Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-04-24
The War and its Results.

Tie unpfcJuhlced mlhd, that ur-
key has been the plant tool in the hands
of England, by which war has been de-
clared against Russia, than the simple ar
nouncement of the provisions of the Trip
artlte Treaty, which we publish on our
first page. By this treaty, the Turkish
religion-the whole spirit and practical
force of the Koran-the essence of their
confession of taith-are compromised, and
its most Distinguishing and certainly most
Objectionable feature is nulified. Chris
tian subjects are placed on legal equality
with the Turks, with all the rights of citi
zenship. This transform them at once
from the position of degraded vassals, to
the enjoyment of all the rights and privi-
leges ofthe professed Mahomedans. They
will enjoy full federation, and will be able
to h Did property without oppressive taxa
ton, or onerous condition. Can this con-
eession on the part of Turkey be other
wise construed than yielding all to Eng
MISUNDERSTANDING her dictation, and
indicating that she is the great protector of
this bloody drama3 When it is remem-
bered that the Turks have always regard
ed their religion as dearer than life itself
as paramount to every other obligation
the moving spirit which urged them to
face death in every form, and march to
certain destruction as firmly as ever mar
tyr approached the burning lagot-and
that it was the love Of their religious faith
that exhilirated the sodiery, and ncryed
the ei1eminatc arm to deeds of valor, and in
defence of which they were engaging - =
athletic and hardy forces of Rus, :, j., :.
tle-we, say, when this iia.oIe,rous love =,
their religious teaettss is ,ememhsre1 ard
then, that all this ms beeu ,,rrenlarad
'n MAJ ~ TACT ,he Turkish identity has been
a " ,ned-it cannot but be apraren: tha,
!, england has been the moving cause Of the
whole war and has bullicd Turkey into
the position she now occupies.
To excite sympathy for the Turkish
side. it is gravely asserted that it is a wal
of DespotIsm vers.s Freedom. But such
appeals have lost their force, and the
sober second thought" of the American
people has penetrated beyond the glowing
isncies and specious plea of English journ-
alists. Liberty has nothing to do, directly
with the war. Russia is despotism Oh
one side, and Oh the other, although Eng
land is prolessedly more of a free govern
ment, Yeti is government of the few
an oligalchy - whose subjects are reduced
to as abject vassalage as the serf Of Russia
while France is ruled BY as complete a
tyrant as ever swayed a epter-notwith
Standing he is the choice of the people,
Freedom, as known and enjoyed in Amer
lea, Is foreign to the aims of each party
to this conflict. 1t is a war for the aceai-
sition OF terrtory--a desire to extend the
/ territorial arena of each government-and
Jealousy Of each other that has precipi-
tated England and France into the battle
field. II does not follow, however, that the
cause of liberty is not TO be benefited by
the engagement. The silent influence OF
the example of this government, has been
fopefatins ON the alil.t,s Of the Masses
patriots are watching iih burning desire
the progress of the contest, and doubtless
vii strike blow-how effective the Sc
quel will show-!or their cause, when
events have Iipened for it.
We believe the mission of America is to
republicanze, and as a natural consequence.
chrstianize the world. Not by aggressive
wars of conquest, and the establishment
OF our form of government through the
agency Of the sword but by the power
full and irresistible influence OF example.
From the hour the vision of a Western
world disturbed the mind Of Columbus
through the vicissitudes and dangers of his
voyage, his discovery Of the promised land,
the explorations and discovery OF Ameri-
canus Vespusius the oppression, flight
and landing at Plymouth Harbor CT the
Pilgrim Fathers the organization Of the
American colony ; IFS oppression by the
mother country the declaration and
achievement OF indepeadence-through
this period of over 800 years, and even up
TO the present time--the baud of Proyi-
dence in the work of disseminating free
civil and religious principles has been
visible. Aud the work is still progress
ing-and will continue 10 progress until
the contamination of the pun pose OF PROV
idenee is effected. The war now being
prosecuted in Europe, although the imme-
diate work Of ambitious rulers, yet the
hand that controls the destinies o. nations,
will convert the carnage Of the battle field
and the human suffering that must flow
ilom ii, into 4 means OF advancing chris
tian;ly and free civil government. Such
at leasss, in our xliasssis the philosophy
OF christia1i.y and the Bible.
O.. The South Western Advocate, has
l. . Il Al. n