The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-07-17
he Russian and Turkish question

July this subject which has OF late absorbed
much of the attention Of European powers. Though the
question has been much commented by The press OF
this country, is undoubtedly question, considering
s importance. 10 unusual extent exclusively Euro
pean. II is on its face a controversy between two
governments 10 neither OF which popular rights-as
understand thenare known Ii is between two rowers
towards both OF which the United States have long main
tanned amIcabe though restricted commercial rea-
lions. The difficulty purrorts 10 have arscn--such at
eas, lis preextou Of question OF special protection
10 particular .cct of Christians in Turkey, and belong
ing 10 hs established church OF Russia and is thus diff
Guilty which happily under system Of religious equal
y could never occur except when the whole principle
and spirit of our institutions were set al naught.
YET, notwithstanding all the considerations. which
make the question foreign US, is to be doubted
that the people Of The Uned States share in the ndgna
ton il no, in the asionshment, with which the proceed
ngs and policy OF Russia in this matter regarded by
the civilized world Thepoble stand taken by the Sultan
OF Turkey, and maintained 80 long, resouiey. and a,
SO much peril favor of The Hungarian refugees whose
blood was sought by the vengeance OF their Austrian
and Russian oppessos. has certainly contributed to this
feeling the United States yet the sentiment OF this
country upon the subject is doubtless mainly determined
by the perception of the fact that Russiaproyerbaly
the strong bold of despoism within her own borders
has also within the last quarter OF century signalized
herself as the central force of despoc propag
and thus become known as the arch enemy OF the
cause of free government in Europe. In the pros
perity and OF that cause the sympathss both
OF the people and OF the government of this county
mus, always be- they have hitherto been, profoundly
interested, and on the side OF thapcsuse their whole
moral force always be thrown, however the salu.
tary traditions of policy, and indeed the very ne
cesses OF our national position may preclude the pur.
poee of armed intervention in European affairs by us.
within the jus, limits and under the obli
gallons of self proi con 10 this it is that al
though this country is party tina, European system
which the Russian assault upon Turkey dis,urbs nor
10 the various treaties which violates yet the moral
sense OF people has been probably more deeply
offended by this new instances of lswless and despo,c
aggression than is the case with those Of Europe
which, being 10 the Of the great wrong. and
directly interested in i,s consequences,
sorting TO arms for its prevention or punishment.
If the case OF the Greek Christians in Turkey were
understood 10 be OF oppe onii they had soug
the interference OF Russia secure them in the posses
zion of their Iehu privileges against Turkish per-
secuion and nloerancehen the whole question as be-
tween Russia and Turkey, though certainly free from
difficulties matter of international right would YET
present very diferen, aspect Blu, surely the claim
set up in the mansesioes Of Russia tina, she is
ing 10 redress the grievances of the Greek Christians
the pretence Where is the proof OF The existence
of any such grievances TO redess Where is the proof
OF any complaint 10 Russia by those Christians or
oil any appeal made By them to that power TO vndicae
their rights But if this were not So VIVA, one OF
The ancient privileges demanded by Russia for tina,
sect has the Sultan refused TO guaranty in the
surance which he has recently given on that sub.
iect 10 the several great powers OF Europei He
rejects only the exclusive proectoraie claimed BY
Russia over twelve millions OF his own subjects re-
siding within bis dominion-. Such proectorate is
maneslly incompatible with the Independence of hi.
ven,on against national dependence-in,ervenon in
The interest Of national oppression aad despoismis al
ways hateful enough bu, surely i, can never come in
repulsive shape than when i,thns makes religious
zeal mask for lis awess ambition and violence and be-
gins its protective towards those who ak no
protection, by giving them and their dwelling place over
spoil 10 the Cossack and the Psndoor. Sach pol
icy is reproach 10 the civilization OF the age.
Yet, in point OF view, ultimate good may come GU,
Of The uaust war threatened by Rossia against the
Turks Many OF the empen, OF The leaders OF the
liberal oause IN Europe at this moment DESTROYS 10
see commence because they look upon as the only
means BY which the national Independence of Turkey
can be preserved, the encroachng policy OF Ru.sis
checked, and an opportunity be given to establish on
firm basis The security OF Switzerland and the indie
ence Of Hungary, and perhaps OF Italy II these cal
cula,ons be well founded question which we do moi
propose TO dscuss;he present measures OF Russia
may prove, in the course OF Providence. by means OF
their very enornity, mpoua ecmen, in the series
of events on which the future progress OF Europe de-
ponds.
From The London Times.
g The las, intelligence which has reached from ST
Pesrsbnrah hold, fresh grounds for the hope
Emperor OF Rassa Is disposed TO modify the deer
ton IN which he has thus far persevered Il is kaown
that the course he has thought fit pprsue-riurious
s to the tranquility Of the East his reiauons with
Europe ard 10 his own character for moderation good
taith-bas encountered much opposition IRON old
and wi.es counsellor. OF the empire a. from the min
listers OF foreign States and The renonsrsnces Of The ven
cradle Count NesseIrods himself have received neither
said ,ho of the embarrassment OF the position in
which he s'sods weighs heavily npon Emperor Mich
olss snd that thu eon,endng passions OF PRIDE vexsrion