Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-04-24
TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL p, 1877.
THE TURKISH POSITIONS ON THE
10 DANUBE.

In view Of the present warlike status of
Russia aud Turkey, the following, from the
Baltimore Sun, will be of interest just now
The two principal points on the northern
frontier of Bulgaria, at which the Turks APP
pear disposed to dispute the Russian passage
of the Danube, are Rustchuk and Silistria,
both fortified towns, both lying Immediately
on the north bank of the Danube, and both
memorable for the sieges to which they have
been subjected with varying fortunes in
former wars with Russia. Roughly speaking,
these fortified towns may be said to stand
about midway between Constantinople and
Kischensy, the headquarters of the Russian
army on the Pruth, the distance between the
two latter points being some five hundred
miles. Neither of the Bulgarian towns can
compare in point of population with Kis>
cheney, which in 1867 contained 103, 9SS in
habitants, whilst the population of Rustchuk
is only some thirty thousand, and that of
Silistria, the stronger place, not moro than
twenty thousand, including the garrison ordi
narily maintained there in times of peace
Besides water communication with the Black
Sea by the Danube Rustchuk has the further
advantage of more southern connection with
the Black Sea by railroad to the port of
Varna. In the different Russo-T ish wars
which have occurred during the past century
the Russians have several times captured
Rustohuk They took it in ! $40 after long
siege, aud held it until 1872, when they
evacuated and burned it. In 1929 they took
it again and the Notifications were RACED, but
before the Crimean war they were rebuilt, and
are now quite formidable, both in strength
and weight of metal. But the great point of
Russian attack in moving southwark toward
Constantinople has always been Silistria. In
1773, and again in 1779, it successfully re.
sisted the Russian attacks. In 1910 the
Russians captured it. In 1928 they aban-
doned the attempts to take it after a siege OF
several months. In 1929 they reduced and
held it for considerable time. Twenty years
later the Notifications were increased and
strengthened, and in 1854 the Russians, after
siege of six weeks, were repulsed with a
loss of 1000 men. Silistria is the strongest
defensive position on the line of the Danube,
but it is not tho only obstruction to an army
moving on Constantinoplc. If Silistria were
taken the passes of the Balkan range have
still to be forced, and this has only been Ae>
complished once by the Russians, with an
army which, when it reached Adrianople, was
in no condition to continue the war and die
tate terms of peace if the Turks had only
known the state to which they had reduced it.
WINCHESTER PnEsBYTERY.-This body
convened at Berryvile, Va, on Wednesday
last, att! p. NJ. A sermon was preached
by retiring Moderator Rev. Henry M. White,
of Winchester. Rev. f. l.. Wilson, Of
Gerardstown, was elected Moderator, and
Rev z. W. kalis and Ruling Elder Mckay,
of Front Royal Church, were made Tempo
rary Clerks.
Thursday was spent 10 hearing reports from
the Churches, and receiving and referring
communications.
Mr.. Joseph L. Sherrard preached his trial
sermon for licensure on Thursday, II y. NJ.
The sermon was marked by much viSor of
thought, thorougbness of preparation, clear
ness, conciseness and simplicity, go as to make
those who heard it forget that it was preached
for criticism. At night Rev. NJ. W. Wood
worth preached an able, clear and impressive
sermon.
Friday morning Presbytery got fairly to
work. The Committee appointed at last
Presbytery to report upon the Revised Form
of Government, through its Chairman, Rev.
j. R. Graham, D. D., reported against adopt,
ing the book Rev. A. c. Hopkins, of the
same Committee, brought in a minority re-
port recommending the adoption of the Re-
vised Form Of Government with a number of
amendments.
This gave rise to an earnest debate which
prevented preaching at IL A. NJ, as had
been expected. Those favoring the Revision
as amended were Rev. G.. W. Finley and A.
9. Hopkins, those opposing it were Rev. II.
T. Berry, D. H. Riddle, D. D.. and J. r.
Graham, D. D.
The debate was interrupted by the hour for
dinner; after dinner Presbytery spent most
of the time in examining Mr.. J. L. Sherrard
on Theology, Church History, the Sacraments.
There has been unusually full attendance
of ministers and elders on Presbytery, and
the Reports for the most part are quite en-
couraging.
IMMENSE FURNITURE HoUsE.-Amoug
the leading business establishments in Balti-
more, st the head of the list of its kind stands
that of Mr.. Chas. P. Stevens, Furniture Man
ufacturer, No. South Calvert street. We