The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-19
rules over fifty millions Of souls with absolute

rules over fifty millions Of souls with absolute
sway.
Abdul Medjid being supreme head of all tempo
raj and spiritual affairs subject to the desires of the
nation al large only, he is now carrying the Otto
man empire Through the Lutheran epoch of her
history. The transition state that marked Europe
at the time of the reformation, has just commenced
in Turkey new order OF ideas has set in upon
ancient customs. Old religious customs have been
abolished as unsuited to the age and to the digni-
fed character of man. An edict has passed, for
bidding any more eunuchs-al religions enjoy
equal privileges--the inhabitants are subjected to
fewer mpositons than formerly-and the desire of
the Sultan is TO establish education broad and
liberal basis. The spirit of liberty has pierced the
whole empire, and is slowly but surely working
out results which win place Turkey in very
proud position. The petty intngues of European
powers may seek to disturb the wise and judcious
reforms which the present liberal Sultan is carry
ing forward with all possible efficiency; but the
designs of Russia and England to sabvert and alb
.orb the territory of the Ottoman, cannot prevail.
Interested scribblers may seek, by misrepresenta-
tons, TO give false picture Of the improvements
set in motion by the present Sultan; but they can
abridge the truth of its beautiful proportions.
His Imperial Highness has determined to grant to
all the inhabitants full security of life, honor, and
property, and though he is beset with pachas,
beys, beglerbeys, and mohassils, who do not
implicitly heed the wise and wholesome de-
crees which he has made for the good government
of the empire, yet il cannot be doubted that in
time he will achieve the great work of his am5i-
ton II is easy task to eradicate error, and to
bring about, out of corrupt chaos, brilliant order
of new things; but the approach to il has been made,
and the epoch of the Turkish reformation, in reali-
ty, hiss commenced. II is, perhaps, true that there
may be Swartwouts and Hintons in the realms of
the Sultan /: but we do noI, on that account, des-
pair of prosperous future for the empire Ger
tany should deem the desire of the Wall
street Journal already noticed the very worst that
could happen to Turkey. Once permit the Russian
power to have unrestrained passage TO the Mediter
rsnesn, and give Turkey in Asia TO the convulsive
grasp of Great Britain, and the world would be hur
ried into a series of disasters Of the most deplora-
bic character.
We have urged, and still urge, the cultivation of
closer commercial relations with Turkey. The
ships Of Austria, Russia, Greece, and England, are
much more numerous in the various ports of the
empire, than those of the United States. The Br-
fish vessels as five TO one against us This
should not he. Tbs trade can be extended so es to
be mutually advantageous and it is TO be hoped
that the government at Washington, independent
of all political consideration, snd apart from the de-
sire TO secure the future peace of the Turkish EN-
pre against certain contemplated attacks, will make
such treaties and open such relations as will be a
benefit TO and to the world at large. Meanwhile,
the commercial broad-sheets of Wall street may
setk TO find some of their mercantile advertising
friends, who are willing, like them, TO see Euro
pean nations ride, rough shod, over the great Mo-
hammedan nation, the day of whose reformation
has come, as assuredly as that of Luther did for
the Christian world.