The Yazoo Democrat., 1854-04-19
Gen. R. Griffith, Rec. Sec'y.
American sympathy tn the Eastern
Question.


1t cannot have escaped any close observer
(says the Washington Union,) of the tone Of
popular sentiment in our country the sympa-
thies of the American people have strongly IN.
clined to the sultan in his pending quarrel with
the Car. There is nothing, however, in the
characters Of the two governments Immediately
involved in the controversy which is specially
calculated to enlist republican sympathy. They
are both unmitigated despotisms, and neither
PROCESSES the slightest disposition to relax the
rigor of absolute tyranny which now prevails
in both governments. One, however, is sOedk.
and the other str0ng-one is seeking to MAIN
tain its existence as an independent empire
the other is seeking to add to It's present over
grown strength by dismembering and absorbing
its weaker neighbor. 1t is probable that these
prominent features in the difficulty have been
the main causes of the direction which Amer-
can sympathy has taken. Our feelings have
been naturally enlisted in behalf OF the weak
against the strong-in behalf of the oppressed
against the oppressor. Nicholas has secured no
credit for candor when he has proclaimed that
he was con- ending with the Porte for the pro-
lection and promotion OF the Christian faith
In our country and everywhere else this has
been regarded from the beginning as pretence
too transparent to enlist any considerable
amount of sympathy from Christian nations.-
This pretence now stands confessed By the Gar
himself in his late sckn, wledgment that, as
early as 1874, he was secretly intriguing with
British ministers for the dismemberment of
Turkey. This disclosure was made BY way of
exposing the hypocrisy of the British govern
ment and whilst the exposure has been made
complete by the confession of The charge BY
Britisls ministers, the cause of repubicsnism
throughout the world will be advanced. The
true character Of monarchical diplomacy is illus
trated by this development, which attaches equa
odium to both parties. The most efTectual
check given to American sympathy for the Sui.
tan has resulted from the alliance between
France and England to support his cause.-
Looking to onT own commercial interests. we
might well become enlisted against the allies o.
Turkey. No one can doubt for moment tha
Great Britain, at least, has selfish object il
view taking up the quarrel of Turkey. She
is actuated By no regaId for Turkey, but she i.
looking t. the extension of thu field ior her owr
manufacturing enterprise and capital. In
that wide field for commercial enterprise, which
is tha real prize at which Great Britain is look
ing, we have powerful motive to prefer the
success ot the Car. The one is our rival as
manufacturing and commercial nation, the OF h.
er comes not into competition withus. Whilst
therefore, our sympathies are with Turkey, be
cause she is weak. and is threatened hy govern
ment that is strong. thase sympethies are not sc
strong that ther may be overcome when our in.
teres's are fully ascertained to be involved by
the disclosures as TO the policy ana object ol
Great Britain. The late numbers of Retired
Statesman" in our paper have produced sensi.
BILE influence upon the public mind in our coun
try, whilst the late arr CANT announcement o.
Lord Clarendon as to The objects of the Englisf
and French alliance has greatly increased thai
| influence.