The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-01-03

DEAR SIR.-I have the pleasure to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your lottsr of Nov. Is, in
viting me, on bchalfof Committee on the
Eastern Question, to attend meeting at Glas-
gov, on wednesday next, in favor of Turkey,
in her just, gallant and glorious resistance to
an insolent encroachment upon her indepon-
dence and territorial integrity. a
That cause, Sir is highly deserving, not on
ly of tho warmest sympathies of every just
honest upright man, but also particularly of
the most energetic CO operation of the people
of Great Britain at large, and every exertion of
its constitutional influence upon the course of
British policy; so much 80 that any neglect
on any wrong direction, any irresoluton or
half resolution, in the regard, must be followed
by consequences mischioyous TO the world, but
nobody more than Great Britain.
There is q naughty nffocta,ion in some our
ters, Sir, which would like 20 place any posi-
bio British assistance to Turky in the light OF
moro generous favor to the Sultan: and still
that is not tho case. Private individuals may
act from mpathy-Govornmen never do
1t is important 10 rectify that Alteration OF
generosity, because il does hurt 10 Thrkey by
placing her in the nnbeconing situalion of
protected State No, Sir; if Great Britain
would assist Turkey it should do so, not from
generosity, but from tho necessity of taking
care of her own future and her own interest.
1t is England's future which is at stake n the
East, not less than that Of Turkey. The chief
principle to bo decided there, by force of arms
is "the sovereign independence Of every nation
to manage its own domestic concerns. That
principle. violated alreidy in Poland, then in
Moldo Wallachia, and then in Hungary-ll-
ways by Russia and her aocomplices; is now
idtended to DO finally overthrown in the East;
and that done, no nation can further deem her
self independent. Moreover, it is that balance
of power by which European artifico has re-
placed the rule OF tho right and law which is
at stake in the East. Russia successful in her
encroachment upon Turkish independence,
either by direct conquest could bc-and then
the despotic Czar OF oppressed Russia will be
the master of the world, at least of Europe and
Asia. America may yet for a while resist, un-
til her turn shall come; but you certainly can
not, being, as you are vulnerable both in Eu
rope and Asia. The position OF great rate
power is not an absolute but relative cne.-
A first ratio power is that which Is second to
none. Permit Russia to take hold of a direct
or indirect dominion over Turkey, and she will
at once have gained such predomil lance over
and above every European power, that in COM
parison TO her, your needs will have lost your
position of first rate power, and must become
dependent on the good pleasure OF the omnip
otant Car, at least in some of those political
social aud commercial relations, upon tho COM
pound of Which your'poSition of first rate pow
er is based
Br ons do you like t, lose that posilion?--
If not, do mind in time tho Oriental question
your own future is there trembling in the scales,
and your own battles are fought on tho battle
fields Of Turkey
l would like Sir 10 tahe up point by point,
tho consideration OF each of your material in.
ttrcsts, and f el clnfident of fully establishing
that assertion. Bot neither time nor occasion
permits, and therefore, speaking 10 intelligent
Brilons, | will onl, say at each your mate
rial interests, from your political standing in
family of nations, across YOUR Indian concerts
where-and let that word well be minded, whi
there is yot time TO mind il, all tho millions of
your Mahommeda subjects recognize the Sui
tan OF Cons,antinope their religious chief
down to the very price of your daily bread, is
involved in tho struggle between Turkey and
her enemies.
Mind, while II is yet time to mind it. was my
word: and in fact, as no living man on earth
can feel more deeply in the success of Turkey
than myself do--as well by national concerns
as by national grattitude-l havo great pleas
ufe in seeing that there is general disposition
in public opinion here TO mind that cause
But unfortunately. see no great hesitation a
bout the practical course to be taken TO that Of
feet.
That hesitation, Sir, is caused by tho con-
stant exertions of some mismanagers of public
opinion to lower tho great question at issue
into the miserable proportions of personal dis
pute betwcen the Car aud the Sultan. Thus
thoy have until now. succeeded in checking
public opinion to arrive at an energy which is
commensurate TO the Importance of the case,
. E.sI tt..sN.
but by the highest motives of national inter
ests.
Those mismanagers of public opinion speak
to YOU constantly or tho honorable endeayors
of your Government for maintaining the blcs-
sings Of European peace. Why Sir the timo
has come for pronouncing it in tho most en-
phatc manner, that is bitter sarcasm and
hypocracy to designate the misrule of violence
with the name of ''order' and to style the sup
preston of nations peace If such condi-
ton be the aim, Sir, for which the influential
exertons of Great Britain are to bo used, then
lot Great Britain at least conserve the merit of
frankness, if it has resolved upon forfoiting its
reputation for lberallty.
Those mismanagers of public opinion 60
further, Sir, they consider the presence of your
fleet in the Bosphorus but means of enforcing
some possible trumpery adjustment ofthe quar-
Ici. w DJ, OH ID IL nOb tuc iiusb 'ohCuiouo
Ignorance tn believe that tho Turkish question,
or rather the European question involved there
in. can be disposed OF by some miserable ad'
justment, which leaves right, international law
and op lar liberties oppressed, and The field
to Russia open. TO become yet tho master OF
the world 10y renewing the war &C moro ia
vorable opportunity: Ifreally such be the des-
tination OF the presence of your fleet in the
Bosphorus, then, profess, it would be better
Turkey TO sec the wooded walls of England
sleoring back to Portsmouth.
If tho British men. of war wouldsink or cap
ture the Russian feet. and lombard Sevastopol
aRd land Turkish army at Odessa, and Sc
cure the line of communications for tho Turks,
that would be an assistance. Sir. But the pas
sve presence of your fleet before Constantino-
pie is only an embarrassment TO Turkey-a
check to her energies--an impedimcnt to
tn her of making use of these means of defence
which every political consideration points out
to her as the most availing and tn, most assem-
tial. 1t ia, in fact nothing else than the prac
tcal assurance that. in case of success. Torkcy
should bo prevented from reaping such fruits
Of her victories as would finally settle the