Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-04-14
80 TKrost N Erops.


apprehension Of immediate trouble has been sui-
eted The grounds Of the recent approximations
were stated by US a day or two ago in some re-
marks wO made about the "Holy Shrines."--
The following article from the Londun Times,
which we find in the New York Herald Of the
18Th, received by us Yesterday, explains these
grounds very fulIy:-[St Louis Intel.
In discussing this subject, on which several
Of the principal English journals appear TO la
Dor under extraordinary misconceptions both Of
fact analPinciple, Il must be borne in miRd that
the prime AGGRESSION Of whom Turkey has res-
son to complain Is France; and it may be dem
lonstratsd that, without the extraordinary con-
cessions exActed by NJ. de Lavelette last au-
tumn, the carise which has led to this formida-
Ible Russian embassy would not havs existed
This cause is not the attack on. Montenegro, as
one journal supposes, OF. modification Of The
treaty Of Adrianople, a. another coniectures.--
It Is the necessity which the Emperor Of Russia
processes to feel for the maintenance Of the
rights Of the Eastern Church, which everywhere
involve his authority. We have not forgotten
that in the latter part of last summer, when
Louis Napoleon was making his selection Of
Imperial titles, that of Protector Of the Holy
Shfines" was Credibly assigned TO him. It was
obvious that neither Turkey nor Russia would
ever acknowledge such pretension; but M. de
Lavelette Was instructed and authorized TO use
every meaps known TO diplomacy 10 strengthen
The influence of France in the Holy Land, es-
lpecislly by extending the rights and jurisdiction
Of the Latin converts. .... .,t.rss.r.
A frman Was granted, revoked, and granted
again TO these Franks, and the persecution which
the Dvan had to endure on this subject was one
OF the chief causes that led 10 the fall Of Reds
child aud the dissolution Of the administration OF
ri Ali Pacha. Russia declared that she could net
submit to changes thus introduced into the ex-
listing state Of things, which were so humilia-
lting TO the Greeks and favorable to the Roman
Catholics. A negotiation was proposed at st.
Petersburg, but the instructions of Nj. de Cas-
ltelbajac, the French Minister, were not Of ma
ture 10 facilitate settlement. The French .
government seemed to have made ITSELF
on this question the very tool Of the ultra
Catholic party, doubtless for political objects OF
its own; and, at the point the question has now
reached, she must either surrender the prefer.
entail rights she has sxtorted from the Porte, or
defend them by other means. Such is strictly.
the history of this complicated affair, and il Is.
certain that Russia has taken no active part in
it until she found it polite to defend her SUI
premScy in the Greek Church from the direct
attacks Of the French Ambassador. 5
But what have we to do in such an anair?--
Willany one contend that this country is 10 nav
the penalty Of M. de Lavelette's foilyP Tia,
we are to interpose, for the purpose of strength
ening the influence of France in the East IA
the protectress Of the Latin Chufchesp Or
that we have the defence Of the Roman Catho-
lie clergy so much at heart that we are 10 I'M
hold their claims Of presidency over Greek
n Popes2 Such notions will not support almo-.
nsnts investigation, and, accordingly, the mo.
tives and origin Of this dispute have been
Y dressed up in every way but the true one, t.
engage English sympathies on behalf of French,
interests in the Levant. The French are, no
doubt, in an awkward position there, but il l.
the result of their own policy, and the first
blows struck in the last few months al the in-5
dependence of1he Porte came from Paris, and
were destined to crafty the vanity Of Louia
: Napoleon. tits therefore, inockery to sun,
) pose that this country can be made the catspay,
,IOf the French Government by lending itself 10
l the support of demands which never ought 10
/. have been made, and which might be embloved
at no distant period, to warrant French occu-
lpa!ion Of Egypt. .o.' q. ,.r~ aaa-sty irsdTH
/ ItiSt that this unhappy and scandalsus
Transaction, disclosing as it does, the impotenoe
.dOf Turkey and the divisions Of Christendon
around the very sepulchre Of Christ, may slso
serve as the pretext and the occasion 70 yeci,te
other and more deeply laid schemes of policy.
That was consequence which the French Gov
eminent ought to have foreseen when il thrust
the Sultan into SO embarrassing position. But
| we must, deal with those dangers as they arise,
and though we hold that it is at present our dl,1
ty and oar interest TO stand aloof, we shall nevS