The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-27
The Eastern Question.

We printed yesterday a condensed accoun
of the origin of the Eastern Question" ii
Europe, and Of its past and present relations
with European politics aud diplomacy All
the signs now point TO an early and serio 1
embodiment of the European powers over tbi
question, an embodiment which, even ifit doe
not result In great and general European war
must at least definitely put an end to the
Gonlnion of the Turks in Europe, aud Introduce
upon the stage of European events one, If not
two, new natiOnalities in the East. The English
press, while 1t earnestly deprecates the idea
| of new war on the Eastern Question: very
plainly intimates that England will certainly
light to prevent the acquisition OF Egypt by any
great European power, which resolution, ii Eng
land holds to 1t, must pretty certainly compel
England, however unwilling she may be to dc
so, TO JOIN France in preventing the acquisition
| by Russia either of Constantnople or OF any
| territory the possession of which would tend to
give Russia the control of the Black Sea. For
! while France, under Napoleon Ill, is perfectly
capable OF leaving the European provinces OF
| Turkey TO group themselves into new and inde-
! pendent communities, 1t is clear hat she could
not permit Russia to aggraudize herself in the
| Levant without balancing that ACKNOWLEDGMENT
| by acquisitions Of her own. Russia at Constan-
| tnople necessarily means France at Smyrna and
| Alexandria.
II is probably of good omen for the peaceful
| adjustment OF the eastern Question - that the
| three powerful States OF Central and Southern
| Europe, Prussia, Austria, and italy are now
allke interested in preventing tho growth of the
Kussan power southward, and I'm securing to
| lne CHRISTIAN populations OF Turkey-Sclavontc
| Greek. and Roumanian-the greatest possible
| development of their own resources. As our
sketch OF the Eastern Question" shows, how
| ever it has always been complicated with and
modlhed by the general policy OF Europe. This
Iact and not the power of Turkey to retain her
european possessions originally made it a
Q9esllon;' and in this fact its perils for Europe
stu reside. The revolutionary spirit to sup
press which was the aim of the European Con.
gress which in 1915 created the Eastern Oues-
uon," has indeed completely triumphed and
gress so earnestly sought to preserve, has been
utterly changed by the emancipation of italy,
the election of Austria from Germany, and the
development OF the power of Prussia.
But the territorial relations of Prussia with
france, and the conditions of the new Germanic
duailsm, are still IN an unsatisfactory state; and
there must necessarily arise out OF any grave
oriental Crisis many occasions which can be
converted into excuses, If any great power seeks
such excuses, for bringing on in the East q war
Intended to produce its effects not in the East
but in the West. While Prussia still keeps her
hand on the hilt of the hardly sheathed sword;
while Austria still chafes under her defeat and
hesitates as to her future policy; while Russia
still sees hope, however faiut, of regalning the
ground she lostin l856-ground which ifit be not
speedily regained. is doubtless lost forever; and
While Napoleon Ill, whose one grand pre-occu-
patton 1t is to leave as few mischievous European
questions as possible TO trouble his son and sue
successor, still has to tortify the frontiers of
France against the probable consolidation of
German power, 1t IS impossible that the political
destiny OF european TurBey can be seriously
taken up and acted upon without the very
grayest danger to the peace of the world.
"
The Next Message of the President to
From the Herald
1t is reported that the President has COM
menced preparing the materials for his message
to Congress on the assembling of that body in
December. Similar state papers from HIM
heretofore have been marked for their ability
and we have reason to expect this will be also.
The state of the country, the important ques.
tons at issue and to be submitted, and the pecu
liar position he and Congress occupy towards
each other, will necessarily cause much serious
thought over aud careful preparation of this
document.
The message, like all that have preceded it
from himself and former Presidents, will en-
brace, OF course, general view OF the situation
OF the country, from the gravest national and
international questions TO matters relating to
the Indians and the District OF Columbia. But
there are few subjects OF absorbing interest,
which we believe will be placed prominently in
the foreground. These will be- probably, the
subject of restoration OF the Southern States,
that OF our foreign relations, and that Of the
national finances.
The question of Southern restoration while
1t is very important one need not occupy
| much space in the message, for the President
! has exhausted IT, so far as his duties and func-
| tions 20. He has reconstructed the late rebel
! lious States as far as Executive power could
| 60, and has--with the best motives, undoubt-
| edly-endeavored 10 finish the work OF recon
| struction by urging upon Congress the imme-
| diate admission of Senators and members from
those States That is all he could do; the
| completion OF the work, as he admits rests with
| Congress; Tor that body has the sole power
| OF admitting or rejecting Representatives
and Senators. Whether Congress has
acted wisely, or strictly 10 accordance with
the spirit OF the Constitution and theory of
| our Government, Is question upon which peo-
pie differ, and which 1t is unnecessary TO discuss
| here. 1t had the power in its hands, and cnose
| to exercise 1t in excluding the Southern States
| until certain conditions should be complied
| with. These conditions are embraced in the
| constitutional amendment. The conflict be-
tween the President and Congress on the policy
OF immediate restoration, or restoration only
under these conditions, has unfortunately ended
in bitter political issue and much bad feeling,
and, as consequence, has tended to retaId the
work OF restoring the South. This issue was
OF the North have sustained the policy OF Con-
| gress We cannot go behind this verdict. The
President himself sa0uld gracefully yield to the
voice of the people. 1t is the part Of statesman.
ship to do so. The greatest statesmen in all
countries IN the present age try to direct the
current rather than to stem il. How much
1 more should this be the case under our popular
anu republican form of government! The Pre-
sluehI therefore, need say but little on the sub.
!eGt OF restoration; but he should leave it
na;o mnvte ~ nov rests, with Congress. Anyfurther
| harm. W." ii's"' w muon
On the subject Of our foreign relations the
! President mas wider and an annie fed He
can take Poslnoh on this subject which will
| secure him the support Of both Congrass ga
| the people. He could not onlv noa, teos auu ,t