The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-23
and tho Christians In the East.

thorough reconstruction?
Russia and the Christians In the East.
It is stated in the news from Europe that
Che. emperor of Russia has proposed to the
great Powers TO hold conference tor taking
into consideration the position Of the Christian
subjects of the Sublime Porte. While there
does not appear to be any positive official au-
thority for this statement, there wasa general
rumor both in England and on the Continent
to that effect. Besides we are inclined to
think the Gar may have taken such step, be-
cause it is just what the world has been ex-
pecting he would do.
The late heroic struggle of the Christian
population Of Gambia for independence, and
their final subjugation, amid scenes Of great
bloodshed, by the overwhelming power Of their
inAdel masters, aroused the sympathy Of uni
versal Christendom. The people Of every
Christian State in Europe and America, and
Christians all over the world, were in heart
with the brave Cretans; but from selfish politi-
cal considerations some of the Christian
governments secretly favored the Turks and
openly discouraged the Cretans. Those nations
which make great parade Of their philan-
thropy and Christianity, which send mission
aries to all parts of the world to convert the
heather, which have shown superabundance
Of sympathy for the negro and other inferior
races Of mankind, and which proclaim the right
Of distinct nationalities to separate and an
independent existence-those very nations
have interposed, indirectly at least, to fasten
upon an old and noble Christian race the de-
spotic rule of an inAdel Power. Not only the
Cretans but all the Christian people Of the
Ottoman empire are kept under CALLING yoke
from the plea Of political necessity. The fairest
portions Of Europe, IN and bordering the
Mediterranean, the beautiful and classic isless
and land of Greece and Macedonia-a people
to whom the world is chiefly indebted for tho
highest civilization-these are kept by the
Christian governments Of Western Europe
under the cruel and benighted rule of the
cfieie Mahometan empire of Turkey from pre-
tended political necessity. British interests In
India and French ambition and supposed in
terosis in the Mediterranean and the effort
TO adjust the so-called balance of power, have
maintained this anomalous state OF things. But
it cannot last forever. Soon the Christian
civilization of Europe must advance end over
whclm the fatalistic and s.andstill Mahometan
power Russia attempted to accelerate such
a movement and In part succeeded; but
she has been held in check by the other
Powers. i was tbs, as is we'll known, that
caused The war in the Crimca. But times have
changed since that war, and IL Is doubtful
whether any such combination az that which
defeated Russia can be formed again. The
Gar waits an opportunity 10 push tho
Turks on. of Europe or at least TO emancipate
the Christian populations from their dominion
II is in this point of view, therefore, that we
can understand tho present rumored movement
OF Russia for conference of the great Powers
in behalf Of the Christians Of the East. What
may be the result we cannot say just now; but
the eyes of the whole Christian world vii!
be steadily fixed on tho movement and on the
events that must soon be developed in that
part Of Europe.