The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-01-08
The Eastern Question. "

We once knew two editors who left their
recns In the midst Of their labors and went
to ZETELLE's to refresh and console them
Selves with the comestibles and stimulants
si1as twinklcd with unusual brightness at q
hoid lime upon his rich bill of fare. One Of
the reconcile gentlemen was in the midst of
an article on the +" Eastern question" 1t is
rai proper to go further than to seat them at
table with the most unimaginable good
things near and dear to them. There let the
curtain fall. Suffice 1t to say that the able
essay on the " Eastern question was not
finished on that day. Since then there has
been in certain circle-or uncertain circle,
Us you please-a great deal more meaning
attached to the discussion OF the 6 Eastern
question" than most people are aware
OF.
That was some time ago; but the East
ern question" is still an undecided question,
and many essays and table-aiscussions are
still to be written and enjoyed before 1t is
disposed OF. If 1t disturbed society no more
than did the debate at the restaurant, and If
its consideration only delighted menas did
the entertainment aforesaid, its continuation
till" crack o. doom y would be q matter OF
no datriment to anybody. Unfortunately
this is not the case.
The Eastern question continues TO yex
European diplo macy, while If the diplomats
of the Great Powers could only meet at a
table such as the editorial sayants referred 70
found ut ZErELLE's they would soon be In
mental and sentimental condition that would
at once lead to the final settlement Of the
question that has yexed Europe since the
era of the Crusades. For all that is essen
tia, TO Its settlement is the generous, unset
fis5, and really natural impulses which are
inevitable from genial, charitable, and hu-
u,stie consid erations.
whatever the Governments of Europe may
rnanifest concerning diplomacy and policy,
<sblood is thicker than water y; the cross
cannot be bound up in wreaths with the
1 crescent. The followers of the one will never
fraternizs with the worshippers Of the other.
This Ia what yexes Europe, and but that the
Great Powers are jealous and suspicious Of
one another 1t would Yex them no longer.
The Crusaders exhibited to the world the
highest examples Of heroism and devotion
ever known. no this day the deeds of chiv.
airy aud devotion in the. attempt to rescue
the Holy City from the Saraeen thrill the souls
o. ell who read Of them; and however phi,
I losophers may deplore the Crusadss as i'm.
4 practicable and visionary, the shining deyo-
ton aud glorious heroism manifested in them
mus. ill all hearts with wonder and sympa-
s5thss as long as letters are known to men.
~ is Idle to suppose that such zeal, such
hero;sm. have persisted Ia the minds Of men.
Trhfy live 10 the hearts OF Christian Europe.
Men cannot shut their mouths, still their
hearts, nor shackIe their arms while eleven
million OF European Christians are ruled by
four million OF Turks. This is the matter.
The little outbreak that occurred in the
Turkish European provinces short time
since has Increased 10 magnitude and spread
over otner prcyi nees. Involving an immense
3anount of suffering and blood. So these
sorfbrsaks have periodically aroused the sym.
pathy Of Ghristende lon, " hilst the pelicy and
jealousy OF Ghristian nations have combined
50 smotaer rabelH Hon and aesaan The Christian
cagisiss 10 he Tnrk. The saraeen drove the
ESistIaa from Jerusalem, hu. that u 40 rea.
SOB 81 AZ the safaeen sh0nid fyraDnszs over
She classie sosi ot cshsIssisnisg ard OYER mil