Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-12-12

inconvenience which. PROVIDENCE Sccihs !"
have placed in our way as an excitement 20
industry, is, in the belief Of Turk, an imp
Gus interference with the DEGREES OF the Al
mighty. Thus, although tie Mahometan reli-
cion canrot be held sufficient 10 account Tor
the persevering ignorance OF the Turks, yet II
must be allowed 10 make them contcnted with
their inferority, and proud ct their shame.
On the contrary; when Mahomels, BsJaze is,
se,ims, and Amuraths, only succeeded each
other in the race for extending their domin-
ions.-in those early times Of Turkish energy |
and conquest, the religion of Mahomet had
prodigious influence. "Itwas well adapted TO
unite the wandering Aiabs Of the desert, and
to form any nation which should adopt 1t into
military community, more formidable for
attack than Sparta, and, in some respects, as
well adapted as Rome herself for the conquest
of the world He recommended to his follow
ers integrity and justice towards each other, as
the frmest bonds by which men could be knit
ted in society He imposed upon them such
priyations as were most necessary tor the dls-
cipline of ali army; forbidding wine, as subver-
sive Of all orde: and intoxicating cleanliness,
the better to preserve the health Of his camp.
He taught his soldiers 10 pray together, that
they might be animated by one spirit; and to
fsst, that they might bear the inevitable hard
ships OF war. He denounced deser,ion from
his army as one of the gravest and most dead
" Of sins. He promised the crown OF martyr.
dom to those who died i'll defending his divine
mission, and he invented sensual paradise oil
ripe fruit, verdant meadows, fresh water, and
fine women, where his soldiers were destined
10 enjoy eternal bliss in recompense for their
earthly fatigues. Before the battle the Turks
ish commanders made circuit Of their troops,
holding forth the prospect OF everlasting hap,
pine SIS 10 those who should die in the cause oil
the true faith, and the assurance OF protection
from above to the armies which fought IN be-
half of the Koran. The soldiers repeated to
one another before the action-"Either the
glory of victory or the. crown Of martYrdom.
They believed tina, legions Of angels lowered
over their camp, and directed their weapons TO
the hearts Of their enemies; even Mahomei
himself, at the head Of all tie hosts OF heaven,
was supposed often 10 assist in person the
combatants who fought for the propagation OF
his faith. Hence they were armed with lnvInc-
IDLE resolution and heroic couraSe hence they
ACQUIRED that unaninity which was seldom
found in the ranks Of their enemies; hence they
were never daun,ed by defeat or stated by victo-
nv. The institutions OF the turks
were we'll con,rived for maintaining military
spirit among them" All musslemen were
soldiers in the eye Of The law; and their I'M
mense acquisitions Of territory made reward
easy and liberal. Besides, "the estates granted
BY the sutans TO their soldiers were not here
Whenever vacancies happened, either
by death or forfeiture, the sultan had the pow
err of6lling them up by new appointments, and
it is said, thar the same landed estate has been
granted eight times in the course ofonc cam
paign The distinction of nobility, So great
feature Of the Gothic r.onarchies, was un"
known TO the Turks The meanest and poor
est among them might aspire 10 the highest
place, next 10 the sultan on the throne; there
could be no greater excitement to the valour OF
a conQuering army All their lnsti'
,u,ions par,ook Of tie military character;
spreading over lands s,i,l Inhabited by millions
Of different faith and race, they have ever con-
sidered themselves Us armed people, occu-
pying by right of conquest the territory they
acquired. This spirit is still every where per-
ceptble. The two chief judges in the empire
after the Muft are called Judges of the army;
and all have in their mouths 4 proverb that
they gained the country by the sword, and by
the sword they will maintain it,
We shall not follow the noble author very
seoulousy in his observations on the polite al
institutions OF Turkey, which are very generally
known. "The real principle Of the Turkish
government was military and religious en,hu-
siasm. The government itself, founded upon
this principle, was partly military and partly
religious; II was partly Of the nature of the
ocracy, aud partly wha, has been called erato
cracy, or government by an army, the distinct
powers and limits Of each have never been
defined, but in their history the Influence
Of both may be clearly traced" The mi-
litary part OF the government was the first; and
it was not ill the era of Selim l., "who conquer
ed Egypt and Syria, brought back TO his Capri
al the nominal Caliph Of the faithful, and ob.
tanned Fl ON him a cession Of his rights. He is
therefore styled Islam or pcnliff, as well as sui
Ian or lord. BY thus uniting the priesthood
with military command, the dynasty Of the
house Of Gilman acquired new title to the
reverence Of their subjects. His authority was
now complete"
Besides, "the hereditary succession Of the
house oil Gilman was connected by species
Of superstition with the fate Of The empire, and
formed the most inviolable principle Of The
Turkish government. But military people,