New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-21
TURKEY AND RUSSIA.

The histories of these two countries are
as unlike as it is possible for histories to
be, yet in both the elements of romance
mingle strangely with the severe details
of fact. In the rise of the Turks to
power and oppulence practical realiza-
ton was presented to the world of an
Arabian Nights Tale, in which unques-
tioning faith, unreasoning intolerance,
and religious enthusiasm at once fanati-
cal and fierce, constituted the animating
machinery through which the most won
drous achievements were accomplished
and the most heartless atrocities were per-
petrated. The Russians, on the con-
trary, furnish most wonderful example
of rude and barbarous people carried
forward, and that mainly through the
earnest force of an energetic and far-see-
ing ruler, into a position of recognized
equality in the great family of nations.
When the world trembled at the power
of the Turk, the Russ was little better
than a savage. Cold in cline and cold in
blood, he was ignorant and superstitious,
filthy and degraded. But he possessed
rude strength which civilization was
capable of moulding into an effective
force, and as soon as he became aware Of
the advantages of civilization he wooed
them with an energy as fierce as that with
which the lion woos his bride. Thus,
while the might of the Turk declined that
of the Russ arose. In arts and arms, in
wealth and population, in social and do
nestle refinement, in literature and
science, and especially in that advanced
recognition of the rights of man which,
within our own day, gave freedom to
twenty millions of serfs, Russia has vim
dictated claim to progress such as can
be asserted by few nations either of an.
cient or modern times.
Even before Constantinople became the
seat of Turkish power the Turks had
cast covetous eyes upon Europe and were
indeed, anxious to assert for themselves
a universal sovereignty. At the commence
ment of the sixteenth century they hat
become so aggressive and so formidable
to Christendon that the Austrian EN-
peror, Macmillan, undertook to unit
the chief Christian nations for defense
against the threatened danger. Ere tn
combination was fully effected, however
Macmillan died, and soon thereafter thu
old policy of the Turks was asserted b.
Solyman the Magnificent in the downfall
of Belgrade and in adding to his domin
ions considerable portions of Hungary
Nor was the conquering career of tn
Turks effectually checked till, late in tn
seventeenth century, large Turkisl
force was defeated at zerta by Prince Eu
gene of Savoy, and the long-standin
Moslem threat against the Austrian capi
tai was etfectualIy silenced, Since the
the Crescent has gradually waned, Will
the strength Of Christendom, and espeC
tally of Russia, has become more an
more pronounced; and now, as we write
the very existence of Turkey as an inde
pendent power is due to the forbearanc
the Christian nations which, for NOR
than two centuries, she kept in state {
perpetual alarm.
The most marked advance in the char
aeter of Russia as nation and of the Rui
SLAMS as q people took place during th
reign of Peter the Great, which pract
cally commenced in the year 1859, aftt
the ambitious designs Of his half-sistel
Sophia, had been effectually thwarted.
We have already made passing re
ference to an energetic and far seein
ruler who contributed greatly to the il
tellectual and material advancement {
the barbarous and semi-barbarous tribe
over which, while yet in his teens, he ha
been called to exercise imperial authorit!
That ruler was Peter. Ashamed of b
own ignorance-his education havin
been purpOsely neglected by the regen
J Sophia--and lamenting the degrade
condition of his people, it became his an
bition to improve himself in useful know
edge and to encourage like tendency
advancement in all classes Of his subject
In this laudable determination he COZ
tinued against all obstacles and spite
/ all allurements. He commenced the I
form Of his army by serving in it. FIRST
( q drummer boy and afterward as priva
soldier. Determined to provide his cou
try with commercial and war marin
: he sought to familiarize himself with Il
8 entire construction and equipment
D ships BY toiling as q common workmI
' in Dutch doolryard. He subsequent
+ vent 70 England for the purpose Of takii
5 lessons IN ssamanahip. and meanwhile
i ms AZ industrious student u 81 tkat p