The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-08-09
NEW YORK HERALD THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1860.

| AS gefefat RUE, the patffouc INDIVIDUALS VINO
seek to be elected to the Legislature have no
stronger motive than to profit by the opporta-
mites OF selling their votes when they get there.
How consistently they pursue that course the
history Of the last Legislature abundantly tes-
tihes. The struggle now going on in this State
is chiefly directed to the Governorship and the
Legislature. Weed, indignant at Governor
MorgaR's interference with his city railroad
projects, is striving against his denomination,
which is favored by Greeley, for motives that
are not yet 80 palpable; and unless the people
exert themselves to preserve the legislation Of
the State from utter decentralization, we may
confidently expect that the Legislature of 1861
will leave as intolerable stencil of corruption
behind it as did that Of 1860.
| The Syrian Massacres-PrOxtmate DissO.
tuition Of the Turkish Empire.
The Syrian question overshadows at present
that email speck in the East, which seemed with
in the power Of the Porte to dispel, it has as
omed all the proportions of a thunder cloud
pregnant with political troubles. The horrors
perpetrsted, with the connivance If not with
the active concurrence Of the Turkish authori
ties. have stirred up the heart of Christendom,
and il will be impossible now to allay the feel
ipgs of indignation which they have excited
The question no longer is whether Russian am.
btion has anything to gain by Intervention in
the affairs of Turkey, but whether it is humane
OF Just to permit the continuance of govern
ment which Is unable to restrain the atrocities
OF which the Lebanon is periodically made the
theatre. Undoubtedly the consideration as to
the future disposition Of the Ottoman territories
is one involving considerable apprehension
from the fact that three of the lead.
ing governments are eager to mono
polze the lions share of the spoil; but
all anxieties on this subject must give place to
the feelings inspired by the cruelties perpetra-
ted on the Christian population of Syria, and the
knowledge of the utter inability of the Porte to
check the fanaticsm which induces its subordi-
mates to openly connive at these barbarities.
The time has arrived when the jealousies Of
the European governments can no longer be
permitted to perpetuate a state of things which
constitutes standing repreaoh to the Christian
world. 1t is all very well to uphold the rights
| Of sovereign States when their governments
show themselves willing to conform to those
general principles of policy which form safe
| guard against revolution or fanatical excuses.
| Without doubling for moment the disposition
| of the Sultan to govern all classes of bis sub
jects in paterna and impartial spirit, we are
yet compelled to arrive at the conclusion that
the political system of which he is the head is
incapable of adapting itself to the require
ments of modern civilization. Animated by
the best intentions, he is continually crossed
and thwarted by the bigots by whom he is
| surrounded, or by the fanatical sabordinates
| to whom the government of the provinces is
| entrusted Superadded to these influences, the
| intrigues and threats Of the representatives of
| the three leading European governments, all
having their separate interests to push. leave
him but little liberty of action; and if the truth
were known, there is not upon the face of the
earth ruler who enjoys less real power, or
who is more oppressed by the cares and ankle
ties of his station, than Abdul Medjid To
maintain that the doctrine of non-intervention
holds good In the case Of such government as
his would be the merest mockery; and we are
happy to find that the European public will no
longer submit to be duped by the fallacies by
which England, for her own purposes, has thus
far succeeded in bolstering up one Of the
straDgest political anomalies of our times
1t is to the sagacity and prompt action Of the
French Emperor-ready, as he always is, to avail
himself Of the chances that present themselves
of magnifying the glory and power Of France
that temporary stop has been put to the perse-
cutions which have deluged Syria with Christian
blood. II is to that and no other influence that
the unfortunate Maronites owe the truce which
has been accorded to them. But that this truce
will be permanent, unless followed up by the
strongest measures on the part Of the Christian
governments, there is but little prospect. The
European Powers are fully impressed with
this fact and Notwithstanding the formal an
Porte, they have agreed upon the necessity Of
| an armed Intervention. There would appear to
be some difficulty as to the mode in which this
Is to be carried out; but France having taken
the initiative, and being determined. under any
circumstances, to land an armed force in
Syria, the other governments will be
forced either to delegate to her the
authority which she asks for, or to occupy
the Lebanon conformity with her. Thus will be
established two facts, which will exercise new
and important influence on the future destinies
Of the Ottoman population. We shall have
France obtaining q foothold in the East, and
maintaining firm balance between the preten-
sions OF Russia on the one hand and the inau.
ence Of England on the other. Then military
occupation Of Syria, either separately by
France, or conformity by the three Powers most
interested, will at once strike at the indepen-
dence of Turkey, and afford the pretence desired
for its ultimate partition. Should this be ami
cably effected, there would be nothing to be