The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-13
The fisly Shrfnos.

Ahc AShy onIhhoo
itls curious fact that Europe is now axaied by the
very question which. eight hundred years ago. precpsted
lis chyay its vaor and its religious enthusiasm the
plains OF Palestine The possession and protection OF The
Holy Shrnes The object that gave an impulse to the
mighty mass of mailed and mitred men, which al the
dawn OF modern civilization rolled in vast and success
i've volumes from Western Europe 10 Eastern Asia
and there broke against the inyncble ranks of the
nhdel hosts The possession and protection of the HOLY
Shrnes 10 the question which present disurbs the pub
lie mind OF Europe and threatens again TO array its mill
ary force on the sacred soil of Palestine Ii is Ger.
any curious coincidence that the same dispute which
knded the fanatcsm of the Crusaders should be re-
vved in the middle of the nineteenth century, with the
possibility Of resulting in another war But the motive
aim, and aspects of the controversy not what they
in the twelfth century. It is no longer animated
by the spirit of religious fanaticsm 1t no longer con-
templates merely sentimental achievement 1t is moi
now contest between the Infdel and the Christian
The two great branches Of the Catholic church--the
Greek and the Latnare the conendng parties while the
Mohammedan stands by indifferent spectator of the
scandalous strife But the issue. so far as has any
semblance Of religious dispute. is mask and decep-
ton In fact 1t Is rivalry Of antagonist ambitions-a
struggle for political power France the representative
OF the Latin, and Russia, the champion of the Greek
church, are but making political engine of an &c.
cesiastical controversy 1t is the controlling principle
OF Muscovie policy to represent the Gar the cham
pon and protector OF the Greek church, and he neglects
opportunity propitiatng the interest by the co-opera-
lion of which he hopes ultimately to make the conquest
of Constannople.
France from certain motives OF policy and feelings OF
vanity, espouses the of the Latin church and
long since, by very perempory and arbitrary conduct
the part of its Minister, extorted from the Porte
cessons of important character in favor of Catholic
preension to the protection of the Holy Shrnes. The
Gar affected great umbrags this result and despatched
Prince Menschikof to Constantinople to demand
ocaton OF the frman in favor of France, and restoa-
ton OF Greek influence in the Holy Land. Other de,
mands of political and infinitely more important char
acter were coupled with hissuch concession to the
Russian fleet Of fright Of way" through the Darda-
neles. The naughty and warlike tone in which these
demands made by the Russian ambassador fright
ened the Porte into submissions but at the time
cited the alarm Of the western Powers, and produced quite
perceptbe agitation the surface OF European society
The Stock Exchange, the political barometer of modern
times, indicated the approach OF storm. There was
much talk of alliance between England and France %
TO the entertainments and rapdyncreasng power
Of Russia and many warke words uttered by PAN
ic producers The cloud blew over, however and the
latest intelligence from Europe informs of the settle
men, of the dispute and Of the restoration of confidence
and an entente eordia between France and Russia The
result is victory for the Gar for he gained advantages
which place the Turkish Empire at his mercy. Turkey
is now but province of Russia and its precaous and
nominal independence no longer has the support OF bal
ance Of power alliance.
So much for the character and result of the dispute
about the Holy Shnes. In this squabble over the
puchre OF Christ there is very little display of Christian
charity.