The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-05-24
PRINCE METTERNICH.

trve her infdeliles. In his mind provinces
are the playthings of princes, 10 be traded
as farmer trades his acres sand human be-
ings are articles of traffic in the game of di-
plomacy.
Turkey has within itself the elements of
an independent existence, and some char
acleristics Of liberalily in its government
superior 10 most others of Europe. 1t is very
free in its municipal laws, and each province
regulates. lis contribution 10 the central gov.
eminent. II has no hereditary nobility 10
cal out The substance of the toilsman 10 the
remotest generation for even family names
are unknown. There IS perfect equality a.
mong the people, and no distinction or priv.
ileges of class so that the peasant Of TO.
day may be the pasha of Tomorrow The
government is not perfect, but il has this
merit that i does not govern too much. The
leaden, penetrating and omnipresent cenlra-
liZalion OF Russia and Austria is unknown !;
and the Turks are not like The Germans,
Italians and Muscovies ground down under
the heavy burden of vast army of officers
The subjects of Abdul Medjid who wish
10 travel for improvement, for commerce or
for pleasure have not as in Russia 10 ask
formal leave of their sovereign, and pay be-
sides large sum yearly for the permission
If they wish 10 read and learn, they do not
find themselves thwarled and fettered as in
Austria, by orders at the custom-house to
prohibit the entry of all books fitted 10 slim
ulate inquiry, 10 cultivate genius, 10 excite
ambition or reward labor. There is no In
dex Expurgatorius in Turkey. Tie Sultan
never confiscated treatise on Astronomy
or politics, like the Pope of Rome; or shut
up Protestant school like the King of Ma
pies; or imprisoned Christian for reading
the Gospel of ST. John, like the Grand Duke
of Tuscany.
In commercial restrictions the Porte is the
most liberal of sovereigns IN the world and
Russia and Austria The mos prohibitory and
oppressive. Turkey admits every article OF
import at a duty of three per cent Russia
and Austria (besides number of internal
impedimenls) charge from five 10 sixty per
cent. Then the Tansimat, or great constilu-
tional reform of 1889, which conferred
equal civil rights on all the subjects of The
Porte, and substituted law for mere despotc
| will, laid the foundation for new order OF
things, which when completed, will place
Turkey far ahead of Russia in all essential
civilization. 1t is not yet universally estab-
lshed, but is gradually making its way
from the centre outwards. 1t secures prop
erty, and endeavors 10 secure fair admins
tration of justice. New courts of law have
been created in several of the great towns,
and the evidence of all men is received
without distinction of creed and such great
satisfaction has been given by these new
tribunals, that petitions have lately been for
warded 10 Consantinople praying for their
extension 10 oher districts. Lord Palmer
sion, the shrewdest (if he is not the most
honesty statesman of England has said that
there isno country in Europe which has made
such rapid strides 10 civilization and strength
during the last thirty years as that very Tur-
key which the English nation has been ac-
customed 10 regard as in the very last stage
OF decrepltude and dissolution.
GTo BE CONTINUED