The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-09
The Turkish Question In True Light.

We cannot too closely bear in mind the fact
that all our accounts of the Turkish dispute
come to us through the medium of the Western
Powers of Europe, and are necessarily distorted
by their fears, jealouses, desires, and hopes.
Both Great Britain and France have personal
and direct interests in the quarrel. The former
has the route to her Eastern possessions to pro-
tect, and apprehends moreover not unreasona-
bly, that any extension Of the dominions of
Russia might jeopardise her tenure of those ter
ritories themselves. But little was said by
British statesmen of the part it was incumbent
on England to play in this Eastern matter, until
a rumor reached London of Dost Mahommed's
alliance with the Gar and though subsequent
advices have contradicted that story, the proba-
bility of some such schemes being on foot
among the chiefs bordering on the British pos
sessions in Hindostan, and the extensive militia
ry organizations which the Gear is prosecuting
at Khiva, are quite enough to account for the
lively sympathy which Great Britain has re-
Gently begun to feel for the fate Of Turkey.
France on the other hand has almost an equal
interest with England in preventing Russia from
acquiring the control Of the Mediterranean. Be-
sides these national considerations, the present
ruler of France is strongly moved by per-
sonal reasons to cement as close an
alliance with Great Britain as he possibly
can. 1t is to his interest to make her foes his
foes, and even toplunge into an unnecessary war
provided it will secure to him and his dynasty
the alliance and support of Great Britain.
Again, the only continental Power from which
Napoleon has any thing to fear in case of his
following in the footsteps of his uncle, is Russia
If by combining with Great Britain and Turkey,
he can at this early stage Of his career, humble
the pride and check the power Of this formida-
bic rival, he may hereafter prosecute his
schemes Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT with much bright
erprospect Of impunity and success. 1t cannot
be questioned that these considerations have
been the real motives of the course Of conduct
which The maritime Powers of Europe are now
pursuing. We, if we would Judge of the East
ern question Alright, must dismiss from
minds the prejudice they have contrived towrap
around it. and having neither commercial nor
dynastic interests at stake in the Turkish prob
lem must endeayor to take a clear unbiased
view of the actual principle in issue. II we do
clear away the fog, and look at the matter N
its naked bearing we shall see that in reality
the contest is ono between progress, civilization
and religion on the one side, opposed to back
wardncss, barbarism and Mahometanism on the
other.
The position of Russia at the present mo
ment is very analogous to that of Europe in
The time of Charlemagne. In the time Of that
monarch. corruption had swept away one race,
one regime, and one era Of civilization; the
barbarian tribes had been the apparent, Chris
tianity the real conqueror Of the Roman en-
pire. 70 that empire the Christian Church
naturally succeeded. Political ties had
ceased to bind men together repub-
Gcans and monarchists we're alike indiffer-
rent and faithless to their doctrines; the onl