Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-11-21
The Ottoman Greek.

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The fault of the Greek character is
love of intrigue, and deficiency in the
power of making individual interests
subservient to the interes.s of the State.
But it cannot be denied that very great
progress has been made by Greece since
her escape from Ottoman rule-far
greater, in fact than would have been
the case had she remained under it.
The cause of this is not far to seek ::
unity of religion, and unity of social
habits among the subjects make them
more easy to govern than if they were
of opposite religions, and under the in
fluenee of fanatical hatred. Moreover,
in Greece there is no inquisition Of
foreign intrigue to foster insurrection
and thwart every attempt at reform,
such an exists, in Turkey: and last. not
least, there are more able and educated
men to meet the wants of the Govern
ment. The Greeks complain that the
area of their country is too small to
develop the great administrative talents
which they possess; but much doubt
whether, If it were extended to a Bay
zantine Empire, their habits of intrigue
would not create divisions which would
break it up into small and independent
States. One thing they have learned of
late years which will tell to their adj
vantage, and that is, that Russia has
hitherto made use of Greece simply for
her own purposes, and that Pan-Sea-
vOnic and Pan Hellenic schemes are
forces acting upon the same line, but in
opposite directions. Amid the late dis
turbances under which Turkey has
been laboring, Greece has shown one
encouraging symptom of power, and
that is self-control. This proves that
the Government has a hold over the
passions of the people. and is also alive
to the real interests of the country. A
rising of Greek-Ottoman subjects, sup
ported by an attack from Greece proper
would certainly prove painful thorn
in the side of Turkey at the present
moment, (January, is77,) but, c4 bono,
it could only end in promoting the
views of Russia at the expense of Greece.
Greek lives and Greek money would
have to support the rebellion, commerce
would be obstructed, msssacres would
excite the interference of foreign
powers, and Greece would be reduced
to her former limits-a poorer and a
wiser State. In travelling along the
Macedonian frontier it is painful and
melancholy, but not unnatural, to find
the bitter feeling which has been left
among the Greek Ottoman subjects by
the horrors produced by retaliation
during the war of independence. The
town of Niausta-in lovely situation
about ? 900 feet up Mount Bernius, and
overlooking the whole of the Mace
donian plain and the sea beyond
suffered more than any other in this
way. | was there last year, and was
led by an old man to beautiful green
sward in grove of walnut trees just
above precipitous rock, over which
fell clear stream in p successive cas-
cades FOR about 1000 feet until IL
reached the wide plain below. Noun
tains and woods rose at the back, and
was basking in the beauties of nature,
when was aroused by details of the
hideous conduct of man. "It was here"
the old man said, "that when boy I
saw all the male population of Niausta
brought to execution. The Turkish
officials stood here, the executioner
there. One by one the Christian Greeks |
were led out. The question was put to
them. 'Giaour, wilt though save thy |
soul by following God and the prophet?'
The answer was No, Efendim; and the |
exeeutioner did his work. But there |
was one young man, so grand, so noble,
so handsome, that they paused, then |
reluctantly put the fatal question, and
he firmly answered NO. Go back,
Giaour, and think over your refusal for 1
an hour Again he was brought forth, |
and again the same answer. Still 10th |
to take so fine life, they offered him a |
third and last chance for repentance. !
'What now, young Giaour, wilt thou |
accept the terms and live?' BY Gods |
help, never he replied, and boldly met |
his tate" Truly, these were Christian |
martyrs, and their race should be
capable of great deeds. The demoraliz-
ing effects of such horrors are not con-
fined to the moment, but leave their |
track behind. This | witnessed on
visiting the house of a Greek shortly
after this old mans recital. A pretty |
child came into the room, boy of about
8 years of age, and upon my taking him
on my knee, and making my usual re-
mark that he was fine boy for his age,
the father said, ''Georgie, tell this
gentleman how many Turks you will
kill when you are man." There was
much behind that question. In the
small Greek towns on the Black Sea
coast very little complaint is heard of !
Turkish misgovernment, but on the
Macedonian frontier it is the chief topic
of conversation. The Greeks take more
kindly to brigandage than any other of
the Ottoman subjects, Ciicassians ex-
cepted, and most of the bands which
used to intest the mountains which
divide Thessaly from Macedonia were
composed of scoundrels from that ma
ton. Mehemet Ali Pasha, (by birth
German,) by his energy and persever-
ance, dispersed the whole of these bands
when in command of the district, three /
years ago; but since the anarchy pro-
duced by the late rebellions he has been
called to the seat of war, and brigand
age has again appeared. Here again is
another instance of the difficulty under |
which Turkey labors, of not being !
allowed time to set her house in order.
-Bdker's Turkeq.
To Young Men.
1t has been SAID, and truly, that a |
man is bundle of habits. 1t may be