Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-11-21
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From the Baltimore American.
THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE.

At the present crisis, when the Ottoman power
is tottering perhaps to its final overthrow, Il may
be interesting to look back for a little while over
the history and career of a people who, from small
beginnings, succeeded gradually in possessing them
selves Of the finest portions of Asia and Europe,
and in building up a dominion the most extensive
that has arisen in the world since the downfall OF
the Roman Empire. The Turks, or I~urkomars,
are of Tartar origin, and came from the regions be-
yond Mount Taurus and Imaus. Like the rest OF
their race, they were a freebooting tribe, living on
plumber, and without any very permanent residence ;
but fierce, daring, and w~ar-like, beyond other tribes.
These qualities rendering them formidable, one OF
the caliphs, a descendant of the great Haroun Al
raschid, mentioned so often in the Arabian Nights,
employed a large body of Turks as his body-guard.
Like the Pr@torian bands of the Roman empire,
these life-guards of the caliphs began soon to
interfere in affairs of State; and, taking advantage
Of some discussions between two rival a%spiraSts TO
the caliphate, seized upon the government them
selves. Bagdad was taken by the Turks in 1865.
Before the close of the eleventh century we find
them on the borders of The Caspian sea. In pro-
cess of time. extending their conques,s daily, the
Turks became masters of the whole vast empire OF
both races of caliphs-the race Of Omar, and the
Abasside. descendants Of MahoInet. These ex-
tensive territories included Persia, Syria, Egypt,
and the northern portion of Africa, now known as
the Barbary States, together with the greater part
of Asia Minor; and in the reign OF Gilman, prepa-
rations were made to attack the Greek empire, OF
which Constantinople was the capitalize last
remaining fragment of that stupendous dominion
which the Roman power had built up through sue
siye ages. The threatened invasion was for a time
averted by means Of an alliance which John Canta-
cuzenus, the Greek Emperor, brought about be-
tween his daughter and young Orcan, the son OF
the Turkish Sultan. At length, under Bajazet, sur.
named the Thunderbolt, the Turks not only inva-
ded the empire, but laid siege to Constantinop!e it,
self, which was saved from an immediate fall by
the timely interpositiop Of Tamerlsne, the descend
ant of Ghengis-Khan. the founder of the great Tar
tar or Mogul empire in Asia. This prince, who
had already checked the course of the Turks In Sy-
ria and Persia, was urgenly solicited by the enemies
of Bsjazet to come to the relief of Constantinople
He hearkened to an invitation so ~f1atterins to his
proves, and, as q preliminary, sent a polite mes
sage to Bsjazet, requesting him to raise the siege
of Constantinople, and give up immediately all his
conqnests. This modest proposal being received
with the utmost scorn by the naughty Sultan. a bat
tie ensuei, in which the mighty army OF Bslazet
was routed, and he himself made prisoner. Some
histories say that the captive monarch was confined
in an iron cage, like a wild beast, and that he was
made to stand with his body bentto serve as a foot
stool when his insulting conquerer wished to mount
his horse.
The Turkish power, though checked, was not
much shaken by this blow. After the death OF La
merlane, their designs against the Greek empire
was renewed; and, after various interruptions from
the Poles, who we're then a powerful people, Con-
stant;nople was fully invested by the Turks under
Mahomet the Great. This was in l453. The
incident Greeks made few preparations tor defence
trusting 10 an immense barricade OF strong chains,
which blocked up the entry to the port, and pre-
vented all access TO the enemy's ships. The genius
of Mahomet very soon overcame this obstacle. he
laid a channel Of smooth planks for the length OF
six miles, and in one nights time he drew eIgthy
ealleys out of the water upon these planks ana
next morning to the utter establishment OF the be-
s;eped. an entire feet descended at once into The
bosom of their harbor. The city was taken by as
ssult. and with il fell the empile OF the Last, one
thousand one hundred and twentythree years from
tho time when Constantine removed the seat Oh 10
yernment from Rome to Constantinople.
Constantinople became the capital OF tne o..o-
man empire, which soon began to extend nsen ~
Europe. All Greece was theirs, the island Of
Rbodes fell into their hands, aud in a few yearsa al
forwards Moldavia, Walachia, and a great pafto OF
Hungary, were subdued by Solyman, surnamed tne
Magnificent. In 1871 Cyprus was taken from the
Venetinns ; and now the Christian nations OF Iu-
rome began 10 be filed with anxious spprehens,ons
of this formidable power. The Pope exerted MN
self to stop the further progress oil the innaeis'
who, carrying their religion on the point OF men
swords, made every place Mahometan when leh
under their away. A league was formed oy 'hs
Holy See with the Venetians and with fhinp IL. o'
Spain, then the most wealthy Sovereign IN EuI"Pe,,
A great naval armament was lifted out by the an'oa
Powers. under Don John of Austria, consisting oil
two hundred and fifty ships of war, beside 'sas.
ports. The Turks were not behind in force, ine
A aH- FaH o. HrN~ f~"