The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-09-08
MODERN GREECE.
Correspondence N. z. World.

Paris, AIgtlst 16.-Gen. Meredith Read, the
United States representative ct Athens, is now
staying for some time in Paris, and he has
his views % on the very Important q question % q
the situation aud state of feeling in Greece.
"People who do not understand the subject are
and Importance of the Hellenic element There
cannot be eatisfsctory settlement Of the
Eastern question until at least comparative
Justice is done to this greatly abused but most
be formed Of the fsr.reaching influence of this
sober, energetic and persistent race until one
has dwelt for years within its immediate cen-
tres. This infaence often works silently, but
for the Greeks their just requirements in not
distant future. In estimating its power We
must leok beyond the present Kingdom to the
all over the Turkish Empire. Nor must we
lose sight of the wealthy and Influential Greek
colonies in France. England, Rossin, Asia and
has accomplished work which even Amsrica
has not equalled. No nation has been so tor
tured, 90 hsrrsssed at all points, 60 imposed
gallantly to release themselves from afavery
whi,h had ground them to the earth for CEN
tuEies. Eur, pc then stepped in, seized q hand
fol among the millions that aspired to inde-
pendence, thrust them into . corner, bound
about their necks the debt which had been in
Cured to set the whole race and their ancient
territories free, and then bid them be thankful
and march forward to immediate prosperity.
This done, their not too generous benefactor
began to find fault with tafm ut the outset of
their painful existence. What was their situ.
themf What hopei What meansF What
comfortf The pitiful area into which they
were forced bad been ravaged by fire and
sword. Not a roof remained to cover the
heads Of the women and children. They were |
hungry and naked until clothing aud food |
came from beyond the Atlantic, and they re- |
ceived from America eeympathy and succor |
which they have not forgotten. From that |
moment Greece tosk hope, and she has ever |
since looked to America for moral support.
Nowhere does the history Of ancient Greece |
persistent energy a. modern Greece displays |
Within half q century 1900 Sowns and Villages |
have been reb1ilt, the ancient porte restored, |
and new ma1ts opened to returning commerce. |
Atbens, when tho war of independence was |
ended, had not Q hsbitsble house. To day she |
10 beautiful aud thriving capital, inhabited
BY q sober and Industrious population nun bsr-
ing 20 600, with 20 600 more In her seaport, Pi-
nug, where only one house stood less than half |
, century ago. Athens has been rebuilt in such |
IN admirable manner that General Grant, who
ought to be no mean judge of cities, as he has
.een SO many of them In his travels, told me
that for its size, he thought it had no equal in
.ymmetry in the world. 1t Rbounds in bene-
VIOLENT institutions founded by native and
,ity attended by two Thousand Students; it's
Libraries contain two hundred thousand Vol
lmes, while fine observatory, presided over
oy the distinguished astronomer, DR.. Sob midi,
and a magnificent academy, nearly completed,
attest the patriotic generosity of the Austrian
Greek, Baron Sina. An educated Hellenic
population is today spread, as have already
like o network over the ancient ter.
itories of Greece outside of the present king |
iom. In some parts it 10 massed 30 thickIy
hat there is scarcely room for any other ele.
nent, however small. s#
"The Greeks, !" continued General Read, "are
u reality people with future. and with the
certainty of . great beritsge Of power 10 the
Eastern Mediterranean. Like their fathers,
hey are born sailors, and they will eventually
reate great carrying Grade if allowed to fol-
10 more patriotic people in existence.