The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-28
THE r EPU BLIC.
Correspondence Of the Neic York Observer.
Reschid Pacha, Minister OF Foreign
.e Affairs in Turkey.

FRANCE, June, 1853
The eyes of all Europe being now turned to the
Ottoman empire, your readers will be interested
to know something of the illustrious man who oc-
cupies at Constantinople the high post of Minis
ter of Foreign Affairs. He is not an ordinary
Mussulman. He has studied carefully the opin-
ions, sciences, and customs of Christian nations,
and even speaks with facility the French Ian
guage. Though disciple of Mahomct, and
rigid observer Ofte preceps of the Koran, ne has
only one tcits--renouncng thus voluntarily polyg-
amy, aware of its sad influence upon his country
and race. He has acted the part of reformer
among the Turks; and if he has not succeeded in
his plans, the fault is less imputable to him than
to the ignorance and fanaticism of the majority of
Mussulmans.s What can individual do, how
ever intelligent and resolute, when he encounters
a host Of corrupt, degraded beings, interested to
maintain old abuses' Reschid's generous enter
prise did not, however, wholly fail; the seeds of
civilization have been deposited in the East and
God alone knows if this unhappy nation will not
yet be called, by embracing the faith Of the Cos
pei, to glorious destinies.
Reschd Pacha was born at Constantinople in
1902 sot distinguished family. His father was
administrator general of the imperial mosque OF
Baazet; his mother reckoned viziers among her
relatives Being left widow with two sons and
two daughters, she devoted herself to the educa-
ton of young Reschid, her eldest She taught
him all that Mussulman could learn, and this
fact is worthy of being noted. For many Turkish
officers, even the highest, often lack the common
est instruction. They are boatmen, porters, slaves,
who by the Sultan s whims become all at once ad-
mirals, army generals, provincial governors; and
this explains, in part at least, why the affairs OF
the Ottoman empire are badly managed. But
it was not so with Reschd His studies qualified
him to fill the highest offices of State before he
was called to them.
Having finished his education, Reschid became
private secretary of the famous .4A Pacha, who
had been successfully grand vizier, commander
of the expedition against the Greeks, and COVER
nor of the Morea. He was initiated by his pro-
tector in the art of war and of government. But
Ali Pacha fell into disgrace, owing to his military
operations, and Reschid Bey (the title he then
bore) was attached to the ministry Of foreign af-
fairs, as secretary of old Perte,o Pacha This was
between the years 1927 and 1884, the period when
the Sultan Malmoud tried to introduce some re-
forms into his empire, after having destroyed the
formidable body of Janissaries. This sultan was
well-meaning, but not intelligent Eager for in
novations, he shed torrents Of blood whenever he
met any resistance; and having but an imperfect
idea of European civilization, he tancled that IN
copying our soldiers uniform, in ordering
Mussulmans to shave the beard, he would change
the face of the East. Vain attempts, which pro-
voked the anger of the old Turks, without pro-
ducng any solid reform! Reschid Bey was not
then old enough, nor influential enough, to be
heard in the councils of the Sublime Porte; he
confined himself to study the steps to be taken by
his countrymen in order to share in European civ
ization.
In 1884 he was sent as regular ambassador to
London and to Paris, and passed there several
years; an important mission, which developed his
brilliant natural qualities. Reschd Pacha ex-
amned every thing that would serve for his future
use. He visited eminent political men, studied
the civil laws, observed the manners and customs,
and did not forget the public amusements His
character was admirable and frank; he received
everywhere the most cordial reception.
His friend Portew Pacha having been appointed
grand-vizier Reschid was called from Paris to oc-
cupy the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs. He
fastened to accept the invitation; but how uncer-
tain are political offices at Constantinople On
reaching the frontiers of the Ottoman empire, he
learnt that the grandfather had been deDOsed;
exiled, strangled by order of the Sultan Mahmoud,
from whom this sentence of death had been ex-
torted in drunken frolic. Passing to Adrianople,
Reschd found there the dead body of his protec-
tor! This sad example of the frightful abuses of
despotism deeply impressed his mind, and he pro-
ceeded reluctantly to Constantinople, doubtful of
his own fate.
The Sultan Mahmoud had no recollection of
the order he had signed in fit of intoxication;
and on learning the sad execution of his exvizier
he shed tears, though too late, over his folly.
Reschid profted by these good dispositions to ex-
pei from court the enemies of Pertew Pacha, and
became the prime minister of the empire. ellis
administration, says the author of a Journey IN
the East, sswas marked by judicious reforms. To
him is owing the creation of two councils which |
made the action of the government regular. lie
instituted also council of public utility designed
to prepare plans of administration. But these
honorable efforts raised up against him many enc
mics. The Turks accused him of overthrowing
the law of Mahomet, and the Russians were un-
easy to see capable man at the head OF the
empire. Reschid felt that the ground was giving
way under his feet, and he anticipated his fall by
resuming the title of Ambassador in the Vest =
The Sultan Mahmoud dying in 1899, Reschid
Pacha returned Immediately to Constantinople, to
pay his respects to the young sovereign, .4bdut
.Medjid. He met from him with very kind re-
ception, and both of them unitedin composing the
famous haiti cherif, ormperal OF Gut- Hane.
This was sort of constitution, designed to estab-
lish in the Ottoman States regular government.
Rsschid Pacha had conceived this idea while re-
siding in France and England, and found in Abdul
Medd master disposed to admit all useful
reforms.
The haiti cherif was issued the Sd November,
1889, in a vast plain near the seraglio, amidst
great pomp. The representatives of all the Eu-
ropean powers, the Prince dc JoHvllle and his
staff, the ministers of the empire, the pachas OF
provinces, army generals, the chief ulemas and
Mahometan priests the patriarchs of all Christian
communions, delegation of Armenian bankers,
and an immense crowd of people were present
After the young Sultan had taken his place upon
a high seat, Reschid Pacha mounted a platform
prepared for the purpose, and with a loud voice
read the decree for the reorganization OF the
country. .a....
Ofthis important document brief analysis is
sufficient. The preamble states various causes OF
the impoverishment and feeble state of the Mus
sulman monarchy SIN consequence" adds the
Sultan through his minister, 'confding in the aid
of the Most High, resting on the precepts of the
prophet, we judge proper to seek by new msttu-
ton to procure for the provinces which compose
the Ottoman empire the benefit ola good admin
istra ton. ("
The haiti cherif thus enumerates the institu-