Polynesian., 1857-01-03
No. 35

IVora0le TO 1t at the present moment. The great
er number OF the Turks have, however, an obiec-
tlon TO the union, because they think il would i'm
medlately lead TO the enthronement of foreign
prince, who might in time, initiate the King of
Greece, set up as a candidate for the BYZANTINE
Empire, and organise his army in bands to devas-
tate and trouble Bulgaria.
The similarity between Greece and the Princi-
palltIes, on which these suspicious of the Porte
are founded, does not exist. First of ALL Greeks
and Turks have ever been malignant foes Turks
and Wallachians have by no means lived in such
mutual hatred. When Ypsilante in 1891 strove to
raise the Wallachians against the Sultan
simultaneously with Greek revolt the people of
the Princpalities not only refused, but rose in
contrary sense, to oppose the Greek, and to de-
fend the Turk and the Turks were so grateful
that they allowed the Princpalites to elect native
princes, instead of having Greek Fanarotes in-
posed upon them.
We need not recount the burning desires, and
the many efforts made by the Moldo- w allachians
IN the late war; to take part with the Turks against
the Russians. 1t is not forgotten that when the
PrlnciPalItles effected their revolution in lS4Si
and asserted their liberties, the Turks did not OPP
pose them. If afterwards the Turks put dowR
their freedom, it was because the Russians COM
PEELED them to do so. And if severity was shown
to the patriots, that was the personal act of Omar
Pasha, Fuad Pasha opposing it, since which period
/
many Of those exiled on that occasion, employing
some and pensoning others. Although th"
proud and upright Of the patriots have Gec.ued
any such favors, still the good feeling of the Porte
has been displayed; and even now the Turks
would permit the exjles 10 return to their country
if Austria would consent.
There is therefore no similarity in the feelings
and relations which exist between Turk and Wal
ZACH, and those which exist between Turk and
Greek. The Greek has never felt the fangs of
either the Russian or Austrian eagle; they know
of Russia merely the religious sympathy and the
pecuniary aid. But the Modo-W allachians have
felt Russian and Austrian oppression; and unite
with Russia or with Austria no MOldo-W allachian
would, unless, indeed, Fanariot prince sent
thither TO reign over and Oppress them. The
Surbeys and the Stourdzas might lean on Russia,
and welcome their armies; but it is precisely the
return Of such princes that the Moldo-Wallachians
deprecate, and that the Turks should also depre-
cate, were they true 10 themselves, instead of
adopting Austrian policy and Austrian suspicious.
The union of the Principalites, and of their
senate, or their representative assembly IN one
capital, would give political existence and
moral weight to the Rouman nation. This, OF
course, Austria would not like but such 4 centre
of enlightenment. instead Of being turned against
Turkey, would aid that power in its efforts for re-
form. The union of the Principalities would di-
minish their court expenditure, and curtail the
nuUOeT OF pIdCeS Occupied Dy lne uOUIesSe5 10
would establish one economical fiscal system, and
one army, SMALL to be sure, of about $4,000 or
$4,000 men, but which would be far more jealous,
and far more useful in a war with Russia, than
similar number of Piedmontese.
1t is BY no means the wish of the Roumans TO es-
tabsh or make approach to a republican form
of government. That would be approached far
more by dividing the princiPalities, than by unit
ing them. They are at that period of develop
NJ Xyhi IA
quired, in order to compel the landed proprletors
to emancipate and do justice to their cUltivators
and peasants. And the wish Of the liberal Moldo-
Wallachs for union, is not in order to bring about
a democratic form of government, but, on the con-
trary, a strong and benehcent executive. A
HospOdar, named for a term of years, or even for
life is eternally condemned TO think of his family
and its future fortunes instead of devong his en-
ergies to the improvement of the country. Two
hospodars would be looking out for support to st.
Petersburg or Vienna, whilst one prince would
look to the nation, and find in it strength that no
foreign party could give him.
An idea, and we think an unfortunate one, is en-
tertaned by certain English politicians, namely,
that it is possible to reform the Prncipaties, yet
leave the Government untouched, and work So
cial without political regeneration. This is
mere illusion. The commissioners about to pro-
ceed to that country may draw up the best moral
code and the wisest mercantile regulations. They
may organize the country after the most approved
ideas and experience of England or of France,
But hospodars will carry out none of these things.
Hospodars will be of that hfe-aristOcracy which
farms the country, and turns power and revenue
to its own profit. hospodar can never be any
thing but Great BOier; and even with the great
est talents and the best intentions, never eth
er govern or reform the country with the power or
the snccess of the Russian General Kisse!y.
Let us suppose, then, that after ten or twenty
years trial it becomes evident to the Romans
that the French and English alliance and Influence
have not improved their condition. not strengthen
ed their nationality, ameliorated their govern
ment and that they find oil the ills of the old hos
podarate perpetuated under the new; what must
be the conclusion, not only in the MOldo-W al
lachian, but in the Levantine mind +? II Will be,
that France and England together know not how
to constitute and legisate for the people of
the East; but that Russia understands that sci
ence infinitely better, and applies It with
more steadiness and success. This Is conYie-
ton which we should do our utmost to obviate and
prevent.