Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-04-14
THE TURKISH EMPIRE.

Messrs. Editors AS the GREAT EASTERN QuEsTIoN ad-
vances TO It's solution, amid the mighty preparations Tor war
Of the ALLIED POWERS on one side and me AuTecRAT on lhe
other. il il not uncommon 10 hear our colntrymen, and es
pecially the press of the country, declaring their s%ytnpathies
in behalf of the Turks. and denouncing the reckless am6i-
s a9 the ei motives and Objects Of the parties ia the struggle afe
concerned. there Is little room for any preference ostween
,hem n the Russian monarch be ambitious, are France
and England clear of the like "grieTous iauit = Isl not
war of policy and self agarandisement on their pa!tl isit
not AMUSING to think of the French Emperor, praling about
The rights and independence Of Turkey, and setting hlmeel
ND as the guardian of the 'liberty and integrity OF the Ct-
toman Empire" What is he but an ussisEs, VINO oy Inc
snace OF q single night, converted the FREScH REruBtIc INTO
fEfst HaylR aAa f8 pi iii 81 f4aGssaRP}}tlss@11u MG9s ' hs srsys'y lectures
troddcn masses in seeking 10 regain ihclr just rlghts, by
throwing off the CALLING yoke OF bondage. under when tne'
forsoo,h Where was this sudden horror OF revolution
when he attempted 10 light the torch Of civil war IN France,
by his sily expedition against Bologne, and his subsequent
participation 10 the overthrow of the French GoveInmeat I
A sermon on the virtue Of loyalty, and The high merit OF SUD-
mission 10 constituted authority, certainly becomes HIM
And how ST with England? Is Ia just Indignation against
the unfouudcd pretentions of Russia in regard TO Turkey,
that arms her in defence OF the Sultan ? Every one who
knows any thing Of Eugland's history and her interests,
cannot fail 10 see that such a motive, however grnyely avow'
ed, has really no existence and no influence on her course.
Il Is The fear of CONSEQUENCES to herself-eepecia'ly TO her
commerce in the Mediterranean, and 10 the safety OF her
East Indian possessions, that nerves her arm in the struggle
Talk about saving Turkey from Russian despolism! Ask
the 10 600 900 of Greeks, who, with 4,0OO. 900 Turks form
The population of Turkey in Europe-and who enough mus
numerically paramount, anu lonnltely q superior IaCe III
cbaracter. Intelligence and civiliz ltion) are languishing un.
der the mos, grievous Mosem tyranny denied any pnrtici
patton in the rights or Offices OF governmen,-despolled OF
their property and their persons imprisoned under the Him.
siest pretexts-not allowed TO testify In courts of justice
against q Turk-usk these which form OF despo,ism They pre-.
fer, that under which they now labor or that which they
mioht ..necr from Russia; and they will answer with one
voice-"Down with our foreign masters-aiiens 10 onr race
and Ieligio o; and give US any chance ofbetterine our condi-
ton which, under any tyranny, CANNOT BIZ WORSE"
The most grievous reflection 10 the Greek arises from the
remembrance that his Turkish opPrsssor is foreigner and
a conoueror-a barbarian and an inhdel and II greatly e1-
cites his establishment and indignation, that France aud Eng
land, claiming TO DO CHRISTIANS, should Interpose their ire
mendous power 10 perpetuaie his thraldom and deny to him
oil chance of escape from the Tartar tyranny and Inc siolld,
gloomy, stationary superstition OF lslamiHn.
When he contrasts with this conduct the Intervention OF
Russia in his behalf, and for his deivera1ce, he cannot fail
fighting FOR his despotic rulers and the Russian Emperor
AGAINST them. Already the progress Of the Greek insur.
rcclion against the Sultan's government, gives token of the
coming downfall of an Empire, which, rot even the giant
strength Of France and England, can long uphold. It's not
SO much by the OUTSIDE PRESSURE of the Russian arms, as
by the imbecility inherent in an Gillette, decrepid and degene.
rate Empire, already destined to destruction, that Turkey
must meet that fate which all empires and individuals. WHO
HAVE HAD THEIR DAY, must experience. A calm survey OF
all. The features of The question shows that this result Ia not
only inevitable, b, that it is also best that it should be.
In This age of The w0rld-an age cmphn t!caHy Of progress
and improvement-the nation that cannot or will not mount
the onward wave of civilization and advancement, must be
swept away before il. Like the Canaanitas of old, the Turks
have had their day. They have filled tho measure Of their
iniquilies and their opportunities. They are STATIONARY,
when all mankind elsewhere are 10 motion; for their SOCIAL
ed reforms, (imited chiefly 10 o wretched travesty of on
European uniform for their soldiers, and an awkward and
abortlve attempt al European tactics aid manoenvres for
their army) are only miserable failures. They occupy i
country, the loyeltest, The most fertile, and the mort dcsia-
BILE in Europe. The harbor of Cons,antinople Is probably
the best in the world. How have they improved these ad
vantages2 They have almos, no agricultural No CON-
merce, except what foreigners may carry or take from them.
All the steamers that reach Constanlnople are fareign.-
She has, Indeed, a lew war steamers. blu, DO commercial
marine. In regard 10 revenue, the taxes are n monopoly 10
the hands Of private spectators bought from The govern.
meut at public auction. Everything is overburdened with
taxes. No ship can DO built without the consent of 20.
yernment. 10 their courts, no christians word or oath is
worth a straw. They have no mails. post offices or news
papers. Manufacturing Industry, under any system. is un.
known. They have no public roads and no wheeled car
riages: The interest Of money is 30 per cent. The build
iugs in Constantinople arc built of wood. Fires, conse.
| Queutly, are very frequent. No system OF protection against
their ravages is adopted. Water is brought in Ieathern bags
to fires and SOLD on THE sPoT before II can be used. In one
of the extensive grave yards of the Turks is seen the grave
Of a Sister Of the PRESENT sultan AM Per child. She had
given birth to an infsnt son which was taken from her and
destroyed, lest lis existence should eDdanser THE sAFETY or
THE THRONE! The repetition OF this monstrous cruelty, on
the birth of another little innocent, broke the mothers heart
and she sunk 10 the tomb with her offspring.
Such is The state of afr lrs the statu QUO, which. amid The
blazing light Of The nineteenth century, France and England
CLAIMING To BE THE MUST CIVILIZED NATIONS OF THE AaE-
doing so, they enlist tho sympathy and support of almost
the whole press Of the United States-pcrhaps, with
the single exception OF the ENQUIRER, the whole press OF the
metropolis Of Virginia.
We may be told, perhaps, OF tho good qualities of the
Turks They have some virtues, undoubtedly. What ma.
ton is Incidentally bad 2 The Turks are brave, honest.
hospitable and temperate, in food and driok. They ore also
bisoted, stupid, superstitious and sensual, 10 the last degree.
Their baths are magnificent. Their coffee and pipes unex.
ceptionabls-natural adluncts 10 the luxurious hlbits in
which they indulge. The present Sultan was 1he father of
a large family before the age of twenty. His progeny now,
no doubt, exceeds one hundred.
Now, wha, ground of hope is there, under snch circun.
stances as these, for the progress, the improvement. the re.
generation of such a race2 The Fundamental law Of the
very basis of their social amt political system,
which is rigid adherence to old forms and usages, and stern
opposition to all reform forbids it. Since their reformation
Is out of the question, what remains, but:'he destruction of
their fatal rule and the emancipation of the Greeks, by di.
wing back this Tartar horde to their native deserts in Asia.
This is the work that Russia will do. THIS IS EKR MISSION.
Aod every friend of civilization and humanity should wish
Nor UEoD -eny,ov .pVV NTIT1S :