The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-03-10
Hoped.for conauests in Asia Minor.

Whatever the political or military impor-
tanc, Of Asia Minor to the Russians, 1t is
of some interest to note that within the
limits OF their hoped-for conquest in Asiatic
Turkey are very many places OF august anu
memorable traditions in the worlds history,
for the Turks possessions east OF the BIOS
phorus include the scenes OF many momen,
tous events. If the Russians at last succeed
in conuuering them, they will have won what
the Crusaders failed to do after an effort
which lasted two centuries. The Christians
will rule in the Holy Land. With such n
conquest. not only Bethlehem and Damas'
Gus. Mount Sinai and the banks OF the Jor-
dan, but Jerusalem itself will be crowned
by the banners Of the Cross. Mount Ara
rat. too, whence may be said to have grown
forth the parent trunk of the religions alike
Of the Jew, the Mohammedan, and the
Christian, would fall into Muscovite hands
But the historical value of their conquests
would not be confined to Palestine and the
holy places-to the sacred spots once famil-
lar with the footsteps, voice, and deeds OF
Christ. Much nearer Constant nope their
battalions would find themselves, perhaps
camping on, at least treading the classic
soil of the Troad. Besika Bay, whittier tho
British fleet was lately sent from Greece, II
the very inlet, we are assured, where the
much feebler banks Of Agamemnon, King
of Argos, and Menelius, his brother-in-law,
put in. freighted with the doughty GreekS,
who were destined to besiege Priam's city.
The Russ ans may find it romantic to bivouHc
within the excavations of DR.. Schllemann
at all events, the Gar could not but feel d
thrill of pride ut adding to his dominions a
site 30 famous and so consecrated to the
veneration of man by the greatest Of
epics.
In another direction his acquisitions
would be scarcely lets interesting TO the re-
specter of historical :eIaaips IL the long
aud lovely valley of the Euphrntcs-tLe
valley by which, VIC :Lsy fairly infer, the
Russian hopeH one day u penetrate 10 The
Persian Gulf, and thus find at Grce 4 7Gihf
d'dppui whence sooner or late: 10 attack
India, and mn outlet for that oriental 0om'
merce which he hopes TO m~onorolize- in
that valley are ruins as sug festive OF mighty
traditions, OF gigantic warriors, OF colossal
power and arrogant wealth, as Any tina,
still ROMAN to attest the towering pride G:
man. The still stately ruins OF NineNer
would become his, and the still not who'll!
revealed remains of naughty Babylon.
Another famed city of old, now sunk II
Loth and decay, would become \ pnfticn Of
his victory. To all who have road "l.d t.
be pitied il he or she who has not, IN child'
hood or youth The Arabian Nights" the
name OF BaBdau VIII Always tah pheasant,
and romanticallyiupun tho ear. AZ the cit!
Of the good Caliph IIaroun-R nj Rasohid. it IL
dear 10 the millions who have greedi'y u.
,oured those marvellous tales. Bsgihi
too, would become Russian. The birth
place OF Homer. az well rs the mrmcrnLl'
,cena OF his Iliad, would pass from ;L'
AIoslem to the Christian ; and Aierre, ahc
other onco great and thriving GeGports Of
the Eastern Mediterranean, together viii
Cyprus, that roAlm Of romance and beatty
would change hands.