Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-07-07


The Turkish Government under the direction Of Res.
ehidPashs and With the support Of the foreign Ambassa
dora has proceeded 10 prepare for with ali the means
suece to the martial ardor Of is Nusseman sub
iect who s exclusively constitute the military power of
the empire the Dvan has prudeniy considered that the
allegiance and contentment Of It's Christian population h
matter Of M least equal Consequence In This cmergen.
ey, therefore, have believe that the Turkish
Government contempates the PRONUNCIATION of most i'm.
portant for tho protection and extension OF ali III, re-
ous liberties enjoyed BY every Of Christians within
IL domuions. This Instrument IL Is sad viii be In tho
form Of public addressed TO the Patrsrchs of the
Snurches In the East but including In provisions all the
Christian Churches, Greek Latin, Armenian and Protes
tant As Ar, therefore, matter essentially affecting
tho relations VI the Porte with s own Christian subjects
can be the subject Of engagement Foreign Powers
VIII embrace the Interests OF all the Christian States In
connection with their respective in the
East and will remove every prctense for the separate
nterterencs Of Russia In defense Of the Greek Clergy
such an edict recognizing and confirming once and
without restriction the rights aud mmun tiles en-
oyed now and Of old by the Christian subjects of tho
empire would be charter Of religious federation; and
charter OF absolute religious federation in Turkey
Is the door to civil equality and the pledge of national in
dependence. IL anuihiates blow the pretcnsiou of
Russia TO religious supremacy In the East and Il places
'ne rights o. me Christian population on their natural ba
ss-uamely, the growing power and Intelligence of the
Christian racer themselves sanctioned by the approval
and support Of all the foreign Christian Powers So that
on the one hand would entie the Churches Of the
to seek protection from the Government Of the Porto and
its Minister'S rather than from the interference of any for
eign State and on the other hand Il may gradually pre-
pare the country for the time when the civilization and
the Ath Of Europe and OF Christ shall once more regain
their ascendAncy in the capital of the ancient empire of
the East The possibility Of pacific revolution Of this
nature reveals Of the extraordinary changes this
age has Witnessed For upwards OF century Russia has
looked upon herself the heir to the power and the
territories which evidently slipping gradually from
the hands Of the Satans aud she awaited without mpa
nence the gradual dissolution Of empire that seemed
falling into her lap. But the policy Of the Turkish Gov.
eminent and the rapid progress Of the Christian popua
ton, Savonan, Greek and Armenian, have hown that
nothing less certain than this calculation The time is
indeed past when handful VI Turks could hold in abso
lutte subsection millions Of degraded Christians whose only
hope OF protection and justice lay in the of
the foreign Consuls and Ministers whom they appealed
but there no reason to suppose that such Christian
population NOW exists would look Russia for an ape-
ioration in its condition. In word In place &C that yo-
lent dissolution Of the Ottoman empire which has long
been the bugbear Of statesmen might be transformed
into State capable Of good government of national
independence and Of selfdeience The conduct of the
clergy in the East Of the Christian merchants aud OF the
population as far as their opinions known in this
emergency. certainly shows disposition to side with
Russia against the authority Of the Sultan and at the
very moment when ultimatum from ST. Petersburg de.
mands specific convention from Turkey on this subject
probable that the intention Of the Sultan will be pro-
claimed to grant, Of bis own free will and mere motion q
general edict OF federation than Russia herself has
proposed or required this intention be realized not
only opens prospect oil future improvement and stability
among the Christian populations OF Turkey but il affords
the Emperor OF Russia last opportunity OF Withdrawing
without diseredt from the position he has assumed
What he affect ask than full and entire re-
cogniton Of the rights Of the Christian Churches in the
face OF the worldy The influences Russia in the East
has hitherto rested her support Of the Christians but
will she now present herself the enemy Of the power
to which the Christians their emancipation The
Prctense would be too shallow the injustice too startling
to be defended by tho diplomacy Of any civilized nation
aud Russia appeals to arms after the concession of all
that gave color TO her demand such action could on
ysbe regarded as an unprovoked and unjust6abe out
rage in which every pretense Of legal cause has been
shot had been fred fthis question were to be decided
BY the laws OF reason, policy injustice nothing would
wanting to the maintcnanceof peace. But cannot be
forgotten that other powers are wok-the powers Of
ambition; resentment, and pride. Therefore, the more
complete the Of Turkey and Of Europe becomes the
less confidence can feel that the Emperor Nicholas
will yield to argument aud everything would seem to
presage different solution unless he obtained victory
not over Turkey, but over himself