The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-07-06
COMMUNICATIONS.
Kingdom of Greece.

To the Editor Of the Press:
Frequent references have been made of late
to the troubled state Of things in Greece.
King Ohio the First the Greeks have abol-
ished and sen thome to Germany. They could
endure him no longer. They have since elect
ed to the throne of their Constitutional Mo-
nsrchy another King-quite a young man
from the royal family of Denmark-who, in
some respects, seems to comprehend his sub
jects, and bids fair it is thought, to be popular,
at least for a time. Still, little paragraphs
come along every few days indicating that all
things are not perfectly satisfactory as regards
the Government, though very few particulars
are given from which the cause can be inferred
As the writer had an opportunity, some years
since, Of spending good portion of winter
In Athens, where he had rare facilities for as
certaining the sentiments and leading charac-
teristics of the Greeks, he would take the lib
erty to mention few things not universally
known perhaps in this country, and which may
throw little light upon what seems the un-
settled state of affairs in that Kingdom.
Let me say, then, that the Greeks, slmost
without exception, are great sticklers for pop
ular rights. They believe that the people are
the power. and have the right to govern
themselves. They acknowledge no graduation
of rank In society, have no orders of nobility,
and never will have any with their own con-
sent. In the Constitution which they extort-
ed from King 0tho more than twenty years
ago, there is not vestage of 1t. They are
rank Republicans, unmitigated Democrats
unsurpassed, in this direction, by any other
people in the world. They want no king to
reign over them, and would never have had
one If they could have had their own way.
When they achieved their independence of the
Turks, who had held them in abject subjec-
tion for nearly four centuries, the allied pow
ers of Europe stepped in and said, "you must
have king" In the condition in which they
then were, they were obliged to submit. But
they have never had any affection for Othc,
and rarely, If ever, did hear him spoken Il
even with respect. The common remark
about King OHIO was, she has no brains" II
the little kingdom of Greece, with its inhabi-
tants-about one million-could by some
means be put through the Straits OF Gibral-
tar, and anchored on the coast OF North Amer
lea, depend upon it, they would become
Democratic Republic in less than forty-eight
hours. They admire our country, its repub-
lican institutions, its free schools its civil and
religious Liberty. They have adopted our sys-
tenn of district free schools In all its essential
features. In the University and Gymnasia OF
Athens. during the winter l spent there, not
less than 1900 young men were there pursu-
ing a course of education. Their "Gymnasia"
are kind OF Normal schools. of high order,
for the training of teachers. The whole race
has strong thirst for knowledge, and high
relish for intellectual attachments. The press
Is unshakled, the Word Of God is free. Athens
think, has not quite so large population as
Portland; and yet il publishes not less than
thirty newspapers Such a people cannot
long be quiet under any form OF despotism.
If their new King behaves himself tolerably
well, they viii keep him, it may be, for few
years; IL not, he will have liberty to go home
and visit his friends in Denmark. These facts,
and many others OF like nature which cannot
be alluded to at this time, are amply sufficient
TO account for any political ripples or surges
which may from time to time appear in Gre
clan seas.
Though / am writing in the midst of green
fields and sweet flowers and refreshing breezes
in this "Dirigo" Stae, will nevertheless
subscribe myself, AGAMEMNoN.
Near Mars Hill, June 80, 1864.