New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-04
TURKEY.
The Decay Of the Empire.

ter from the Journal dcS OeSterreichlschen
LIoydS, published at Vienna
CoNsrANrrNopLE Tuesday, Nov. - 1850.
However much our sympathy may be enlisted
for the young Reiormer of the Ottoman Empire,
we can yet see no germ of fortunate future IN
the interior position of his state, which is already
doubtlessly sealed for dissolution. The entire re-
surrection of Turkey must seem mere European
chimera. In place of the old, strongly conserva
tive idea which, since the dissolution OF the JAM
zaries has lost one prop after another, we cannot
see any sufficient substitute in the new element
which has fitness or strength enough to develop
itself organicaly and to seize with force and re-
atty upon the popular mind. We would nov
speak here of the old state of things. 1t is a.
ready Judged; and Turkey on the first contact
with mature Europe experienced such shock
that along its whole surface that cleft was rlven
which has since extended itself to determined
limits. on account or which the various races
shaken from the bond Of national unity, do and
will continue to separate themselves more and
more. So has Greece-so have Moldavla and
Wallachia so, later Servia, at present Bulgaria,
and soon, doubtlessly, Bosnia, Albania, and other
States will do.
Although by the introduction of English, French
and German officers, it has been possible to or.
ganize the Ottoman army somewhat more ably,
vet it is quite impossible by an army alone, with
out the aid of many enlightened and influential
organs, to carry on Reform through the whole
land in the present state of popular ignorance
and degradation. And this all the more, mas
much as by the new laws of taxation the Chris
tians themselves, who would seem to be espe-
cally favored by the new regulations, are obliged
to pay three or four times as much as formerly,
which, as we have already seen in Bosnia, has
not impaired to this class much enthusiasm for
the Cabinet. Then with these last we must son-
slider their accustomed independence of their
Turkish masters, who yet have always the power
20 compei recognition VI Vn0w PvsISIvu. D~S
on the other side, are to be remembered the uni
versa imbecility, the want of carriages, OF COM
munication, of magazines, and the lack of other
necessaries which offer formidable obstacles to
the measures Of the Government. The army
itself too, even more than an enemy perhaps, is
to be held in check-not to speak of the endless
political intrigues and our glowing hopes
must needs be dampened.
Even if the Seraskier succeeds in introducing
reforms into the northern provinces, yet, even
then the gap is not closed but the ofprogress
is brought into a new and very stormy phase, in
which may Turk danger to the essential integrity
of the State
Just as uncomfortable is the state of things in
Asia On the Asiatic coasts of the Black Sea, on
the furthest outposts of Turkey at the old Trape-
zunt Of the great COmnenus, stands upon the roof
of the former castle of the Emperors a boy of 10
years, leaning upon mounted cannons, as guardian
of the State, and looking upon the forests whence
the foe will come. His parents have exchanged
their posts for agriculture and have left the SER
vice to the boy. Since the battle Of Erzerum,
have the Turks there been morally vanquished.-
The Greek Christians Of that region, in whose
memory fingers no longer the history and mean
ing Of their former faith led by their avaricious
priests, throw longing glances toward Grusia and
Mingrelia. More than by all Turkish oppression
are these people ensaved and stultiied by their
priests, who are most sensibly affected by the
Turkish reforms.
In Egypt for whose management growing
European competition was very visible few
years since, the new state OF things reveals an
impossible unioR with the Porto in future. II we
look at the Metropolis, ms to the central point, we
have all the Sultanas and Courtiers and Eunuchs
of the seraglio and the whole old state Of things
down upon u.s. But constantly their greedy ay-
nrice pushes itself between tho Golfers Of tho
State md the hardly collected taxes. Still reisns
here that snvish alteration Of Power, which can.
not distinguish between it's various dopositsrios,
and s entirely indifferent about Thorn. The easy
fatigue Of the Divan in the pursuit OF sisglo aims
and their spsy surrender are characteristic. and
now very sSpliosbe by the absence Of the necess'
~ means 50 tho census aud new arrangements
for tho taxes End many other things have been
readily abandoned In such position Of things.
when want II any result psfaiysss zeal. II ian.
not bs MISTER Of wonder that fsithlessness and
intrigue have II al thsr own way