Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-11-03

dom.
Butths same cause to which the Turks
principally owed their original success
the intolerant bigotry and fanaticism OF
their reiigion--proved also the principal
cause of their decline. 1t insulated them
from the rest of Europe, and taught them
to look down with contempt and aversion
on the arts, the sciences, and the attain
ments of the infdel world. There Is"
to use their own words, "but one law, and
that law forbids all communication with
intidels."
Other causes have also contributed to
the decline of the power Of the Tui As.
The fiery and impetuous zeal of the orig
inal conquerors has long ago subs'ded;
the invention of gunpowder, and other
improvements in the system of modern
warfare, have opposed an invinc'ble OBJ
stacle to the success of multitudes with
out discipline, and courage without skill
That fanatic iervor, that contempt OF dan
ger, and that superiority of numbers. and
of bodily strength, which formerly gave
SO decided superiority to the Ottoman
arms, could not enable them to contend
with the science, the cool deliberate cour-
age. tho artillery and the tactics OF the
troops of Prince Eugene, snd Suwarrow
The Turks have degenerated both III their
civil and military institutions; but their
present weakness 10 to be ascribed more
to their not keeping pace with the prog
ress of their neighbors, than to their POSI-
tive decline.
Their ignorance, and the confidence in
the doctrine or predestinatioa, prevent
them from suspecting the source OF their
mteriority TO be in themselves: 1--WE etiec-
ted our conquests," said the Mutti to the
Baron de rott, ''withou, any aid from
European tactics, nor do we low stan! IN
need of them Our defeats are not the ef-
fects of human force; they are the chas-
tisements OF our crimes; the decree Of
heaven hath reached US, and nothing can
avert the wrath Of Omnipotence.'
The unlimited despotism oithe Sultans
may be assigned as another causc OF the
decline OF the Turkish empire The Sui
tan is at the head of both church and
state. He S regarded as The immediate
viceserent of God, or rather Of the Proph-
obedience to his command 10 inculcated as
primary religious duty.
For time, during the rise Of the Turk
ish power this extraordinary exalta ion of
the Sovereign was attended with no evil
consequences, The Sultans we're gener-
ais in war, and legislators in peace; they
Practised from necessity both the militia |
ry and peaceful, virtues. in order to inspire |
confidence and attachment in their SOL |
diery and subjects; from personal obser-
walton they were aole to bestow rewards
on those who deserved them; and the ne |
cessity OF supporting their own power, by |
the efficacy of the talents and at
tachments Of their officers was sure
pledge of ,,ucicious selection. But
when the title Of Turkish conquest |
was stopped, and the heirs of royalty, III
stead Of being educated in the coun.il or
in the field, were brought up in the sloth-
full luxury OF the Serago, their inclina-
tions were vilifed by their habits, and
their government grew as vicious. as cor |
rupt, and as worthless as themselves II.
: fluenced by private. and often base affec.
items, they committed the administration
to favorites without merit or experience. !
and the incapacity Of the head pervaded
and paralized the whole system of the
state.
! The extension Of its boundaries also has. !
tened The decline OF toe empire, by increa.
sing the nnobrr OF its enemies moi OF it,
SUBJECTS. Submission to the power of tie
Turks aver,ed indeed the stroke of death
hut nothing short OF embracing the religion
OF their prophet could ez,ricaie the van.
pushed from exOrton and slavery. " be
conquered people, it they obs,inateIy refused
the offer OF CONVERSION, became, together
with their possessions, then iniustry, and
their children, virtually the prop, rly OF their
masters Ihsr substance, says the law, is
as our substance, their eye q. our eye. their
life as our isfe in such state OF sui lection,
their claim to justice L. security as IL lie bet
Ter than an eWpty sound; and their lives and
fortunes were made suhservent TO the NJ.
ces:ties OF the State and the interests Of the
superior and privileged class. who s;rose. by
every means. however injurious and insul
ing 10 their feelings. 10 suppress, instead Of
exciting their energies, TO debIliiate their
minds to the level Of slavery, and 10 ensure
their submission to the forms Of gov ernmen nj
lIshed by themselves. TMr. Thorn
tons Present State Of Turkey, vol. ii p. 60,
All the officers of gvvernwsnt," says
the same accurate and well.informed writer,
owe their appointment to the sole favor OF
the Sultan, without respect 10 birth, talents
services, OF experience. They are deposed
or punished without the liberty Of complaint
OF femonstrance; and at their death the Sui
tan InherIts their properly. Governments of