Phenix Gazette

From the Democratic Press.
TO THE PUBLIC.
The following letter received by yesterday's mail, is most respectfully and earnestly recommended to the serious attention of the citizens of Philadelphia, and of the United States at large; in the hope--pray heaven it may not be vain--of awaking the slumbering sympathies of this great and rising empire in favour of one of the most interesting nations that ever existed--a nation whose struggle for every thing dear and sacred to human nature, under almost every possible disadvantage, has never been exceeded, and but rarely equalled, for the most inflexible devotion to country, and the most heroic valour. The annals of the world, since ruthless warfare began to devour the human race, present nothing of patriotism and bravery more honourable to our nature than the defence of Missolonghi. Had the smallest nation in Europe zealously espoused their cause, with two or three large frigates or vessels of the line they would have triumphed long since, established their independence on a firm foundation, and taken their rank among the nations of the earth. But while the liberal and enlightened people of Europe were most decidedly friendly to their cause, and pouring out ardent prayers to heaven for their success, the governments of that quarter of the globe, either looked on with frigid indifference or malignant jealousy, or covertly aided their ferocious oppressors-- The powder mills of Europe are employed in manufacturing powder--the foundries in casting cannon--and the ship yards in building vessels of war, for the purpose of aiding in the extermination of this brave nation. And finally, to cap the climax of dishonour and disgrace, the armies of the Turks are officered, and their fleets manœuvred, by base and recreant Christians!
We raise annually, thousands, and tens of thousands of dollars, to support missionaries to convert Hindoos, Chinese, Burmese, and Japanese to Christianity, with problematical success, and at an enormous expense per man, when successful. Would it not be meritorious to direct this zeal into another channel for a year or two, and let its overflowings be devoted to interpose a shield for the preservation of the Greeks from impending destruction? Should the effort prove successful, we might rescue more worshippers of Christ from the scymitars of the infuriated Turks in one year, than all the converts to christianity that have been made in a century by all the missionaries of Europe and America, and at the tithe of a tithe of the expense.
Let me appeal in the most fervent language --would to heaven I could find language adequate--to touch the hearts and excite the feelings of American mothers, American wives, & American sisters, to excite their benign and powerful influence--an influence, which, in such a holy cause, would be irresistible--so as to arouse their sons, their husbands, and their brothers to efforts in support of this oppressed famishing, and desponding nation. Efforts, thus excited, might, in a blessed hour, turn the scale in their favor, to the utter discomfiture of their detestable oppressors. Let the struggling Greeks be exhilarated by seeing that their wrongs are deeply felt, and that efficient succour is afforded them, by fellow christians at a distance of 5000 miles. This would nerve their arms, and whet their swords, so as probably to secure their final emancipation.
Let the American fair be stimulated to zealous efforts in this noble cause, by reflection on the hideous fate that awaits their sex in the disastrous event of the final subjugation of a nation, ennobled by the names of a Solon, a Plato a Socrates, an Aristides, a Phocion, an Epaminondas, a Leonidas, a nation which, with a sound form of government, would probably rise to a level with their glorious and immortal ancestors. It is not poverty--it is not exile--it is not imprisonment, that awaits the helpless sex, in the calamitous downfall of their country. Incomparably worse will be their destiny The mind stands aghast at the mere contemplation of the scenes that will follow, over the details of which I draw a veil and shall but slightly portray the great outlines, leaving the imagination to complete the horrible picture.
After seeing their fathers, brothers and husbands butchered before their eyes, or sold to a slavery worse than death--highminded, elegant females, framed in nature's finest mould, and calculated for the brightest ornaments of society, will be delivered over to the brutality of a licentious and infuriate soldiery--or sold into the harems of stupid, sensual Turks, many of whom believe that women have no souls, and were solely formed to minister to the passions of man. No female, possessed of the tender and sympathising feelings that do honour to the sex, can contemplate such hideous scenes without a holy abhorrence, and a determination to leave nothing within her power undone to contribute towards averting such an execrable catastrophe.
May the living God inspire them with zeal--prosper their efforts--and shower his choicest blessings on them in recompense.
M. C.
Philadelphia Dec. 11, 1826.