Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-05
THE UNITED STATES AND THE EASTERN
QUESTION.

There seems to be no disposition on the part
Of the People of this country Or their Govern
ment to depart from the policy of strict men,
trality in the approaching struggle between
the Western and Eastern Powers of Europe.
Public opinion in the free States, and probably
among the masses Of the slave States, is in ia
vor of the Sultan and against the Gar The
People generally believe that the object Of
the former is the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of his EN-.
pirc, that Of the latter the integrity of his
that one fights for power, the other for self
preservation Generally, too they approve of
the determination Of England and France to
sustain tho cause Of Turkey The People Of
these countries, like themselves, sympathize
with the weak and the wronged, and are in
dignant at the>aggressor; their Governments,
in confronting this aggressor, yield to popular
feeling, and to the force Of political reasons
,pI,ich concern their poaoer and commerce. Were
it not for theee reasons, they would resist the
popular feeling, and keep aloof from the con-
test and, on the contrary, were il not for the
strength Of the popular feelings, the forco of
these reasons would hardly be strong enough
to drive them into war.
In Europe, the friends Of Freedom regard
Russia az the rock Of Despotism; England, as
the asylum Of Liberalism; France, as the Hope
Of Revolution. Their trust il, not in the Gov
ernments, but in the People, Of the two West
ern Powers; and, once embarked in general
war, they hope to sec these two nations, by
the force Of events, driven to countcnance, IL
not promote, the Cause Of Liberal institutions.
In view Of these considerations, we see not
how the People Of this country can avoid wish
ing well TO the alliance between Franco Eng
land, and Turkey, and deprccatng every move
ment in whatever quarter to cripple their re.
sources, or excite prejudice against them in tho
coming conflict with Russian Power.
And yet we Hud portion Of tho Slavehold-
ing press already engaged in trying to enlist
American sympathy for Russia, as our natural
ally; while another portion, more insidiously,
while protesting hostility to Russian Dcspotism,
would arouse hostile feelings against its oppo-
nents, the allied Powers. Read for example,
the following extract Of an editorial in the
organ Of the Administration, which probably
reflects the views Of certain Of its leading NOM
bers.
Speaking Of the hollowness Of the pretence
Of the Car, Of desire TO protect the rights oil
Christians in Turkey, it proceeds to say
"Ths pretencc now stands confessed by the
Car himsef in his late acknowledgment that
as early Ms 1914, 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 Gov.
eminent; and whilst the exposure has been
made complete by the confession OF the charge
by British minister's the cause OF republican
ism throughout the world will DO advanced.
The true character of monarchical diplomacy
is illustrated by this development, which at
tachcs equal odium to both parties. The most
effectual check given 10 American sympathy
for the Sultan has resulted from the alliance
between France and England 70 support his
cause. Looking 70 our own commercial inter.
ests, we might we'll become enlisted against
the allies Of Turkey. No one can doubt for a
moment that Great Britain, at least has
selfish object in view in taking up the quarrel
Of Turkey. She is actuatcd By no regard for
Turkey, but she is looking 10 the extension Of
the field for her own manufacturing enterprise
and capital. In that wide field tor commercial
enterprise, which is the real prize Mt which
Great Britain ia looking, we have . powerful
motive y prefer the success OF the Gar The
one Is our rival as manufacturing and com
mercial nation, the other comes not into com
! petition with US. Whilst therefore, our sym