The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-06
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1867.
sThe Sick Man of Europe"

rebellion, at first commencing with war
cloud the size of a mans hand, is rapidly
spreading throughout all of the islands of the
Archipelago, and will probably extend
through many of the inland provinces OF the
Empire, have directed attention once more
to the prospects of the Ottoman power.
Fifty years ago Henry Hallam wrote:-"In
the present day we anticipate, with an assu-
rance which none can deem extravagant, the
approaching subversion of the Ottoman
power; but the signs of internal weakness
have not yet been confirmed by the dis
memberment OF provinces; and the arch of
dominion that long since has seemed nodding
to its fall, and totters at every blast from the
north, still rests upon the landmarks oil ancient
conquest and spans the ample regions from
Bagdad to Belgrade"
For half a century this Government,
whose fall was anticipated so long ago, has
held together by the force of cohesion, and it
seems reserved for the middle of the nine
teenth century to witness its overthrow. So
far as Turkey is concerned, it would indeed,
seem that history repeats itself. The records
Of the Mahommedan power divide themselves
analogous to each other. From the death of
the Prophet, early in the seventh century,
to the commencement of the tourteenth, is
the first era, characterized by wonderful
vitality in the beginning, with a remarkable
development OF energy and courage as the
introduction. This cycle of conquest was
followed by a stagnation, in which the Empire
seemed colossal, and was preparing for other
and far greater glories. And when all Europe
was trembling at it's power and fearing an
invasion, this mighty structure crumbled to
atoms with a rapidity without precedent, so
that, while Christendom yet gazed with awe
Oh the pile, it sunk out of sight, like one of
those magical transformations with which
Oriental tales abound. Province after
province fell off, and of the vast Empire
nothing was left but the capital OF the Sultans
of Gazna,
With the irruption of new tribe of
Tartary began the second era of the Porte.
Once more was it renowned for conquest, for
courage and ability. Once more it rose in
power to be among the great nations of the
earth. Then came the same period of stagna-
tion--a period which Halam anticipated
would have ended half century ago. The
sign OF decay was to be the dismemberment
of provinces, and until the present day no
symptom of dissolution was apparent. The
insurrection in Crete is the first determined
attempt to which there seemed TO be pros
pect of success. If the Christian Rebels sue
coed, their example will be followed by other
and more powerful principalities which now
own the Sultan's power. We will see the
Porte once more fall into atoms; and once
destroyed, no tribe OF barbarians can appear
to re-erect the edif1ce Of superstition and SEN
sualism.
Under such circumstances, a double argu-
ment in favor of aiding the Cretans is laid
before all Chrlstiannations. Not only does their
heroism, the expressions to which they have
been subjected, and the common cause of re-
ligion, call on us to give them actual assistance
but the fact that, by securing them victory, we
are tending to overthrow the great bulwark of
opposition to Christianity, demands that we
supply them with the means of continuing
the struggle. From the days of Hallam until
now, the ''sick man of Europe" has occupied
the.attention OF the other great powers. With
an aspiring rival in the north, and with
enemies in its own provinces, while Greece
stands filed with hatred to the West, it has
only been the interference of the still more
western Governments that has saved the Sui
tan from destruction. That Russia still views
with ill-concealed longing the fair plains now
held by the Porte, is attested by the fair in
aid of The Cretans, at st. Petersburg, over
which the two brothers of the Gar presided
and that but a fitting opportunity is needed
to secure intervention none can doubt. The
case of ''the sick man" is indeed critical, and
will shortly be settled-we anticipate by the
invalids death.
That the prospects of war are growing day
by day more probable, is shown by the letter
to yesterdays Tribune, written lit report
speaks truly from the American Embassy
at IConstantinople. And war means the de-
struction of the Porte. The letter says:-
1.-THE Cretan Rebellion is as active as ever
the losses OF the Turks and Egyptians there
amounting 10 some 10000 men, and private
advices from sure sources say that the rebellion
10 stronger and the Turks weaker than three
months ago. In Thessaly and Eprus the reVo
luton mas already advanced too far to be re
pressed without bloOdshed, or to be abandoned
by the Greeks. With the Sultan and half his
ministers burning for war, with q Greek Minis
try pledged TO take nothing short of the annex
alton OF Crete, with Russia quietly urging or
the Greeks, with England half inclined x
encourage them too, is IL probable that war car
be avoided? The Greeks are also trying TO sti
up an excitement here. Placards We're yester
day posted through the city TO the effect tina
the Turks were collecting arms and ammu nj