The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-03


Our Constantinople correspondence, pub
lished to-day, gives an interesting account Of
the sentiments entertained by the Turkish gov
eminent and people for the United States and
their anxiety about the policy this country may
pursue toward the Ottoman empire. The
Turkish government appreciates the greatness
and power Of the American republic, and, see
ing nd probable cause for any serious difficulty
between the two countries, is DESTROYS of main
tanning the most friendly relations and of dis
abusing the public mind here Of any erroneous
Impressions with regard to Turkey. We GER
tainly had evidence Of the good feeling of the
Ottoman government in the courtesy extended
to Admiral Farragut and to the American navy
and government represented by him. Indeed,
there is no reason to complain Of its conduct to
American citizens at any time. Nor is this
country less friendly to Turkey. We compre-
bend the difficulties of its government in
emerging from the dark ages OF despotism
to the light of modern civilization. We know,
however, that its destiny is to march with the
age That is inevitable. The darkness and
exclusiyeness of the past are fast breaking up
under the liberalizing tendencies of The age
under the irresistible power of the press,
telegraph, steam and railroads. We see,
too, with pleasure, that the Sultan and the
liberal statesmen around him recognize the
necessity of liberal reforms and progress in
conformity with the spirit of the times. We
have no reason to be unfriendly to Turkey, and
we are not We commend her for the progress
she is making, and only urge upon her a broad
and liberal policy both to her own people and
with all foreign nations That will do more
to preserve the integrity of the empire and to
check the ambition of Russia than the closing
of the Dardanelles and Bosphorus or by calling
upon her allies to fight for her.
With regard to the cQaards Of the European
press about possible alliance between Russia
Europe or Of Turkey, that is all bosh. There
'is not the slightest foundation for any.
such suspicion. We have no more sym
pathy with Russian despotism or am
bilious aggression than with despotism in
Turkey or in any other country. We are
lIlcHuly Will hubSla IL ib True, as Win Quiet
Powers which are friendly with MS, and be-
cause there is no cause of international diff
Guilty. We sympathized with the Poles and
Hungarians when they were struggling for
freedom, as we do with our fellow Christians
Of Crete, and as we shall with all people under
similar circumstances. But this does not
make us unfriendly to Turkey or favorable to
the ambitious aggression of any other Power
toward her. We shall form no European
alliances to regulate the international affairs
of Europe. We have a more important and
powerful rifle to perform in the success and
example of popular government and in the
diffusion of liberal ideas through the world.
We can accomplish much more in this way
than by forming European alliances for politi-
cal objects. In proportion to the liberal pro-
gress of the Ottoman empire and its liberal
treatment of its Christian subjects shall we
esteem the government. But in no case
shall we join Russia or any other Power to in
terfere with Turkey or any other country Of
the Old World.