New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-09-27
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TURKEY, LET HEB 90.

Russia is moving force down toward
the frontiers of Turkey. She has been
suspected of an intention to make
this maneuvre for some time. It is
said to be tradition at St Petersburg that
Russia must extend to the Bosphorus.
If history is reliable this tradition has
been attempted and came near its fulfill
ment three or four times, but owing to
circumstances, over which the Cars have
held no control, it has hitherto proved a
failure. But at last the time has come
when Russia proposes to take the Golden
Horn, and this is why she is moving troops
down toward the frontier of Turkey.
The Sublime Porte is duly frightened,
and the Eastern powers are chronic
ally dissatisfied. If Prussia and
France were not at war with
each other perhaps we might not
hear of this Cossack march; but since
the leading empire Of western Europe is
in the fearful grip of an eastern giant, it
is much to be doubted if there is spirit
enough left in the other kingdoms to re-
assert the old idea that Russia shall not
swallow up the Ottoman Empire. Great
Britain and Austria are the most deeply
interested in this question, but they are
both beset by family difficulties, which
must make them careful how they engage
in wars that seem to develop miraculous
contingencies. England is bothered with
Ireland, and Austria has discovered that
she needs her armies not only to repress
republican sympathies in Italy, but to
face down German sentiment in her peo-
pie which has cropped out since Germany
has grown so great.
1t has been the policy of Europe to
repress Russia. She was land OF mys-
terry and Of unknown strength. Her
armies Numbered over central Europe
after the return Of the first Napoleon from
Elba, and it was startling problem then,
and is to-day, how many armies were left
at home They seemed to multiply them
selves when Bonaparte retreated from
Moscow, and it has always been fright
full idea that there was no end Of Cossacks
in Russia. Besides, she is considered
exempt from attack. No other army will
ever attempt to feast on the SHOWS Of Mos
cow. All this has made Russia terrible
first, because her defensive strength ,cas
known; and. secondly, because her often- !
sive strength was not known.
Without feeling any Of that particular |
awe Of the great power Of Russia, for we
DO not hold it as being so great as it is
even admitted in Europe to be, the United |
States has no reason to expostulate |
against the extinction Of Turkey. 1t is
corrupt and degraded government, ruled |
BY pachas and robbed by its understrap-
oers. The people are probably less en-
ightened than those of any other power
IN Europe, and they are surely more
,orely oppressed. The laws are bad, and
heir enforcement is infamous. The social |
of the country is stain upon
he age. The country is lovely in all
things but it's institutions. Then why
should Europe oppose the eztirpation of
such a blot? Why should America feel
my but the strongest sentiment of SYM
oathy for Russia in her movement to
degenerate the smiling States that cradle |
he grave of Constantine the Great, and
rom whose immortal founders we inherit
he Institutes and Pandects Of Justinian? |
Let her fall