further apology we shall enter upon the theme of
our discourse"
What striking feature of the age, that the dis
ciples of him, whom a spiders web enabled to
change the history Of the world, whose great pre-.
cept was " death to the nfdel," should SO forget
the lessons of intolerance enjoined by his creed as
to seek their moral and Intellectual advancement
from those whom the Koran teaches them to de.
spise. However strongly tempted we feel to reve
in speculations, to the causes of this wonderful
change, the limited space of newspapers column
must keep us within bounds. The Christian phi.
osopher offer up the prayer of gratitude, that
religion, founded in deeds of blood and violence
ia now waning fast that its black banner no longer
" woos the social winds;' that its followers, with
Koran in one hand, and sword in the other, do not
strike terror into the nations of the earth, with
the fearful war-cry of "tribute, death or the
Koran'
But surely the phianthropst must rejoice not
the less that the dawning light of civilization has
at last tinged the horizon of country favored by
nature, and once smiling with plenty and indus.
try, but converted by q ruthless political system
into savage wastes and inhospitabe deserts, and
still suffering under the terrible infections of depop
ulation and sterity We cheerfully offer our
humble tribute of admiration to the character of
Abdou Meib for continuing the noble work of re-
formation commenced by his predecessor, Nah
mould. But if fetwa' has been issued, forbid
ding the calling Of Christians " Christian dogs;'
if the Grand Seignor now exiles his minister, in
stead of sending him the fatal bow string if the
European system of discipline has been introduced
into the Turkish army and navy; if the streams of
justice flow from purer source; if the tenure of
life and property more secure, however much
we may feel disposed to applaud these advances in
the path Of improvement, the mournfu conviction
steals upon us that the of the evil still exists
Abdoul- Mejih is the despotic master; and SO dark
ened are the minds Of his slaves so completely op.
posed they to all innovation, that even his des.
potism would not enable him to carry out his plans
of amelioraton, unaided by the potent strength of
foreign influence. The present Sultan has effected
many salutary reforms, but may not the good he
has done &c be inferred with his bones 90
The will of the Sultan constitutes the regulator
Of the political machinery: whose sagacty can
foreshadow the character of Abdoul .Mejb's sue
cessor! Is it necessary to remind the reader OF
history of the mourntul fact, that empires, far
Pefof 70 noaefh turkey IN every element Of great
e's' nave ose" temporarily uPneiu On 'heir reenng
foundations oy .he mastery exeftons oil some wise
anu Vir'uous PRINCE ana ye.' as soon as the sup,
porting mana was paralyzed by DEATH the social
STRUCTURE oecah'e mass Oh cfumonng runs Our
Tune doeS not permit US 10 argue the iutlity Of ex-
Pecang any Pefaanency oil reform during the ac-
'uai existence Oh uhresuained aosoiutism' AT
'io'e iionheh. we may oher our readers
son-e fehec'0hs upon Inc SUBJECT Let us now
.a'h 70 scene ehoearea oy the proudest recoliec-
"on' " INC near, Vi 'ie CLASSIC scho'ar.
'ia"se' 'ha' III contemplating greece, there
are ou' Few VINO 40 not regard TINS lano, haiiowed
" 'ne 'eih 'oe"oes Vi eh''o'sh eihuiation'
cohsecra'ed by the memories OF youthful scholar
snip tits strange, we repeat that there are but few
VINO DO not regard this holy spot OF literary Pilgrim
age, save through the dim vista OF by-gone ages.
LOO many believe that the glory OF Greece has de-
Par'eu ioi ever !hat us present Inhabitants have
moi 'hnef'eo single Virtuous quality OF a heroic
ancestry; that TINS country is worthy OF note,
oniy because its surface Is strewed with the frag-
meh's OF ancient ART ana it' sod covers the ashes
OF the departed great. How cheering to him. who
mas NOT 'as,eo ,ne waters OF Lethe and the
Nes "n.,n Oiiu n, " ',i'' iaHo mus, 'he fehecuoh