The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-15
Tho Danubian Provincxs

The Paris Presse Of July l4th, published the fol-
lowing appeal to Europe IN favor Of the liberty and
Russia has just invaded the Danubiaa provinces.
These provinces ale our country. We have borne
exile for their liberty, We suffer Tor them we live for
them. At present the feet Of Russian armies crush
them. Become victims, they are no longer able even
to Utter cry of grief Who will raise their voice for
them, if it be not We Let us then be permitted to
address ourselves in their name to the conscience Of
the civilized world. This is OF once our right and
our duty; their oppression is our oppression. The
provinces of the Danube have in Europe position
which it is necessary to define. They are inhabited
by special and homogeneous race. which is neither
Sclavonian, nor Russian, nor Turkish. This race is
Latn it belongs to the families OF Western Europe;
it descends from the Roman colonies which were
established in the valley Of the Danube 1t has been
cessary to remove them. Force, intrigue, and time
may have divided us. given to distinct Names and
created for us different destinies; but whether
still free or oppressed, we have never ceased to
the common title which binds us, and one
day shall again find ourselves in the sentiment Of
our unity. The DaI ubian provinces have constantly
struggled to avoid servituds greater efforts were
never made than by them i'll the times of barbariSm
and greater right has never been obtained to res
pect in an age Of civilization. We have attached
ourselves to Turkey, out freely, by convention in
the limits of that convention, and never further. In
the fifteenth century, surrounded by enemies, we
stood in need of support. We invoked that of Tur-
key. We placed ourselves under her pr0tectorate,
but without alternating neutrality-suspicious.. We stipu-
lated our conditions, and made our reserves; we
bound ourselves to only one thing, namely, the pay
ment OF tribute. On her part, Turkey bound herself
to protect us against our external enemies. We are
not conquered province, either assimated or even
annexed. WeremaineG masters of ourselves, under
limited suzerainship We feel it necessary to state
this in order that our real situation may be fully APP
preciated. Russia invades US; by what rght2 She
has had the pretension Of invading us whenever it
has pleased her to go to war with Turkey; but she
has never had the right to do 50. Our coave ntions
are precise. We owe tribute to Turkey. She
owes to us protection; but we do not
confound ourselves with her. Russia is douby
unjust and violent. She is SO to Turkey
by her exigencies, and to US ty the invasion Of q
country which has nothing to do with the dercn ,es
which have arisen. For long time past, and de-
sgnedy principles, as far as We are concerned have
been perverted. Russia has endeayored to create for
US q situation which Is not ours She has contested
or infringed on our independence as much "a she
could. Turkey and Europe have. BY their want Of
pretending that the individuality Of the Danubian
were the first ramparts Of Constantnople. We are
invaded; protection is due to us. How can there be
any hesitation to grant it? How is it that we have
not already obtained it? Turkey owes it to US it is
the case provided for by our treaties with her. Not
only we attacked but it is for her and in her cause
that we are attacked She might tolerate the occu-
patton of one of her Provinces for after all, she i
not only bound to herself but she is bound towards
and if she does not protect us, she will fail in her
positive Obligation. Turkey cannot abandon US to
Russian occupation. She must not deliberate, she
must not negotiate, under the empire such fact
War is declared from the moment when we are in
invaded, Turkey is no longer free to separate our
cause from her own. We recall to her mind the
treaties and engagements that she has entered into
with us. Let Aer reflect for the crisis is serious
ore. All her former concessions having only tended
to compromise her; new act OF weakness would not
save her. BY abandoning US, she would work her
own ruin. How can she invoke the protection of
Europe if she begins by abandoning those to whom
size owes protection? These are the principles and
the facts; here are the rights and the violations
We submit them to the conscience of the civilized
world. We protest against the invasion of the Danu
ban provinces by Russia; call socmnly ON Tur
key to defend US by protecting us. Our country is
oppressed. The violated right Of nations calls loud
through us, and to those who do not listen to the
cry We demand assistance, but we are ready to
help ourselves and history has proved that we are
not powerless. The Danubian provinces are now as
they were at their origin, the outposts of Western
Europe. They are menaced now by barbarism,
as they were formerly. II invasion triumph over
them, it will triumph over Turkey, and after her,
over Europe.
In the name of our fellow couptrymen,
(Signed) BoLLIAC, Mayor of Bucharest.
STEPHAN GoTEscO, Member OF the
Provisional Government of 1S48.
G. A. R0sErTI, ditto.
JOsAPHAT, Archimandrite.
J. y. VOINEsCo, Minister Secretary
State.
Paris, July II, 1868.