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Leader (1850-1860), 15th March 1856, Edition 2 of 2, Page 15

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      .The.Jsratiojsts Op The Pbincipalities. ...

      destroy their independence , and to divide their forces . Boumanian . history commences at the point when Trajan ' s legions descended into the valley of the Danube , and founded a pastoral society . The next scene discloses the national -flight from Transylvania , the erections of cities « nd fortresses along the line-off the great river of Europe , and the dispersion

      of a brave and cultivated people . It seemed not enough that their ancient : plans should disappear , that they should no longer hope to establish a free dominion , with its citadel on the Carpathian range , and its territories in the vast and fertile plains ^ around . , Disjointed by the shocks of the barbarian war , ¦ one 'half of the Roumanian race was left at the foot of

      the Transylvanian hills ; one half was thrown on the borders of the Danube ; and this , again , was broken -into the Moldavian . ' Wallachian nations . Temporarily divided , they were not easily conquered . They produced great statesmen and military leaders ; they contended with the audacity of the Hungarians and the ambition of the Poles , and-the Red Forest , near the Dniester , is one memorial . of the courage with which this newly- ^ planted population maintained its .

      independence . From that epoch tothe , present , though their territories have been overrun- — though the Poles and the Hungarians have claimed them as subjects- ^ though ? the Ottoman empire has obtained privileges of supremacy , in which Russia and Austria tbav-e sought to partake , the Danubian Principalities have , falways enjoyed , in one sense , a separate political constitution which cannot be ^ annulled by the Conference of-Paris without a ¦ violation of right and law . It is common to speak of

      them as appendages of the Turkish empire , and it has been flippantly suggested to dispose of them , by a comaiission ,. as a minor "interest" not worthy to engage the solicitude of a Plenipotential Gouncil . -But if a decision be forced upon the M 6 ldo-Wallachian nation contrary to the spirit of their history , and to their own hopes and tendencies , the act will be a political crime , which wall recoil upon its authors , for a peace , founded in such a spoliation , may be the source of half a century of war .

      M .-Edgar Quinet , in an elaborate study * on the history of the Roumanian race , based on the Ohronica Homariilor , published in three quarto volumes at Jassy , admits that it is impossible , in the actual condition of Europe , to propose the foundation of a complete Roumanian State . Such an act would fuse into one dominion the territories of TVallachia , Moldavia , Bessarabia , the Bukovina , Transylvania , and a part of the Banat of Hungary . It creates frontiers on the Theiss ,

      the Carpathians , the Dniester , the Euxine , and the . Danube . But , of the six provinces indicated , two fell away from the Roumanians , so long ago that their influence is forgotten ; two others have been crushed by conquest i—two only , the Danubian Principalities , remain ; and it is by consolidating them into a separate State , connected by political ties with the Porte , and by diplomatic guarantees With the rest of Europe , that the honest objects of the war may be obtained .

      Much rabid sentimentality has been diffused on this subject . A little faction of lecturers in England , which seems possessed by a Mahoramedan fatuity , declares through the columns of its dying organ , against the spoliation of Turkey , by the establishment of a separate Government in the " " Principalities . But the relations between the Porte an , d the Moldavian and "Wallaohian . states , ( never amounted to more than a nominal ,, eubaidy accorded by the one , in return for Imperial * Revuo d « s Doux Mouses , JVforolviafitf .

      protection guaranteed by the other . Under a liberal constitution , with free outlets for its trade , and unlimited rights of self development , there is no reason why the Moldo-Wallachian people , united under one Government , should not become -an important element . in the political organisation of Eastern Europe , and maintain a militia force of a hundred thousand men . It is the interest of Austria to prevent this amalgamation , because the disunion of the ^ States perpetuates their ,

      impotence , their poverty , and the facilities of intrigue and aggression . The interest of Russia is the . same , 4 iid for identical , reasons . The interest df a , faction in Turkey harmonises with that of her jealous neighbours , because it is served by whatever . promotes embezzlement and corruption ; but reall y to secure the TOttoniaxx empire it would only be necessary to raise up-a solid , living nationality on the Danube , which . asvould not merely create an impassable fortification on the frontier , but "

      keep the river open to the trade of Europe . It is no discouragement to this idea to , point to the helpless prostration of the Principalities under theix tributary princes , under vthe Phanariote viceroyalty , and under the Russian . protectorate . It is enough to remember that they have € or centuries been ^ abandoned by the other powers of Europe , % hat they have nevert abdicated theirdnational rights , arid'that , with scarcely ah exception , t'he ' Mdldavians and ^ allachians desire to found a federative

      Government . It is true that the treaties which guarantee their independence of the Porte , in all matters relating -to their personal and political rights , ; are -no longer in existence ; but the f faets that prove conquest are absent . What proved 'the conquest of -Spain , Attica ; the 'Mbrea , the Greek Archipelago , Asia " Minor , Servia and Bulgaria by the Turks ? Their original laws , -even-their manners , were suppressed ; their religion was proscribed ; the mosques of Islam were insolently erected in : every town .

      Nothing of the kind ever took place in the Principalities . The Mahonamedans were forbidden even to build a mosque , and never ventured to infringe this peremptory law ' They never marked the country with the brand of conquest ; ¦ they never arrogated the initiative in . changes of , government . Th ^ Moldo-Wallachians preserved , throughout . . all vicissitudes , their ancient customs , their arts , their schools ; they have national traditions ; they have a language , a history , and a religion ; and , if they have suffered from

      natural and accidental misfortunes , from the original disintegration of the Roumanian race , from the former hatred of the Poles , Hungarians , and German nations , from their peculiar tenets which isolate them among the Latin communities of the East , they have claims which cannot be -denied ; and whatever be the influences exerted by Austria and Russia , they have a right to be established as a nation , under European guarantees . Under those conditions they may fortify the Peace ; under any others they will form the objects of selfish contentions , > which maty revive the War .

      March 15, 185-6.] Tjeljb Leader. _ 255

      March 15 , 185-6 . ] TJELJB LEADER . _ 255

      Webster To Alleyne. If The Very Just Pro...

      WEBSTER TO ALLEYNE . If the very just proposal supported by Mr . Wedster . ' s public meeting at , the Adelphi Theatre on Thursday be -adopted , the crowning . grace will be added to the reform of the Aixetoe charity . at Dulwich . It ia a good incident of a reform when it benefits many and hurts none . The inmates . of Dulwi < $ h ought to feel more comfortable than they had ever felt , in their , life . of the present generation . Something was impending over them . They had a oomfortable provision , a nice home , a handsome income , * nd they could ( dispense

      hospitality as -they did ; but it was mot all quite right . 'We can generally reconcile ourselves to a little theoretical wrong , when it is accompanied by a blazing fire , a handsome hearthrug , pleasairt furniture , a generous table , cheerful friends , and much moral approbation . The fellows are . good fellows—nobody wishes them ill , but everybody wishes that a little more should be done with the charity . It has become quite the custom in modern times for the . trustee of a . charity to . adopt the maxim

      that charily begins at home , and to experiS upon , his own worthy person soinething which he ought to . give ; to so many poor men or poor boys ; the "boys . gefcthig the mediaeval pence , the trustees the modern sovereigns . And certainly they did not carry the abuse so far at Dulwich as v they dia elsewhere . The present men are siot to "be "disturbed , ' but others are * to 'be -aSmifjfce & prospeetively , -and we do-not think i ; liat -the -fellows will object to their "future . company .

      Still less if the actors -are ^ admitted . The schools growing up will'be a pleasant sight ; the pensioners provided Tor in comfort will'be an object of satisfaction— -but riow agreeable to think Jfehat tlie foundation df an actor in William 'Shakspea . re ' s time wHl become the home of the poor actor' in Benja ^ eo * Webster ' s -time I Mr . Ghaeles Dickens has exorcised the phantom conjured up to -frighten us away from-the reform . We need not scruple to iadmit the actors into f the " AiiETNE i Charity '' on the

      score that Adleyse fbiinded-dt isn ^ abhorreiKce of a profession - in ^ which be had played the devil , and had -encountered / the real Satan on the ^ stage . It is mot rtrue -that Auletne playe'd the devil iat : « il , tsp ^ at-the story of his penitenceis dissipated . - He ; might not : specially designate , actors , " since his view was no doubt ? to-restore . to Society some of the benefits for ^ vhich ; he ,,. as a successful man , felt :, grateful . Actors naade . fortunes in ithose days and lived jovially "< in the ^ . pre sent day they . lose fortunes « and . live anxiously . It is

      in their very nature that they should not be provident , and live fey rule ; "but that they should cultivate the impulses , the utterances , so that they commonly ,-make very . pleasant company , but do not often make provision fox old ag e- Society owes a debt to Alleyne ,. having received from him more than he bargained for ; and it is only handsome to repay it to his fellow actors . The charity , then , wSll . make a provision . for poor . actors and actresses and their children ; and the actors and actresses will , as usual , make very pleasant companions .

      Webster To Alleyne. If The Very Just Pro...

      A Stormy War . aud JPeaob 'Mbemno .-tA -meeting to diaouea the * propiriety of thei present war , which ..-was lately held . at Holinnrtih , terminated , in a downright pitched battle between the disputants , which Was in itself terminated by the extinguishing of the lights . 4 Straha-Nj Paul , and Bates . —Another examination into the affairs of . these / bankrupts took , plaoe in the Bankruptcy Court on . Tuesday , when the three partners were brought up in custody , but permitted to remain in an adjoining court until 'Sir J . D . Pattl waa called > upon- .. to gyveievideuoo regarding * he

      marriage , settlement of his relative , Mrs . JFitzgerald . The bankrupt . was neatly dressed , but had a very careworn and heairtbroken look . A proof-was tendered , on behalf of the trustees of Mrs . Fitzgerald foivaswn of , £ 17 , 000 . The , proof had been admitted « g « iusfcihe joint estate , and it waa now sought to , be made on the Hepfwafco estate of ^ Ir . Strahan . v Mr . Strahftn booapae tvustoe of the marriage settlement on . the death of Lord Alyanley . Sinco * he laat meeting the separate balwaco-Bheots have fceon filed . The « o were rend in coui'lfc . The bankrupts then paaadd th ^ Ur final examination .

      JPlxus at Mkbsub . Soott BtiBSBl . l . 'e . —^ Another ' fire broke , out o , n the , premises of : Hobbvb . Soott ! RuBBell aud Co ., the ahijpbuildera of WCOlwall , Poplar , dpv We . dties ( li » y afternoon . :. Tho jftre waa not extinguish , ^ uatil the milla , the . machinery , £ Ue . joiners * ' hou 80 f » , and . pl ^ uipgi shops wor © . deafcroya ^ , « nd bfoo . contotttg , with the e ^ cepption << f , a w » wl . portion , conavwa « a TheloBH is jneQoBHftfily very , heavy , ; t » o-miv 6 b | ui . © yy wi ] il 4 « Ipfle , QQ 8 t ao » ioiho . uawxd ^ Bowxds to repair .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), March 15, 1856, page 15, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_15031856/page/15/