Polynesian., 1857-01-03
From the Examiner, Oct. II
Observation-Disclosures.

! The East of Europe, is in anxious expectation
| to learn in what manner, and with what wisdom
and generosity, the Western Powers are about to
treat the Principalties of the Danube. And, as
| the Porte has Just presented the act, convoking
the Divans of those Provinces, to the Enjoys al
ConStantinople, there will soon be means of judg-
ing. Russia undertook at one time to legslate
for these provinces, and organize them 1t is
now the turn of France and England and all are
curious and anxious to see, which party under
stands best, the mode Of establishing the happi-
ness, and to u certain degree, the independence
OF Leyantine races. The struggle of war is over,
and the rivalry of peace begins.
Russia was found to be stubborn foe in the
field, and she will prove no less formidable rival
Ia the question of organizing the Prncipalities.
For Russia did occupy, govern, and organise the
Prncipalitles with power and opportunity as full
as those which England and France now possess.
And Russia did not altogether throw away that
opportunity, for the administration and Organiza-
ton of General Kissely showed an intelligent and
superior mind, as well generous disposition,
considering the government which he served.
We have now succeeded to his task, and for us
certainly it is far more difficult than for him. He
had but to provide for the peace and material pros
periy OF the country, not for its military strength,
Intellectual development, or social emancipation.
He had merely to regulate country destined to
be occupied and defended by Russian arms. We
have to make nation which can defend itself, in
conjunction with Turkey, its suzerain, against the
two powerful and ambitious military empires that
close in it from east and west.
On surveying the country, the FIST thing that
we behold Is, that in consequence OF It's being d.
vided into two principaiites, the capital OF one ol
them, Jassy, is within league or two of the Rus
sian frontier; and if we turn over few years OF
history, we shall find that it suficed for the
Russians to hear at midday of some Objectionable
movement or manifestation at Jassy, to occupy 1t
before evening with their troops. 10 continue,
therefore, the capital and centre of one-balf the
Principalities at Jassy is to place 1t under the
menace and the guard of Russian bayonets A
representative assembly, a free press, any one OF
the wheels of liberty, set in motion at Jassy,
would afford the plausible preteXt for complaining
that agitation is organized on her very frontier
Add to this that if any portion of the military or
gansation of the Princpalities be centered at
Jassy, it would be placed within Russian grasp
Jassy was the capital of Moldayia, when Bessara-
bia made portion of it. and when the Dnlester was
its frontier. If Turkey or England intended Sc
riously that MoldavIa should remain an independent
province Turkey and Eng land should have INSIST
ed that Bessaraba should continue united to IT. and
the Dniester remain its frontier. To continue,
Notwithstanding the Topping off of Bessarabia, to
make Moldavia what it was, separate province,
would be virtually to place it out of the reach oil
French or English support, and to hand 1t over to
Russia. -.-
The Western Powers cannot but desire to sup
port and defend the Principalities from both Aus
TRAN and Russian annexation. In pursuance of
this DESIRE they should FIX the capital OF the prov
ince at as short distance as possible from either
the Danube or the Turkish frontier. At Galatz or
at Bucharest it would be within few miles OF
both.
But do the people of the Principaities desire
this junction? After the petitions that have been
drawn up and signed at Jassy. IN the midst oi open
and public enthusiasm, not merely by the mercan-
tile classes, but by numbers of the BOyards, and
by the Prince himself, it is suPerfuous to answer
such a question. And the efforts made by the
Austrians a. Bucharest to prohibit petitions and
stife public opinion, sufficiently attest what are
the wishes of the country.
But Turkey breads and deprecates the union OF
the PriHcipalities; and this is formidable ohJec-
ton. But let us begin by observing that It IS not
true that all liberal and enlightened Turks are OPP
posed TO the union Not two years ago Aall Pa
sha, the present Grand Vizier, was favorable 10
the idea. And Reschid Pasha holds opinions Ia