The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-18
The Cross and the Crescent.

US lntelllSence wn en- renders the fuSso-Iurk
ish question still more complex and the result
ofwar or peace matter of as difficult vatici
nation as it was when Prince Menschikof7s ulti
matum was first refused by the Porte. The
news by the America. such as it has been tele-
grapbed to us from Halifax, promises, at last,
speedy solution to the problem which has SO
long occupied, with so little effect. the brains
OF the diplomats, politicians and journalists OF
both hemspheres for America, too, has had
much interest in the question. We now learn
that the terms submitted to the Gar by the
four European powers-England, France, Aus
tria and Prussia-must have been either &C
cepted or declined about week since-that is
by the 9Th or 10th Of August and that, in the
event of the Emperor Nicholas declining to
abide by them. or giving to the demand an
evasive answer the fleets Of England and
France were then to commence active hostile
operations. SO stood the matter when our last
dispatches left England; and probably By this
time, the question of peace or war has been
definitely resolved.
If it should happen that the latter has been
the alternative decided on, then it becomes
OF some importance that the citizens OF the
United States should understand the CUES
ton at issue. and be able to form just
estimate OF the merits of either side We
have all along, since the commencement of
the controversy, .endeavored to keep our
readers az courant in the complicated ques-
ton, presenting them from time to time all the
information and 1aots which we could collect
on the subject, whether they bore IN favor of
the Cossack or the Turk. To-day we continue
the same course, by publishing. in another por-
tion Of our columns, two important and inter-
esting pieces having reference to this Eastern
question. One of these is brief Retrospective
view OF the history and origin Of the Russian
Greek Church, description Of its rites and
ceremonies, and by no means very flattering
account Of its priesthood, written by French
sorant, and translated by us from the Paris
Journal. Ia Patrie. The other paper to which
we refer is an article contributed to our columns
by g. correspondent, of whose name and position
we are ignorant, but whose sympathies aud
interests are conessedly on the side of the EN-
peror Nicholas.
Both these papers will be found important to
a right conception Of the various interests an
volved ia the Eastern question. The Emperor
Nicholas OstensiLly bases his warlike move
nents on the grounds Of protecting his core
Agionaires Of the Greek Church from the in
tolerance Of the Turk; or in other words, he
masks his ambitious and despotic schemes of ex-
tended dominion, to which the humiliation ofthe
Ottoman empire is the first step, under the
specious pretence of regard for the interests OF
the Christian religion. What the Russian-G Greek
specimen ofthat religion is the article extracted
from the Patrie, will probably give our readers
a pretty accurate idea. As to the cry ofreligious
persecution. which has been attempted to be got
up against the Mabometans. there has not been
of late years the faintest shadow Of an excuse
for it. Abdul Medjia is not
Zone OF that sanity, murderous brood,
To carnage and the Koran given,
Who think through unbeievers blood
Lies the securest path I, Heaven"
On the contrary, the young Sultan has dis
tinguished his reign by acts Of benevolence and
kindness towards his Christian subjects, with
which the Emperor Nicholas's nun-fogging bar
barity stands in dismal contrast. And even his
hosptable reception and noble treatment Of the
gallant band Of Hungarians, who had the good
fortune to escape from the claws of the Russian
bear and the Austrian eagle, might well entitle
Islamism to the respect Of Christendom, and
make all freemen cry, Long live the Turk
But enough of this religious view Of the
matter. The other paper to which we have
referred, and which would appear to have
emanated and for aught we know did
emanate. from representative of Russia,
is fraught with direful threats of retaliation
against England, in case Of her further
and armed interference in the quarrel between
Russia and Turkey. Her Indian empire, it
truly argues. is open to cossack incursion.
Persia might very easily be strengthened by
tie Gar, and enabled to expel her British in
vaders. In a word, the whole of her British
possessions in India might be made to pay the
penalty of England's presumptuous interference
with the purposes Of the Emperor Nicholas.
Web, perhaps there may be a good deal in
these menaces. and perhaps, too some portion
of them may be realized; but IT would by no
means afct u. past consolation to see the
sYoiler spoiled ard the prey rent from the
robber, and il the eastern controversy ended in
nothing but bringing about that consummation.
then would all our anxious solicitudes IN the
matter be amply repaid. Jet orr readers how
ever peruse these documents, and see what
previously complicated piece Of business this
question sand with what dangers it Is fraught
to all sides.
The Consular - ~. m of sh. United Stats
what Is h,--Wnnt sisouia it DO
The consular and diplomatic agents Of the
United States are The organs of speech employ
ed to communicate with the authorities of gov
ernments-international advocates they may be
termed, charged with the protection Of the com
mercial and personal interests OF our people
The Importance Of those interests, and the ne.