"TO Opettator," Alartb 21tb, IS32.
THE TRUE EGYPTIAN QUESTION
The dispute between the Sultan and the Viceroy of Egypt threatens to complicate many interests; and the diplomatists are up in arms to defend, severally, the rights of the Sultan, of the Viceroy, the interests of France, of England, the European interests in the balance of power, the settlement of territory, or the overland route which brings Indian interests into the field. But one interest seems to be forgotten—the Egyptian people.
The new Pacha is praised for his intelligence. He inherits the credit which, down to his very death, Mehemet All unduly obtained, for contemplating a railway, and otherwise subserving " progress." Progress for aliens whom he did not understand, for merchants at Cairo, and his own dynastic power ! But what was the progress of the people ? One towards extinction . . .
Now to us, the upholding of the overland route is valuable for the mercantile interests of Englan4 and India, but also, and perhaps chiefly, for the fact that it drives a great highway, with the full gas-light of civilisation, through that corner of benighted Africa—that region of a murdered-people; and we all know that murder slinks away frorrttodem highways and light. We are glad to see the miserable Egyptians gradually acquiring the protection derived from the presence of passengers and bystanders. And perhaps it might not be amiss if the agents of civilised powers were to inquire into the wishes of Nose deserted wretches, nay, to let them know that such an inquiry existed. It Might reintroduce hope into the region of the Nile, and might produce some singular political effect.
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