, 1877-04-21

negro, md declared that, though the Cou-
ference did not result in a definitiye under.
standing, it had been none the less demon
strated that, both before and since the
meeting Of that body, the Government Of
the Pore was and is ready to anticipate
IN practice those wishes Of the Powers
which can be reconc;led with existing
T~reatica. with the rules Of international
law, ard with The exigencies OF the situa-
ton. My Government, " he concluded,
has constantly given proofs of sincerity
and moderation, which vii aid in drawing
closer the bonds OF friendship und sympa-
thy which unlta Us with the great Euro.
paa0 family,
If this Imperial Address can be accept
cd as reilly meaning what it says, Tur-
key wou.d appear to have undergone a
Revolution Of IN ,%ra'ieIad magnitude. Il
ascertainiDg thi, point, however, it is
impossible to Owe. ok the means that
have been employed 10 bring this first
Ottoman Parliamsnt together. 1t is to a
'argo extent u nominee Parliament. 1t
represents the wi of the Government
rather than Of the people. 1t is mainly
NIahcmmeda0-a concentration not Of the
moet coIigh'eu d representatives, Of that
creed, bus Of those who are STEPPED to
lie }ips in provincial fanaticism, ignorance,
ard barbarlsm, We shall see what il
consists Of when it begins lis debates and
the probability is that we shall witness, as
the result oii-s Iabours, no real improve
mont IN Tho administration of the country
There is net 50 much promise respecting
-Iz4 .. -.;l a. ~. fbo,a tunc IN fIo G.4
a rliamcnt constructed for France by
NAPOLEON III. l., indeed, it were other.
wise, if it had its roots in political since.
rity and truth, it would go far to break up
the Already lottcring Ottoman Empire.
PopYcscntativc institutions depend for
their worth upon the chara ter and will
OF the people represented. 1t is vain to
cxpcc' solid progress and prosperity, or,
in the words Of the Sultan, " liberty,
equality, aud Justice, f." from assemblies
brought together with a view to 90 the
behests of those who are profoundly ig.
ncrant Of what those words signify. Were
they to enter upon the path of reform
they would paraiyse the system by which
@ circ,et Of Pashas trained to regard their
own wishes only have brought, and are
still bringing, their country to the verge
o ruin. We are always disposed to exer-
else hope under circumstances which will
admit Of hope. We desire to recognize
sincerity and to place confidence in all
who profess themselves sincere, or have
established the slightest claim to such
confidence. But, seeing the anarchy which
still prevails over no small portion of the
Turkish Empire, European as we'll as
Asiatic, and bearing in mind the cause Of
that anarchy, it is impossible to come to
conclusion hopeful Of success for the Otto
man Parliament.
Perhaps, however, it is better that the
experiment should have been tried bet
ter that the European Powers should wait
for awhile to see what comes OF it. The
general opinion seems to be that it will
hasten the dissolution of the Turkish En-
pire. Be it so but even that is prefera-
BILE to destroying it by the sword. Mean
while, the Powers will need to exercise
constant vigilance, lest thu inevitable, break
down Of Western methods Of tgoveFnment
in. the East should suddenly bring about a
COLLAPSE Of the empire tempting to a gene
raj scramble to get something out of4it'
remains