Year: 1868

no duty but absolute obedience to abso-
lutte authority, and to die bravely at his
command. If Turkey should be yielded to
the omnipotence of Russia could there be
peace for the West? Any security for


Western civilization, art, science? Every
effort towards the destruction of the
unity OF the Ottoman Empire, every at
tempt at the disintegration of her terri
tory, every political movement which
could result in weakening her power, is
blow at the civilization of the West;
for it is Turkey who protects and makes
it secure by offering to Russia point de
resistance against an attack upon the
peace of the West, which would inevi-
tably ensue upon the inability of Turkey
to maintain her own integrity. IF the


Czar should become master of Turkey,


he would be, by necessary consequence,


master ofrPersia. We should then see


an absolute autocrat swinging into line


of battle at the head of one hundred


and thirty millions of people, and who


might dictate to the entire world. A


blow at Turkey, in its ultimate conse-
quences upon Europe, is blow at the
civilization of the age. 1-
= The Ottoman Empire is not to-day


what it was during the ascendency of
the Janissaries, whose excesses brought
reproach upon the Government and peo-
pie. She is every year becoming more


Europeanised and progressing in the
civilization of the West. Her old ma
tional ideas have passed away with the
the old times, and the men who gave
them prominence Since the reign of
Selim the rulers of Turkey have been
great reformers of their people; Mahom-
med especially-a great and good man
gave an impetus upwards which still
gathers strength under the enlightened
and wise man who now directs the des-
TIMES of that people. aa-a'


Under the present administration the
Government of Turkey is mild, pacific,
tolerant. The Greek subjects of the
Porte have in reality no cause for revolt.
They are not subject to taxation be-
yond what Musulmans themselves cheer
fully bear, enjoy the free exercise of
their religion and the benefits of their
schools, and their true interests, both
present and future, lie with Turkey
As the real question is of Russian or
Ottoman domination, and as the lat
ter is unquestionably preferable to the
former, movements calculated to weaken
strength of Turkey should be reprobated.
Late news from the East indicate that
Russia is again assuming a menacing
attitude toward Turkey, who has been
obliged to organize lamdUehr, and pre-
pare to protect her territorial integrity.


The attempt of the Cretans to throw
off Turkish rule is political error. and
if successful would be an, evil to them
selves as well as to Europe, viewed as
to the ultimate objects of weakening
power which is the geographical and
military dyke against the universal
overflow of Russia.


The American public, by unwisely
extending moral support to the revolt,
and Offering the material means to con-
tinue the unhappy disturbance in the
East, are contributing to general
European war, which is growing more
and more imminent. If Greece should
be induced to recognize Crete as part of
the Greek nation, encouraged by the
sympathy of America and the promise
of support by Russia, war would ensue
with Turkey. But this would be mere
ly the torch to enkindle the dreadful
blaze of general war. A political in
stict of self-preservation will range
Austria, France, and England on the
side of Turkey against Greece and Rus
sia, and the melancholy consequences
be foretold. w. A. B.