Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-07-17

should require something more than the
simple profession of creed to command /
the consideration accorded to the lexalt-
ed Christian character, as it'sis 'under1
stood and honored in this country. But
the question in the East is not a religi-
GUS question, but political one, and
one which involves in, its solution inter
ests of the greatest moment to Europe.
The enemies of Turkey have sought,
and not altogether in vain, to further
their ends by attempting to conceal as
much as possible the real issues
under a mass of irrelevant pane
gyrics upon the Christian reli-
gion, in the interests of which
they profess to be influenced, and com
plants that the enmity of the Turkish
Government leads to the oppression of
the Christian subjects, whose wrongs
excite their compassion. We do not be-
lieve that the questions concerning op-
preston and ill-treatment of Christians
have been echoed in this country but by
persons who honestly believed in their
truth, and there have been so few who
have offered to defend the Turkish side
of the question that the falsitya of the
charges have gone uneh&llenged. But a
reaction is commencing in the United
States, and people are beginning to give
some candid consideration to the Eastern
question. The wisdom of the Sultan in
accrediting an Envoy and Minister Resi-
dent near the American Government,
has suggested more particular and care
full attention to Turkish affairs than
might have otherwise been the case and
in America we are beginning to have a
proper appreciation of the merits of the
political questions of the East. Instead
of receiving the mystifcatioLs and
misrepresentation of the enemies
of Turkey as heretofore, we are be-
ginning to examine more carefully
into the real merits of the complaints of
the Greeks, and to inquire into their
true condition under Ottoman rule
We find on the side of the Govern.
ment remarkable leniency and kind
ness, and genuine desire to conciliate
the Greeks, and we observe on the other
hand that the Cretans are quarrelsome,
grumbling, rebellious, and ungrateful
The more the Government does for them,
the more insubordinate and thankless
they become. The Sultan, through the
Grand Vizier, has made them the objects
of special attention and special favor,
but they refuse to be satisfied with any
policy adopted towards them. What
can the Cretans in common decency ask
of the Sultan, more than what he has
shown willingness to accord to them ?
We have very conclusive evidence of
the material Cretan "patriot" is made
of; that class of disorganizers who con-
stitute the committees, and write proc
lamations and touching appeals to the
feelings and purses of Europe and Amer
lea who have been duped into supply
ing them with the means of existence !;
Hellenic and Russian emissaries, and
ambitious Cretan patriots who were
looking to a seat in the Greek Chamber,
having stirred up sedition among the
poorer class of Cretans, the insurrection
was not sufficient to fully accomplish
their ends, and it is now merely confn-
ed to handfulls of brigands. The poor
families who were seduced from their
homes, are now, it is positively known,
prevented by the Hellenic authorities
from returning, and have been menaced
and even threatened with violenceit they
attempted to deliver themselves from
this tyranny. A distinguished French
naval officer, of high character, states
that he recently landed at the is
land of Ezine, where crowd of
Cretan families assailed him and
implored to be taken back to
their country, and were overwhelmed
with dispair when informed it was not
in his power to grant their prayer. A
correspondent of the Paris Patrae states
that the Greek authoritios have changed
the names of these poor people so that
the Ottoman agents could not find them,
and yet ambitious and designing men,
who are playing the profitable role of
patriots, have the audacity to appeal to
Europe and America in behalf of those
they are expressing. One patriot at
Athens, it is insinuated, has secured
house which will render him eligible to
office out of the money which had been
generously contributed to relieve the
suffering and unfortunate. 1t is, in
deed, time that the canting humbug of
this Cretan swindle should be exposed.
1t would BIZ well for the sympathetic
and charitable persons who have been
moved by the brilliant and pathetic
phrases which have been so long echoed
by the press to contribute towards 'the
$l5O,OOO for the benefit of the Cretans,"
to inquire whether they have been real
ly relieving the destitute and the needy
or furthering the schemes of political
adventurers. Systematic falsehood may
for a time advance the interests of
party, but, sooner or later, the truth will
prevail.
Turkey is being quickened with
new political life and is evincing
healthy vitality which refutes the SIAN
ders of her enemies. She has entered
upon course of public policy which is
far in advance of some of the pretentious
governments of Europe. The Sultan,
Abdul Aziz, has shown that he under,
stands the age of steam. He has un-
dertaken great and glorious work in
the Orient, and should receive the cor
dial support of all true friends of pro-
gress. He has inaugurated reforms
which in their wide range, the benefi'
cence of their character, and
the Importance of their results
upon the future of Turkey,
have nothing to compare with them in
modern times. There has been an equi-
table distribution of the offices of the
State, to the dignities of which all true
citizens may aspire, and the functiona-
ries of the new Council have been Sc
lected from the different sects, IN order
10, tl,.n