Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 11th June 1853, Edition 1 of 1, Page 559, Untitled Article

Page 559
Page 7
7 of 24

On this page

  • Text (4)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      Turkey being seized and stormed . in the very teeth of the British and French fleets—in the very teeth of France and England ? , The position . of matters is perplexed enough , you perceive : what wonder that all this week public attention has been exclusively bent upon ^ this Eastern question ? There , are those who see a . ' . general ' revolutionary" war looming in the distance ; but the existence of Turkey in the face of the overweening pretensions and insatiable lust of domination of Nicholas , is the first question to , be settled , and without delay .

      In home affairs , indeed , there has been little or no movement of late . A few arrests of working men , but- those only a parcel' of foolish brawlers and blusterers . A certain agitation in the provinces on the occasion of the procession of the Corpus Christi { Fete Dien ) is noticeable . For the first time since I don't know when , these processions have been allowed to parade the towns : the National Guard and the Government functionaries were summoned to attend ; but in many places both the functionaries and the National Guards refused to answer to the call . Thereupon the Prefects and Sub-Prefeets would fain have made some examples , and they only succeeded in rousing the bitterest discontent .

      St . Arnaud , who has become quite a devot , had issued an invitation to the troops to escort the processions . Several of the generals , in communicating this invitation to their divisions , added these words : " It is well understood that this is only an invitation , and that every man xnay do as he pleases . " The National Guard of Paris itself has a serious cause for disaffection : it had been reduced to 15 , 000 men ; and its only duty . consisted in keeping guard at the Mairies of the First , Second , Fourth , and Tenth Ar-Tondissements : this sole service has been withdrawn

      from them , and entrusted to the troops of the line . These 15 , 000 men , nevertheless , had been sifted and purged with care enough . And now we find the mling powers distrusting even them : first depriving them of their sole remaining duty , to have a pretext for taking the arms out of their hands before many days . Why , even the Dames de la Halle ( Jish-marJcet women ) are disaffected ! You know that lor the last ten years there has been a scheme afloat for centralizing and combining all the markets into one vast Halle , which was to embrace the vast space included between

      the Rue St . Honore , St . Eustache , the . Halle au Ble ( corn market ) and the Rue St . Denis . This design has been put in execution ; but as we are vegetating under a Government which distrusts the population , Bonaparte has appropriated the project to his own peculiar convenience . There were to be eight pavilions distributed over the circumference , with a grand central pavilion—the whole to represent a skittle ground ( tinjeu de quilles ) . Of these nine pavilions , Bonaparte lms taken it into his head to raako so many fortresses—nine biistilles , shot proof . The central fort , which wags begin to call the Fort de la JIalle , * was first commenced : it was not long before the tournure it w ; ss taking was mado

      out ; and when the ladies of the market saw a fortress frowning over their domain , they soon began to vent their indignation in their own choice style . A few days hi nee , Bonaparte paid a visit to tlio Hallo to inspect the works in progress . The " ladies" no sooner caught sight of him than they mobbed him , and got up iv sort ofemcute ; nor would they let him go until ho had promised to change the design of the other pavilions . It is . said that he has given counter orders to this effect ; but I doubt whether ho will sacrifice himself so cheaply . As to the Fort de- la Halle , it is , in fact , in course of completion . Jt will soon be in a thorough state of defence . S .

      Untitled Article

      CONTINENTAL NOTES . Till ! crisis in I he Turkish question in still ( ho pivot , of . "European politics , us tho solution becomes daily more imipinont . Tlio following note was tlio last , misnivo from Prince MenHchikoff to tho Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairo , before his Until departure for Constantinople . It , discloses ( nays tho ' Daily News ) moro clearly than any preceding Kussian document the dangerous diameter of the protectorate claimed Ity the Czar over the Christian millions of Turkey . It will be Keen that Kussia claims to regulate the inunicipnl inal-itutioiia a . s well as secure the religious influence- of Turkey .

      Tiujiikderi , May 21 . , At tho moment of departure from ( Jou . stuiilinoplo tho undersigned ambassador of ilunnia has learned that tlio ( Sublime Porto manifested i ( H intention to proclaim a guarantee for the exercise of the spiritual rights vented in the clergy of the EaHlern church , which in fact rondors doubtful the maintenance of tlio other privileges which that church onjoyH . Whatever may be tho motive of this determination , ' the undersigned in under the necessity of informing his Hig hness the Minister of Foreign Allaire that a declaration or any other act which , although it may preserve the integrity of the purely spiritual rights of the

      orthodox Eastern church , tends to invalidate the other rights , privileges , and immunities , accorded to her religion , and clergy from , tho most ancient times , and . which they enjoy at the , present moment ; , ' shall be considered by the Imperial cabinet as an act of . hostility to Russia and to her religion . The undersigned begs , &c . ' . ' - ( Signed ) Menschikoff . His Highness Eescliid Pacha , Minister of Foreign Affeirs . ' ., . . . , , .. According to this note , to . give but one illustration , the Czar would deny the .. right of the Sultan to assimilate the administration of the law throughout his dominions , carry the equality of Christian and Turk into the civil jurisdiction of the empire , and make tho Osmanlis and Rayahs amenable to one tribunal , except on condition that such

      tribunal should have a Greek priest for its president , as the Christian courts have now . It is unnecessary to remark , that Prince Menschikoff knew very well , when he presented his note , that the Porte was' not about to issue any declaration invalidating the secular rights , privileges , and immunities of the Eastern church . On the contrary , be feared that the liberal firman about to be issued by the Sultan would satisfy the desires of the Christian population , and so deal a fearful blow at the influence of Russia . It is now patent to all that the privileges of-the Greek and Sclavonic races of Turkey are of no account in the eyes of the Czar except as they furnish him with a pretext for stealing the prerogative of a crowned neighbour . How a firman guaranteeing the spiritual rights of the Greek clergy can be " an act of hostility to Russia and her religion" it is indeed hard to conceive .

      The Greek Patriarch of Constantinople and his bishops have issued and forwarded to the Grand Vizier a paper , in which they declare that they are not dissatisfied with their privileges , and desire to owe them , to tlie justice and magnanimity of the Sultan . Th , e French papers state that complimentary visits of leave taking were exchanged between M . de la Cour and Prince Menschikoff , but that Lord Stratford de Redcliffe , who had had high words with the Hussian plenipotentiary in a recent interview , had stood aloof from any subsequent intercourse of an unofficial nature—a circumstance much remarked at Constantinople .

      . Among other . preparations for war , although all hope of an arrangement by negotiation was not wholly abandoned , we read of the fortresses at the mouth of the Black Sea being repaired : of the . concentration of troops in the Turkish capital ; o £ tl » e expected arrival of Oiner Pacha from Salomca , wijrBtBT a steamer had been despatched to fetch him . '*• . > :. ¦ On the 26 th ulfc . y ! Sr . oVOzeroff took his departure with the rest of the diplomatic personnel . A steamer was to be in constant readiness to embark tho Chancellor ( who was left to manage commercial affairs ) and his employe ' s , in case of the declaration of war .

      The greatest enthusiasm was displayed by all classes of the population in . behalf of the Sultan , without distinction of creed ; and Constantinople remained perfectly tranquil . The Metropolitan of Moldavia has sent in bis adhesion to the protest of tho Patriarch of Constantinople against the Russian Protectorate . * The Turkish fleet , commanded by Achmct Paslia , returned to port on the 21 st ult .: the Egyptian squadron was expected , having on board 25 , 000 troops . It was reported that Halil Pacha , brother-in-law of the Sultan , was to go to St . Petersburg on a special mission . M . de Bruck , tho Austrian Ambassador to Turkey , lias proceeded to his post in the steam frigate Xa Custozza . General A ^ on Graeben has been summoned to Berlin . It was reported that lie would bo sent to St . Petersburg with offers of Prussian mediation in tho Turkish dispute .

      Tho Orders to Admiral Pundas to proceed to tlio Dardanelles were forwarded from Marseilles by the Caradoc steamer , on the 4 th inst . On the same day , the French steamer Chctptal took similar orders to Admiral Lassusse , in tho Hay of Salamitt . The Monitcur of yesterday announces that the French and English ambassadors at Constantinople are provided with instructions and powers which put at their disposal tlio squadrons of both nations , ami that the Governments of France and England have decided , besides , that their united squadrons should , without any more delay , approach tho Dardanelles . Orders left Toulon and Marseilles , on the 4 th of this month , by the Chapt . al and Curador , for Admirals De la Susse and Dmulas . This measure of precaution does not exclude tho hope of a pacific settlement of the actual difficulties .

      Tho following despatch comes from Trieste , June f > . — " The Imperial Internuncio , Baron Bruck , has just now embarked on board tho war . steamer , (' ii . nt . ozza , for (! on-Htantinoplo . "

      Untitled Article

      * Tho portoru of tho market uro culled les Forts do la Hallo .

      Untitled Article

      Tn our next ; number wo shall give , ¦ . cxtonso , a translation of the testament of I ' eter the Great to liin successors , embodying a complete nebemo of the future poliev ol Russia " , whose destiny ho pronounced to be the domination of Europe . This curious and authentic document lias been published as a picro de c . irconstance by the French journal , I ' tii ' . I ' rcssc . It in equally curious and important to remark how unswervingly the policy indicated l > y I ' eter the CJreat has been pursued by the arms or the diplomacy of his descendants . Tho possession of Constnntinople by force or fraud is but a hull / on that devouring inarch , which is lo bo Hated with nothing less than tho annexation of . Europe . The young Due < le Brabant luu * made bin maiden speech ' in tho Senate since his return from Vienna . The occasion w « h the . bill for tho ineronso' of the nriny . The Grown Prince ' s speech in favour of the bill wun eminently patriotic , and was received with unanimous applause . The bill was carried by a considerable majority . Tho monthly Ilerord of tho Koeioty of tho Friends of Italy , published this day , contains the following survey of the actual ntafe and prospects of Kurono , and moro especially of Italy , which our roudora will bo interested in

      reading , as it emanates from the very , highest authority on the patriot side : — , , " . . ' . ¦ " The horizon is darkening . ' Russia threatens Constantinople ; Austria Switzerland . We feel inclined to believe that the unavoidable crisis will still be for : a little while postponed . Russia safely , progressing , through , the weakness of Turkey and of European statesmen , towards her aim of two centuries , has no cause to hurry ; tho only motive which could prompt her to decisive action'is the emancipation which is gradually taking' place from her

      overruling influence of the Greek , element ; an important element , in our opinion , for tho future , but hitherto overlooked , neglected by all European governments . Austria cannot rationally allow herself to be . led into a war ; it would-be her overthrow . Austria has no finances , no cohesion of elements , no army equal to a war . Sho has ventured ; upon a series of iniquitous aggressions against Switzerland , trusting the meek subserviency and the inconceivable timidity of the Swiss Federal Government ; . As soon as Switzerland awakens , she will most likely recoil ; she will remember that behind her is Iraly .

      " Nearly four months have elapsed since the Milan attempt ; and we are now enabled to stato as a fact what we then foresaw . Not only the failure Las not unfavourably affected the general condition of the Italian National Party , but it has rather communicated an additional degree of vitality to it . We state this as the most undeniable proof of the point which the national feeling has reached in Italy . One degree less of ripeness might have mado the failure , unintelligible to the mass , consequently misjudged , and fatal to the party and its leader . But there

      are two stages in the life of a rising nation : tho first , the educational stage of martyrdom , when the national thought has not yet reached the masses , makes of every failure a fatal event , spreading discouragement and scepticism concerning the strength and the futuro vitality of the party ; the second , the stage of struggle and victory , when tho worshippers of the thought are millions , bails any bold attempt , failing or not , as an incident in the battle , as a proof that enthusiasm , is living in the hearts of the soldiers of the cause , as a fresh summons to dare . Since 18-18 aud 1849 , Italy has entered this second stage .

      " We have been carefully examining during the last few months , as far as we could , the movement of the elements constituting the vital part of the nation . They are more stirring than before the 6 tli of February . The reactionary Piedmontese Press has been declaring- every day that Mazzini and the party were a dead thing ; but the very fact of declaring it every other day is evidence of the reverse . A pamphlet , jilcunc Im agine di Giuseppe RTazzini , was being printed in Genoa , in accordance with all tho rules of law ; it is a calm self-defence against all the foul accusations which have circulated , during two months , against Mazzini , through the organs of the monarchical party ; an appeal to fair play . It has been illegally seized before publication , the printer has been arrested , and many houses unsuccessfully searched . All tho most distinguished lawyers of G ^ Soa hav e united in a collective protest against the illegality of the seizure . Mazzini

      wrote an article himself against the refusal of fair-play to him in his own country ; it was seized again in the Italia c Popolo of Genoa ; but next day , Brofterio , a member of the Sardinian Parliament , reproduced it at Turin , in the Voce della Liberia . Tho pamphlet is widely circulating in Italy , and a second popular edition is in preparation . A second very short pamphlet by Mazzini , II 1 ' artito d'Azione , lias been immediately reprinted in Genoa , at Geneva , and by the clandestine press in Rome . Tlio 1 ' artito d'Azitmc embodies the actual views of the most energetic section of tho National Parly . The hour for action , it declares , has arrived . The masses of the people , in towns especially , are ready for it . On the other side , persecution strikes as well the Italian who reads a publication of tho clandestine proas , as one who bears witness ; for his faith by an armed protest . Armed protests , are , therefore , to be preferred ami resorted to wherever and whenever possible . Action begets action .

      " Tlio innumerable volcanic craters with which Italy is everywhere covered , want merely tho eleelrie spark to be universally inflamed . In such a stale of things war is an open question . It . belongs to every nucleus of men who think it right to protest , to choose their time and place and act . It is an ordre tin jour of national insurrection given to all those who suffer and will not tamely submit ; an appeal from tyranny to God and to the people , to bo initiated by a series of local actions , which would , if bravely kept up , end in producing a general conllagration . Of the plan itself it . is not ours here to speak ; but . when such appeals , coming from a political parly immediately niter a failure , are hailed by numbers , reprinted , extensively circulated , and likely to be in a more or less important manner , responded to , the country is ripe . The future , sooner than wo can foresee or imagine , may furnish the occasion . "

      Untitled Article

      AMERICAN NOTES . Tiru following is a complete list of the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the new cabinet : — To Great IJritain— . James Hitcliaiiuu , of Pa ; Secretary of Legation-- John Appleton , of Maine . To Spain - —Pierre Soule , of Louis ' uuin . To lttissia Thomas I [ . Seymour , of Connecticut . To Mexico ¦ Jus . Gadsden , of S . G . ; Secretary ol" Legation John Crips , of

      California . To Prussia I ' eter I ) . Vrooin , ol Now Jersey . To Central America—Solon Hopiind , of Ark ; Secretary of . Legation—Frederick A . Helier , of Pennsylvania . To Brazil—Win . Trousdnlo , of Tenn . To Chili—Samuel Mednry , Ohio . To Peru-John K . Clay , lute Chared d'AHiiires in Peru , and formerly Secretary of Legation in Russia and Austria . Minister Resident , in Switzerland—Theodore S . Fny , long Secretary of Legation i . t lieilin . A noticeable change ia being lnndo in the

      constitu-June 11 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . , 559

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), June 11, 1853, page 559, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1990/page/7/