The Ottawa free trader., 1878-04-13
The Eastern Question.

The following clucidation Of the great East.
ern Question and It's Relation to the United
States was read a year ago as an essay in one
of our literary societies by local young law
then it shows the youthful writer to have had
an uncommonly clear comprehension OF his
very ponderous subject
People, not read IN history, imagine that
Russia's sole object is to free the Christian sub
jects of the Porte. This is an object, but not
the main one. Her chef aim is to push her
boundaries to the Mediterranean, and build
herself up as Il great commercial state. This
would develop her mighty resources and pave
| the way to the realization of the ultimate OBJ
| jcct of her ambition, to become mistress of the
Eastern continent For two centuries she has
had splendid career of conquest. Her first
step in every instance is, to secretly Torment
Icivil strife in the coveted country; next, to
take sides with the weaker party, always pre-
facing "A declaration of war with preamble to
the effect that the interests of humanity com.
pei her to interfere. The next step is to take
the territory under her protection. The fourth
and last is, TO incorporate it as part Of her
empire
| In this way she got possession of Poland
and acquired enormous territories in Asia,
She now seeks to carry out the same plan with
respect to Turkey. She has lately taken meas
ures to strengthen her empire. She has built
network of railroads for the transportation of
troops and war materials. BY Conquerng the
Circassians she has pushed her boundaries to
Turkeys Asiatlc frontier. Extensive forttica
tons now strengthen her most exposed points,
and the emancipation act of 1868 transformed
her millions of serts into treemcn.
Russia is in bad financial condition, and
Poland threatens to rise. But she has ut the
head of government shrcwd statesmen, masters
of diplomacy and finance. She will obtain
the "sinews of war; though she be compelled
70 issue bonds nj fifty cents on the dollar and
put heavy mortgage upon her magnificent
resources The threatened Polish inSurrection
will tend to ally Germany and Austria with
Russia The frequent conferences between the
cmpcrOrS of these countries would seem to IN
dcate common understanding as to what al
terations shall be made in the map of Europe.
But AuStria's position Is doubtful If she sides
against Russia diSmCmberment Is threatened;
it would be II fitting retrbution il she who
Joined hands with Russia and Prussia in the
seizure of Poland, should he destroyed by
her partners in crime. BY joining Russia she
will obtain share in the spoils and postpone
her own dissolution. The infamous seizure of
Hungary gathered within her boundaries dis
cordant elements. OF her 35, 100000, ten mil
lions are German. The rest are divided into
two classes, the Slav and the Magyar. The
former is attached to Russia, being of the same
race and religion. The latter iavOrs Turkey,
Turkey parti,ioncd and a common frontier
established between Russia and Austria, il will
not be difficult for her neighbors to excite ali
insurrcction among the different races of her
empire. Then, assailed within and without,
that once proud structure will fall, and Aus
tria be blotted out of the map of Europe.
England has communicated to Russia her
dsapprova of the invasion of Turkey, and
should Russian armies environ the gates of the
Black Sea, she will speak at the cannons
mouth. France, eager to avengc Sedan and
regain Alsace and Lorraine, will be her ally.
Europe, and perhaps one-half of Asia will be-
come an immense battle field in which 10000,
600 men armed with every facility that modern
science can furnish will engage in scenes of
carnage unparalleled in the history of 5000
years.
During the late rebellion our carrying trade
was practically annlhilated, England enriching
herself at our expense. lfShe becomes involv-
ed, we shall regain our lost prestige as the sec
ond commercial state ofthc globe and perhaps
even supplant her
In every quarter OF Europe enormous armies
are being raised, equipped and drilled. In all
her great naval yards the clang of the hammer
is heard night and day, and the work of forg-
ing engines of death is pushed forward with
the greatest dispatch. As for us, with our po-
litical differences amicably adj justed and man
placed in the presidential chair whose talents
as pcaCcmaler are unrivaled; with the sur
render of the Indian tribes, and better feeling
in the south, we may hope for the future. So
profound is the conviction oipermanent peace,
that the reduction of our army from 25OOO men
to 10000 is strongly advocated. The rcduc-
tion IN the number and salaries OF government
EMPLOYEES and reforms in the civil service, in
dicatc a determination to reduce the expendi-
lures of government To the lowest possible
figure
The powerful stimulus of a European war
will quicken the sluggish currents of business.
Our railroads and canals, those great arteries of
civilization pulsating with the swift current
of trade and commerce. will seaward bear the
products of the farmer and workshop. Nol
more shall we behold multitudes of workmen
turned loose To beg, steal or Starve. Every
available man will bc required To aid in the
production and transportation of the enormous
supplies of food, clothing and material of war
which Europe will purchase of Us.
From Europe in return shall flow back the
streams of gold which she has been draining
from Us during the past few years. An enor
nous balance at trade will soon be in our
favor Ere long the oppressed poor of Europe
will seek relief from war and grinding taxa
tion by emigration tn our shores, and our west
ern wilds will he settled by an army of indus
trious coloniStS. who will develope their gigan-
tic resources and increase our national strength.
The liquidation of our national debt, which |
has been steadily progressing during these
wears of depression, will now be rapidly acceler-
aicd, and before the present generation shall
mass away our country will h. fire from debt !