Smyrna times., 1858-11-11
The Two Sick Men"

IL s a singular fact that at the present time each
hemisphere has its sick man." decayIng nationali-
ty whose cass is equally puzzle to the political doc
tors
In the case of one-Turkey-the doctors
have not only disagreed, says the Boston Jour-
nal, but have quarrelled and fought. and what
ia the more remarkable, each has paid his own
bill, although very extravagant one. AS
might have been expected, their patient has
grown worse since they took him IN hand and
seems doomed to die natural death at an early
day, despite the active efforts of two of his
physicians to prolong his existence
The Empire of Turkey is evidently in the
last stages of dissolution. So feeble has be-
come the SuItan's government, that high hand
ed outrages go unpunished unless some foreign
power interferes. The English have lately
been compelled TO lombard Jeddah, as a chas.
tisement for a massacre of Christians, because
the Porte is poweress to restrain its fanatical
MussuIman subjects and it required the prompt
aad decided intervention of the American Min
ister to secure the arrest Of the perpetrators OF
the outrages on the American missionaries at
Jaffna, while our government deems 1t necessary
TO dispatch man. -of-war to the spot to see that
Justice is rendered. But worse than all this for
the Turks, for in it is to be found the cause of
this executive inefficiency, is the corruption
Wnlcn prevails kISdb Vi TIC
Sultan, and throughout his entire court Ve-
nality, extravagaDce and treachery have
reached such pitch that the Sutan's efforts at
reform are mocked by his harem, and his COM
mauds are unheeded by his officers of State
A government that is thwarted by its own off,
cials and defied by its own subjects, cannot long
hold the reins of power; and the Turkish gov
eminent being now in that degrading position,
with no prospect of future amendment, must
eventually see the shadow of power which it
possesses transferred to the hands of those who
now possess the substance.
The other sick man--Mexicn-has not so
my doctors, but is in quite as bad way. A
raging fever is coursing through the body poll
tic, which the native physicians are Vainly en-
dsayoring to allay with Illuminating powders
and lead pills Civil war is a chronic cOmplai
with our sister republic, and is fast dragging
her down to destruction. The case is sad
one. The nation is divided against itsSlt, and
the unnatural contest is converting beautiful
country into a waste, and bringing upon the
people the contempt of the world PrieStcraft
fanatieism and ignorance have cOnspIred to ruin
the Mexican republic. Protection TO life and
property is myth, and justice has fled the
land. Anarchy rules. and Sun must soon fol-
low. Such is the tenor of all accounts from
Mexico. while Spain menaces her with hostile
invasion.
la this state of things, there seems 10 be AT
earnest desire on the part of foreigners IN Mex
co, Of some of our own people, aud of Eng llsf
holders of Mexican bonds, that the United
States. as the party most interested, and at the
came time most competent, should step IN ant
put an end to the civil war, extend there tn
strong arm Of American law, and once more es
tablish freedom and justice in Mexico. Unless
however, Spain ful6lls her threats agains
Mexico, and attempts its rsconquest, we thin
oar government will not and should not inter
fsrs with the course of events in that country
To exercise protsctorate when none is aske
for By Mexico or her citizens, would be an VI
~arrantable proceeding, and at the same tim
a very ex pensive and troublesome one 20 ou
selves. The introduction into our politics
questions connected with the management (
the Mexican nation, would prove most unto
suaate event, while official corruption would
sure to flow from the patronage incidental
such protectorate. If the Monroe doctrine
maintained by the American government, al
no European nation allowed to get footing
Mexico, tina, country will in all probability
gradually incorporated into the nationality
the United States.