The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-11
a#5t .t 49,. #.a#..r# ssH #a# IE# FOR the Unions
An american View q the Eastern question


was conceded to Russia by succession OF treaties, and
il therefore not violation OF the sovereignty OF the
Ottoman empire, shall now proceed 10 account for
the policy oil the great powers OF Europe in at
tsspng TO suslain an empite which all Europe oRce
combined to overthrow. The subject is not little
rous, as marking those apparently strange contradictions
and Inconsistencies which time and circumstances pro-
duce rendering all DEDUCTIONS from the experience of the
past and the aspect OF the future equally uncertain and
fallacous.
Very many of my readers will doubtless remember the
enthusiasm called forth in Europe and the United States
in behalf of the oppressed Greeks and the benedicons
invoked the head OF the oppressor Breaches OF neu
tralty committed winked at by the United States
and every government of Christian Europe in aid of the
Greek cause chiyalrous volunteers thronged TO the
classic land llibusterng expeditions fitted out
from all quarters the law of nations considered in
allegiance so far applicable 10 Turkey; and II was
then that England and France perpetrated that mastery
stroke OF policy exhibited at Navarno where, without
any previous declaration of war, they joined with Russia
In attacking and destroying the Turkish fleet then lying
quietly al anchor, and thus secured TO the Car the COM
mand OF the Black sea in all future time
Does i, not strange that in brief period after all
these demonstrations OF Christian sympathy for the OPP
pressed Greeks, and Christian adherence OF their OPP
pressorsdoes it not seem passing strange mat at this
moment we these very Christian sympathes invoked
in behalf OF the oppressor, and the leading powers OF
which has from first last been the scourge OF the
Christian name, and the relentless oppressor of large
portion Of the human race
In order 70 justify this new attitude, we are assured
by the organs OF British policy and British interests that
radical reform has been effected in the system OF the OF
toman empire during the regns of Sultan Mahnoud and
his imbecile This ii is said. has been
compished under the auspices of the four great powers,
whose ministers have, since the Emperor OF Russia
succeeded the Emperor Napoleon the great bugbea of
Europe oficated dry at the cradle OF this
promising infant in the forlon hope OF sustaining de-
crepd worn-out body, reduced to second childhood,
whose ruler however despotc is too weak TO protect his
own subjects himself and whose power only extends
to the oppression OF his slaves.
For the progress and OF these reforms and their
practical effects both Mussulmen and Christians, re-
fer the reader the late travels Of Bishop Southgate,
an American Messrs. McFarane and Layard both
Engshmen and NM Banque and Robert, natives Of
France II would extend this article beyond its proper
limits 10 offer quotations from these writers, who are
among he most recent travellers European and Asatc
Turkey. II may suffice TO say that they all agree in
uniform testimony. They rer-esent the government as
equally despotc, feeble, and corrupt and all coincide in
the opinion that what is called The Iarsisnam.
sort of Turkish bill OF rights which affected TO establish
and secure the equal civil and religious privileges of all
Christians without distinction, is, for all practical pur
poses inefficient, and nugatory Under the special pro-
lection OF ambassadors and consus, few individual
Christians may be screened from Mussuman Digoiry and
intolerance; but all unite in bearing testimony to the
fact that practically, there is equality Of rights either
al the seat of justice the altar there be
without violation OF the preceps of the Koran which
present nsuperable obstacles TO all radical reform.
The scorn Of the Mussulman for the "Chrisan dog"
still subsisls in all its yigor the Jew is still Tteoot;
the Marone and HISTORIAN Christians of Armenia and
Kurdistan, according TO Mr. Layard, have been lately
plundered and massacred by the Turkish soldiers and
throughout the Danubian prncpaes, as well as all the
provinces OF European Turkey, most especially Bulgaria
and Albania the different denominations OF Christians are
still exposed TO- and still suer, all the thousand insults,
impositions and domestic ourages which, from first TO
last have followed n the train Of bc disciples OF Ma
homet Tribunals for the eqaal administration OF justice
have indeed, been established at Brusa, Smyrna, and
Cons,antinople, in which Christian and Mussulman
said TO be equal bat the chances OF justice between the
two may be estimated from the fact slated by Mr. Me-
Farlane that the testimony OF Christian, or any num-
Der of Christians cannot be received in opposition 10 that
of single true believer. without direct violation OF
precept OF Mahome II impossible. in reading the
details OF these travellers 10 reust the conviction that
the Ottoman empire is already virtually dismenbered by
it's innate vices and weakness and that 1t would be bet
ter for the oppressed now whitening under the
baeful Influences OF the crescent that this great fabric
of desposm should be overihrown, and the discordan
materials employed in the construction OF edihces
The same opinion is indicated in letter written by Mr.
Jefferson TO friend, seventy years ago, while min
lister at Paris. II is putrid OF dscordant
teras carrying its bosom the accumulated corruption
of five hundred years, and die in order 10 be born
again.
II may be asked then, why is it that the great Chris
tan powers of Europe have been many years
past Iaborng 10 preserve what they pleased TO call
the integrity OF the Ottoman empire p The answer is
very simple Its not from any special GOODWILL 10 The
Sultan. but from apprehensions Of the Gar. II is
from any regard the rights of nsions, the general
happiness OF mankind. Their philanthropy is not so
comprehensive. They apprehend and probably have
great reason for their appehensons that The growth and
progress OF the empire OF Russia will long, If il has
not already, seriously derange, il not completely
throw that balance OF power in Europe, alias that dis
tribuon OF the oaves and fishes, which took place at
the Congress. Of Vienna after the fell of Napoleon and
which, in fact concentrated all the powers OF Europe in
the Holy Alliance They begin 10 see, and feel too, that
in their efforts pull down colossus they have only
contributed to set MP another still ormidabe-one
who IL High Priest well as Kng-one in whose single
will il concentrated that OF sixty millions OF people
devoted their faith and fiery fanatics the Turks
themselves The prime object OF all this canting about
the integrity OF the Ottoman empire; all these JOINT notes
and protocols; all these inscrutible diplomatic manpu
yres all these demonstrations OF combined fleets in the
Proponus and the Black sea and all that is past well
as all which is TO come tend single obiec-that Of
overawng the Gar from prosecuting his schemes, what
ever they may be, Europe and Asia, As 10 the nieg
rty of the Ottoman empire might pretend 10 look into
fuury wosld venture TO predict that The end OF all This