Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-05-04
The Russian Policy.

1t is asserted by respectable European writer's
that it is Russia's purpose, IN her present assault
upon Turkey, to extort from that power para
mount authority over the Greek Church in the
East and the control of the "Holy Places" of Je-
rusalem. Thus, after nearly thousand years,
the possession of the sacred spot that was conse-
Grated by the footsteps of the founder of Christi
anity, may again become the source OF strife tor
armed men, though, at present, 1t IS more likely
that the warfare will be among the followers OF
the Cross than between believers and the Iprk.
The sites of the great miracles OF mans redemp-
ton, were, at very early day, marked by sacred
edifces erected by Constantine the Great, and his
mother Saint Helena. These churches were some
times seized, sometimes destroyed, and again re-
built by various princes until about the middle of
the fourteenth century, when King Robert OF 81
cily purchased the sanctuares from the Sultan of
Egypt and entrusted their care to Franciscan
monks. In the sixteenth century,, treaty be-
tween Selm, theconqueror ofthe Holy Land and
Francis lst, consigned these shrlnes and their
guardian brotherhood to the sovereign of France,
and thus the Latin church became, The recognized
protector of the birthplace of christianity
But, in the course of time, collisions took place
between the members of the Greek church and the
Latin; and, in the end, the Latins were driven
by the Dvan from the "Church of the Virgins
Tomb" while that of Bethlehem, the Holy Sep
uchre and other sanctuaries, were allotted to the
Greek fathers. From this period, the influence
of the Latin church in the East has evidently de-
clined, and disputes have constantly occurred be-
tween the,rivals which redounded but little to the
credit of either.
This condition, aided somewhat, perhaps, by
political motives, induced the French Government,
of late, through its ambassador at the Forte, to
reasser the force Of ancient treaties in order to
obtain once more the ascendancy ct the Latin
church and the comparative exclusion Of the Greek.
Accordingly the French ambassadorinsisted upon
important concessions in favor of France; yet, no
sooner had the Sultan yielded, than the Emperor
of Russia, who is commonly considered in the
East the head Of the Greek confession,- felt his
pride and his politics sboth infinged by the favor
to Napoleon. the p@vsnu," and despatched Prince
Mentschikoff TO demand a revocation OF the Turk
ish f,maa in favor of France.
Russia has great stake in this question, for,
although by the terms of her treaties with the
Porte, her rights are limited to the protection Of
the chapel of the Embassy at Pera,, the Greek
Church at Galata, and the priests who serve in
these two establishments, yet there happen to be-,
| in Turkey In Europe, about hcetre nlitaohS q
Greeks, whose afinities; ofpourse, are rather with
the head oftheir own Church than with the SOW
ereigh of Mahomedans. These twelve millions
of Christians would compose fine and excitable
body for agitation by France or Russia, whenever
it might suit the politics of either to arouse their
passions against the Turk.
Such is rapid sketch Of the origin and progress
of quarrel which, for the sake of humanity, we
hope will terminate without bloodshed. Russia
seems bent on the absorption Or partition Of, Tur-
key. Sheis pent up in the heart Of Europe, so
long as she has no outlet ct the Dardanelles for
her imprisoned fleets. She Graves to come down
freely into the Mediterranean and Atlantic. and
to play as important part as other nations in the
South of Europe, without sending her fleets ex-
clusively from the extreme North. She wants
two outlets for her navy instead of one. The re-
suit of Prince Mentschikoff's mission will either
decide this matter or give decided tone to it for
many years TO come.-Baltinaore .4merican.