Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-05-17
Eastern question.

adoption, who writes Of himself: 81 was
born in the province OF Bosnia, and lived
there for sixteen years. have been an
eve witness to many Turkish cruelties.
Nv own father, an English missionary,
fled many times from his home 10 save
his life. Nine different times our home
was set on fire." His sympathies are with
Russia and against England. He seems
to be master of the subject Of which he
treats, and the reader may gain much in
formation from the perussl of the article
the topic being Of the deepest interest to
every intelligent general reader.
Originally, the Eastern Question
meant the protectorate Of the Christians
living beneath the Moslem sway. Since
the days Of Napoleon l., it means also the
balance of European Powers. Inc ma
tural protector of the Christians IN Turkey,
is Russia. The whole population Of Tnr
kew in Furope is about IL, 00O, 600, OF which
hardly z. OO0 600 are Turks; the rest Of the
10 9O6 coo are nearly all Christians belong
inc to the different Eastern sects. Most
of the population in European Turkey is
SIavonic. The principslity Of Servis, the
provinces of Bosnia, Bulgaria, Herzegoyi-
MIA. Turkish Creotia and Montenegro, are
exclusively inhabited by the Slavonie
race, all of whom belong to the Greek
Church. In language, literature and reli-
gion they are closely related to Russia.
The same ancient Slsyonic Bible and
prayer-bOoks used in Russian churches are
also used in SlaTonic provinces in Turkey.
In fact, the inhabitants Of these provinces
are members Of the great ''Slavyanski Ma
rod, or SlaTonIc nation, which Is not
meant ''slaYe people," like some stupid
writers assert, but a GLORIOUS nation.
The substantive ''slava," in the SlRvonic
language means f'glory," and ''slaVi," or
''Slavysnski Narod" means GLORIOUS ma
ton"
The two Danubian prieipalities, Molda-
via and Wallachia, are inhabited by the
Wsllachian people, who are, in language
and nationality, strange mixture OF the
Slavonic, Greek and Latin per example
'tDOBlye ishiros B1iluestehe," meaning
''Lord, who art mighty, pity msF Ihe
first word is from Latin, the second from
Greek, the third from SlAvonic language.
In religion, and the use of letters they are
the same like the Russians. The rest OF
the Turkish provinces IN Europe are IN
hablted by Greeks, Armenians and Mes
torians, all of whom, except the latter, are
religiously IN sympathy with Russia.
In order to clearly understand the pres
ent condition of these people, it will be ne
cessary to state that previous to the down.
fall of Constantinople, the present Turkish
Empire was divided into two kingdoms:
the Greek and the SerVian. Constantine
pie was the seat Of the first, and Krushe-
vatz. in Servia, the seat of the latter La
zar Mrynyanjeh, who fell in the battle OF
Kossovo, the 18th day Of May, 1447, was
the last SeIYian Emperor, and with him
perished the Servian dynasty. A few years
after that, ConstsntinOple was taken, and
in the carnage that followed Constantine
the last of the Byzantine emperors, glOr-
iously persisted fighting for the faith Of his
fathers, that Christian faith "once deliv-
cred unto the saints" From that time to
the present day Turkish cruelties over the
Christians knew no bounds.
Every torture that could be rocked in
most barbarous brain and executed by the
most cruel heart, was freely practiced over
the Christians. When Constantinople fell,
Russia commenced to loom up from the
northern background like some great
giant Father Theophilus, Greek monk.
predicted when Constantinople fell, that
when five hundred years expire, a great
Northern Christian nation will re-conquer
Constantinople and rs-establish the Chris
tian Empire in the East. The Turks be-
lieve religiously in this prophecy, and
from that time to the present the great
Northern Gate called ''JOp Kappa" leading
into the city Of Constantinople, has been
closed up and strongly guarded. Strange
l,v,EA fe hTrn
the fall of ConstantinOple; and the great
and victorious army of the mighty Gar of
the powerful Christian nation of the North
is knocking at the gates of Constantinople,
and the cruel Turk lies PROSTATE at the
feet of Christian, and Gods Israel is freed
from Turkish bondage and cruelties in
spite of the English fleet being in the Sea
of Marmora. And now let US see by what
right does Russia constitute herself the
protector of the Christians in Turkey. In
the first place, by the laws of God and hu-
manity; in the second place, by the con-
sent and the appointment of the European
powers.
The cruelties and the prosecutions prac-
tieed by the Turks over the Christians, sp-
pealed to the very heaven for vengeance!
Russia was the first power to take up arms
in their behalf. Twice before the Russians
knocked at the gates of Constantinople,
Western Powers requested her not to de-
-stroY Turkish empire. To this she con-
sented and in three distinct treaties Of
peace-frst one signed at Kurtsckuck
Kanyardi, second at Hissan Hassar, and
the third at Jassay. Russia was religious
Iy declared by England, France and Aus.
tria, to be the protector oyer the Chris
tians in Turkey, and giving her the right
to declare war against the Turks whenever
they prosecuted the Christians. Those
treaties have been signed by the represent
atives Of the above named powers, and are
still in force. Russia remained true to her
solemn trust thus placed into her hands.
Has Turkey kept her promise? No. Ev-
cry few years the civilized world was hor-
rifed at the fearful prosecutions of the
Christians, Nothing could teach humani-
ty to the fanatic Turk. It seemed as if the
only safety for the Christians was in the
determination, or, at least, subjugation Of
the Turks. Do you remember, Mr.. Editor,
the terrible cruelties practiced by the
Turks over the heroic Cretans about ten
years ago? Yes, you do, for the Ledger
did 2 noble work in behalf of the Cretans.
Every pulpit in Philsdelphia denounced
Turkish cruelties and England's mastery
inactivity. George 81. Stuart, Esq, and
many other leading citizens Of Philadelphia
sent thousands of dollars worth of aid to
the suffering and persecuted Crstans.
Only few months ago, in Bulgaria, 70,
900 Christians were butchered in cold
blood. Christianity and humanity felt
outraged, England, as usual, remonstrat-
ed automatically with the Porte of Sub
lime inhumanity. But the more England
was talking, the more Christians were
butchered. Russia, seeing that England's
diplomacy meant determination Of the
Christians in Turkey, commenced also to
demonstrate with the Sultan-but with
sword in hand. She had to declare war.
1t was absolutely obligatory on her part so
to do. She is bound to protect the Christ
ians ia Turkey by the solemn treaties /
have already mentioned. Russia stands to
day as the champion of Christianity and
humanity, whilst England stands as per-
jured Power.
D.. ~