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

10 the great men OF the empire; but their OH
snring were in the same manner suited al their
entrance into lie. With SO many legal and
customary murders, il seems extraordinary that
the imperial family should have Supplied per-
petual succession 10 the throne; But when the
reiening sultsa was minor, care was taken TO
conceal his brothers from his fatricide purpos-
es. We must Likewise consider that the Turk
ish sovereign, instead Of being limited like the
princes of the rest of Europe, 10 one wlfe,chos-
en- from few families already connected IN
blood, was unrestricted in the number, the rank,
the country Of his women, and that the son OF
any OF them might be declared heir 10 the en-
pire."
"In virtue Of his sacred character, the sultan
obtains large additional prerosatives II Is held
by Mahometan lawyers that he may kill tour
teen persons in one day without cause, and
without blame. Indeed, ii is esteemed an
honour TO die by his hand. the soul OF one
who is killed by the sultan hles immed. aleiy
10 heaven; and faithful ministers OF the Porte
have been sometimes known to court TINS
passport 10 paradise as The last reward OF Lille
Of laborious service.
"The Dey Of Algiers, however, admits the
spiritual and mol the civil supremacy Of the
sultan.
II is held that his will is suficeu! to oyerlurn
or sci aside, a, any moment, any law not esia-
bli she'd by the Koran, or which does not concern
religion: even this Limitation is only an opinion
of the lawyers. In religious affairs, however,
in spite Of their sacred character, the sutans
seem to have allowed much OF the real pow
er to escape them The Fstoa, or holy seal,
which was affixed by the caliphs to their
e fha IF q hl,I
in those of the Ulemas. When the sultan wish
grea, importance, he is obliged 70 have recourse
clerical aud legal body, denominated the U7e-
mas, consists of three different classes; the doc
tors Of law, the judges, and the ministers OF re-
lipion. Oflhese three, the ministers OF reli-
eion fo-"n the lowest class; their Office requires
the fewcst years Of study, and leads only 10 2la-
ces of inferior rank. Indeed, the mere duty OF
! performing divine service may be performed by
! q laynan; and pasha, or other grea, officer,
appoints any members of his household 10 The
Offices Of muezsia and imam, 10 call 10 prayers
and say Them when the people are assembled
In order 10 comprehend this infeliority Of the
priesthood, we must rccollect that the Koran
is not collection of doctrines and examples,
left 10 be inculcaled from the pulpit Of the
preachers i, is a code of laws directed 10 be ex-
rounded and explained from the bench Of the
Judge.
1t is not the recorded life and example of the
prophet, to be held up in the church by elo-
quence and learning;it is his direct command,
esteemed indeed 10 be the direct command OF
God, and ordered to be enforced by temporal
punishment. Hence the highest rank in theo-
logy is the highest rank in law: the multi Is
called at the same time-sheik islam, or prelae
of orthodoxy, and frtva sahibi, or giver Of judg.
meu,s. The doctors oflaw go through long
err study than the cadhis or Judges; their cons
mentaries or expositions are the most au!hen-
tic explanation of the Koran, and theirs seems
20 be the highest civil rank in Turkey. They
may marry, and their property descends from
a,her 10 son, without the risk Of confication
Their persons are free from injury; at leas, it
I is general belief ins Turkey that their blood
cannot be shed,-ahd The horrid punishment Of
pounding in mortar, if not altogether fabu-
lous, was hardly evur reSortcd 10. Their sons
are always preferred for admission into the u
lemas, aud this body thhs forms species Of a.
rstocracy Of solidiy apparently sufficient 10 re-
sst the will of the SULTAN. The privilege Of
affixing The holy seal has therefore been COM
pared TO that of the french parliamen, in re-
ristering the edicts OF the Bourbon kings. II
is true, indeed, that, invested with sanctity,
| temporal authority, end hereditary wealth, ;he
Ulemas appear to have all the elements Of solid
power: but in practice this power has seldom
been found to avail them against The will OF the
sultan. Re may exile, imprison, or displace
them; the multi himself may be removed by
nod; and this Mahometan hierarchy and senate
have seldom been able 10 resist the terrors Of
the crown. When they have, il has been only
when they have called 10 their aid some favor
lite maxim of Mahometan superstition: hence
their power has been Of little real benefit to the
Turkish, Of none 10 the Christian or Jewish
subjects Of the Porte. 1t is said, however, that
in modern times the dread of The Ulemas has
often prevented the sultan from leaving Con-
s;an,inople, at times when he wished TO put
himself at the head Of his army"
The singular check upon despotic power
which is vested in the mob of Conslantinople,
! at fires, &c. we have noticed in our review Of
Captain Jones's Travels; and have now little
more 10 do than to quote some Of the authors
details on The administration Of justice.