The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-08-26

When England and France united to protect
Turkey from Russian aggression, it was not out
of friendship for the Sultan, or from sympathy
with the Mussulmans; but in the interest of Eu-
rope and for the preservation of the balance of
power. So far as the PRONUNCIATION of Christian
doctrines and the security of the Christian popu-
lations of the Ottoman empire are concerned, the
absorption of Turkey by any one or more of the
great European powers, would prove of eminent
service. But to have suffered the Gear to seize
possession of the throne of CONSTANTINE, would
have been to make the Russian the foremost power
in the world, and to have subjected to the impe-
rous will of one absolute sovereign, the future
destiny of the neighborng States. 1t was not
therefore, in spirit of pure philanthropy, that
the Western Powers fought, in the Crimea, the
battles of Turkey; but as a measure of policy. 1t
was to check the progress of Russia on the shores
of the Euxine and the Mediterranean; to wrest
from the Gar his control over the mouths of the
Danube-to relieve the Principaities from the
pressure of Russian Protectorate and to secure
Austria from the overshadowing influence of an
ambitious and energetic neighbor by the recon-
struction of a part of what formerly constituted
the Western boundary of the Russian Empire In
such struggle, involving consequences so mo-
mentous to the allied powers, the protection of the
Turkish Empire was absolutely essential to the
preservation of the balance of power in Europe,
and was of almost equal Importance to the securi-
ty of the French province of Algeria, of the vice
royalty of Egypt, and of British rule in In
dia. But in spite of the armed Intervention
of England and France; the sacrifice of two
o,,l o,l
penditure of several millions of pounds sterling,
the Turkish Empire is gradually crumbling to
pieces. The 'sick man. TO use the expressive
figure of the Car NICHOLAS has not been benefited
by the nostrums of the doctors. He has been re-
lieved from extinction by violent means; but for
his old chronic complaint diplomacy has failed to
discover an adequate remedy. Neither the Haiti
Humayun, nor Tangimat avail to relieve the
Christians in Turkey from the effects of Mussulman
intolerance and fanatcism From Northern AL
bana, to Arabia Felix, Turkish msrule prevails to
a greater extent than ever. The annual revenue
of the Empire falls far short of the expenses of the
government and instead of greater harmony pre-
vailing among the mixed races subject to Turkish
authority,-now that Russian agents have no
longer the same power to stir up tlesprovinces to
revolt the spirit of dsaffection has increased until
it extends from the shores of the Black Sea to the
Gulf of Venice. SO far, therefore, as Turkey is
Immediately concerned the result of the Crimean
war has been to accelerate the decay of Turkish
power in Europe, and to render the bigotry of the
Asiatic Turks more intense and insufferable With
such people, an European protcctorate can effect
no permanent good. What salutary impressions
h1r ha ID
welded to their opinions; clinging to an effete
faith, and regarding every European as a natural
enemy? During the Crmean war; many and
profound were the speculations of Journalists con-
corning the future destiny of the Turkish Empire
Through the influence of European civilization.
and under the control of European intelligence,
populous cities were to spring up on the shores
of the Euxne, and tine fertile region ada
cent was TO become the granary of the world.
The power of the Sultan was to be acknowledged
from the centre to the circumference of his domin-
ions, and Christians and Mussulmans possessed of
equal rights and equal privileges, were to labor to-
gether orthe common good under just laws impair
TALLY administered. ANational Bank was to be es-
tablished; railroads were to be constructed: canals
dug, and commerce was to flourish like a green BAY
tree. twas one ofthose Arcadian fancies in which
ingenious theorists occasionally indulge and like all
such fncies it could not stand the test of practi-
cal demonstration. What Turkey was before the
Crimean war, that Turkey now is, only more help
less, more inert, more bigoted. The Muezzin still
summons from dome and minaret the faithful to
prayer as of old The green standard of the pro-
phet is still sacredly preserved in the mosque of
Omar or Sophia the horse tails of gaiy appareed
Pachas still futter in the wind, and glisten in the
sunshine of Stambou but the warlike spirit and
the industrial enterprise which once animated the
followers of Mahomet, and Omar, and Abubeker,
no longer challenge the fear and admiration of
the world. European Turkey is wholly disaffected,
and over Asiatic Turkey the Sultan exercises only
a nominal jurisdiction. Where all the elements of
homogeneous nationality are wanting. what
hope is there for the regeneration of the people I'M
der feeble government contending with diverse
interests? In Europe the Turk is now but So
Journer. His traditions point to time when he will
be constrained to abandon his European conquests
and retire into Asia. These traditions are now in
process OF 1uhment, and the most difficult problem
which the Western powers, at no very distant day,
will be called upon to solve in the event of the
breaking up of the Turkish Empire. or of its con-
centration within its original limits is the disno-
sition to be made of European Turkey, and the
form of government which will be best adapted to
promote the welfare of its sixteen millions of in
habtants
The fact that the remains of WELLS and McCoMAs,
fhaf