The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-02-24
ABD-EL-KADE


and his untirirg activity, he has made the
possession of Algiers the heaviest burden the
French nation has borne for the last fifteen
years. He ha. compelled them 10 maintain
in Africa an army Of 100, 900 men-a force G.
quail to The whole British peace-e establishment
for service at home, and for her immense CO.
Iouial possessions. He has in fact defed,
and thus far successfully, the whole power Of
the French empire. We recollect no pardl-
lei 10 il, except in the instance OF Mithri-
dates, who with forces equally disproporton-
ate, resisted for series Of years the whole
Roman empire when at his height. His sway
is stated 10 be mainly Of a religious nature,
and to rest on that deep fanaticism which has
ever disting uished the Arab race. He is said
TO have acquired. under an eminent teacher,
a knowledge Of law, religion, geography and
astronomy. At fifteen years of age, he was
committed to a celebrated professor at Gran,
who taught him political science. But what
most drew 10 him the veneraiion Of the Arabs,
was his deep devotion. From his youth,
d-e-Kader would seem TO have been al
ways absorbed in profound meditation. He
took no part in the pleasures of his compan-
lens. He seldom opened his lips, and when
he spoke, it was 10 inter sentence from the
prophet. His eyes fixed on the ground, fin
gering the beads of chaplet, always self
possessed, thoughtful. and collected, be soon
acquired the reputation of saint.
The ceuntenance Of Add lei Kader is pale.
and his grave features resemble those Of
monk of the dark ages. His look is mild.
expressive and penetrating. Ills hearing is
dignifed. All is marked by that imposing
gravity which exerts so much influence over
uncivilzed nations.
Even before the arrival of the French in
Algiers. his authority had excited The distFast
of the Turkish government. He was impris-
oned with his father at Oran, but was releas-
ed after no long confinement. His father and
himself made pilgrimage to Mecca, always
title of veneration among the Arabs, and
This feeling was furiherincreased by preten-
ded vision Of the father foreshadowing the
glories of the sou. This fable, absurd as il
was, was believed BY the Arabs. Add ell Ka-
der, always silent, addicted to the study and
to the practice ofreligious austeriries, became
the object of universal respect. Every day
crowd Of pilgrims gathered round his tent and
rejoced at the privilege of seeing him at his
prayers.
Such was the state OF things when the
French soldiers arrived IN Africa. They
heard for tie first time il 1882 the name Of
Add elKsder, when they were all al once al
tackled at Oran by hcrdes q! fsnaiical natives,
who faced death without the least hesitation.
These unhappy men fell by hsndreds before
the gates of the city, having been excited 10
madness by their young chief, Add Tx adler.
He himself displayed also in this instance
the utmost valor. His horse was killed I'M
der him, and his bloody urban is preserved
as a sacred relic.
After this expedition, Abd-ei- RAIDER was
formally chosen Sulfan Of The arabs. the 25th
September. 1882. Some chiefs of inferior
order, probably at his suggestion testified
that Mahomet had directly commanded them
TO choose him TO drive out the French. All
the ceremonies of religion we're employed to
increase the pomp Of this election. The A
rabs are firmly persuaded that the appoiu:
m-nt Of Ahd-el-Kader is the work of their
prophet, and that old Muley comes every day
to visit him in his tent.
When the Arab chief had disposed every
thing for war, he rallied his troops and march
ed against US with great infrepidity. | will
not mention the particulars Of this war, hich
has lasted several years, and still continues.
France sends to it her most illusirious gener-
ais, her best soldiers, her bravest officers, her
ampest military supplies. Eighty Thousand
men have spent upon the African soil, and
sum of hundred millions of francs has been
from the Treasury. The French
bartalions have performed rrodieics of valor
but Add el-Kader does not abandon wholly
his enterprise. When he is TOO holly pressed
by our troops. he fees into the desert, or the
rugged mountains, or to the empire of Mo-
apI hos k,.. 4 taI
uiatior, he repairs his losses by calling around
him new fanatics. So that all is 10 be done
again.
Last year. his affairs seemed to be desper-
ale. The chiefs who had fought for him |
were killed, or fled The Arabs were almost
all subjected TO our rule. ADD ell Kader |
hunted from city to city, from mountain to
must have believed that all was O.
yer with him,
His perseverance and resources under de-
eat remind us again Of Mithridates. who Of |
en- rose the greater from overwhelming ca
antilles.
Abd-el-Kader has sent among the Mahom-
'tan tribes priests to revive all The old hatreds
against the French. An unhappy circun.
tance has aggravated their fury. You have
doubtless read in the journals of the horrible
massacre Of Ddhra. Our soldiers burnt and
'utchered without pity in cave several
hundred Arabs. men, women, and children.
4orrible atrocity! which has degraded the
french army to level with barbarians -
Never were the rights of humanity so basey
utrasedl When the news Of this massacre
vas known among the Mussulmen, it excl
ed everywhere shudder of horror, and a
ny Of vengeance. bd-el-Kadef pro6ted by
to recruit thousands Of soldiers, and already
host of Frenchman have expiated the crime
ommitted by their cruel officers. Blood
alls for blood, and Providence ordains that
atoms shall atone for crimes committed in
lei- name.
His highest eulogy as soldier, is the ener-
leus force which the French are compelled
} emplo, against him. c
Marshal Bugeaud has returned to Aleiers.
lie Is now at the head of ninety thousand I
zen. Napoleon had not so numerous an ar '
y when he fought against the Austrans in G
ally.
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On RUM-THoU HAST Much TO ANSWER !
N Tho e. .o-o -. C. |