The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-28
THE EASTERN QUESTION.
sketch Of tie Danubian Provinces OF MOldayia
and Wallaehia.
Short Description of the City of Jazy
Apnul Ned I'D,

Apaul Mcdud,
TIN SULTAN OF TIE OTTOMAN EhP1RE.
Abdul Nedd was born the 20vI of April
1874 and was but sixteen years OF age when called
20 succeed his father whose death Was announced on
he LIST Of July 1889 though it - supposed that it
occurred some days before The ceremony OF install
lation was performed the 18th, when he was
girded with the sword OF 0sman with all the ancient
tormalites He is tall and wellformed; his head IS
hne and regular his department graceful and noble;
his auburn hair always covered by red cailotte,
similar to that by the mesnest of his subjects;
his eyes of grayish blue, soft and penetrating
His habitual costume is the military dress of his
pre-a dark colored tunic, buttoned up to the neck
no warlike accourement except sabre suspended at
his side end similar to that which every citizen may
grid in the hour of danger; no golden embroideries
nor dazzling colors upon his habitual dress.
The decorations which the Sultan confers have the
torn Of sort of gold medal, on which is engraved
his sig aature, and the importance of which depends
upon the number and value OF the diamonds which
surround it. The supreme mark of favor of this kind
the most envable decoration, is the miniature por-
trait of the Sultan, surrounded by jewels, and sus
pended TO gold chain; women may receive this
decoration, which they wear attached to the left
shoulder Three christian ladies' possess 1t at this
moment. One of them, the Princess V, lately
received this august present in Modava, 10 presence
OF young Turk in high office, who had been
brought mp near the person OF Abdul Medjid. BE
hold him. said he, inclining himself profoundly
before this portrait 9 behold him that master
whom we revere not because he is powerful but be-
cause he is good Never ADDED he, has that an
gehc heart permitted drop OF blood to flow, either
to extend to his power; the life of others is
sacred in his eyes, that when it behoves him to
PASS sentence of death, on criminal, he takes
retirement
himself there and becomes inaccessible to all; there
he m anguish, asks within himself if God can have
given him the power TO blot out forever from
the number of the living On his accession to the
throne it became necessary for him, in accordance
with the custom, TO sacrifice lamb; he refused TO
do it. IF that is the price of the throne said he,
laughing, Il choose to renOunce it."
The Sultan Abdul Medjid has conducted the adj
ministration Of Turkey upon the policy of his emf
nent father. Called, when yet child, to the exer
else of absolute power in an immense empire his
father bequeatbed to him the overwhelming
burden Of country weakened by unfortunate wars
and undermined by secret ntrigues. His first steps
ascending to the throne was to entirely reorganze
the army, upon the best European model. With the
utmost berality, he granted to the Christians priv
leges and immunites; he founded schools where Ca
thoics, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and Mussumen
i've side by side, instructed each by the ministers OF
their respective religions and attended each by per-
OF the religious persuasion: and the CRATE
fn Christians contributed the aid of their experience
70 all the reforms of the young sovereign. They
his armies; they exercised his navy Thus has been
realized by the son that great saying of the father
81 wish my subjects TO be recognized. the Mussu-
man only at the mosque. the Christian only at the
church, the Jew only at the synagogue" In his
reign taxes have been equaliZed, and the general
prosperity Of the country much advanced, that It's
population is annually increased by immigrations OF
the subjects of neighborng States, drawn to Turkey
by the comforts of enlightened and compare
lively free government. In carving ont the new
system of reform called Tanzimat, the present Sui
tan has encountered the most formidable obstacles
both by rebelions at home and by ambitious tvrants
OF other countries, who seek to despo him OF rich
and valuable territory. The reform undertaken by
the Sultan Mahmoud, with the design Of giving unity
10 the Ottoman Empire and pursued with an impla-
cable will through fire aud blood has been continued
with singular good fortune by has successor but by
means quite different The mere exercise OF justice,
tempered by touching goodness, has sutced to the
Sultan Abdul Medjid for rallying around bis throne
all the diverse races subjected 10 hlm, ard which
little while ago impored the succor Of Europe. Re-
form has been pursued with unwearied ardor. The
amehoration Of the discipline, the equipment and
the organization Of the army concessions in favor Of
the establishment Of railroads and the creation of
bank, about to place Turkey in position to en-
counter force well civilization. Once entered
into the family Of European interests she would have
eluded all dangers by the transformation 10 pre-
vent this result at any price is the object of the at
tack now made upon her.
Ii Turkey get happily through the present crisis,
repose will be secured to her for some time. Her
progress may be developed at leisure. aud reform,
carried INTO all parts OF Der administration, Will yield
the fruit which is expected from it. That is what
the adversaries of Turkey found it their interest,
any cost to prevent that is what occasoned the
txaordinary demand to protect populations who nave
need OF protection and who would consider as the
worst of caiamtes any change having for its object
TO withdraw them from the government Of the Sultan.
The present attitude of Turkey dictated by wisdom
and courage the loyal and firm policy OF her allies,
viii destroy it is to be hoped present complications,
and prevent their recurrence Those young popula-
tions will be left free TO perfect their Institutions and
30 offer Europe the tribute Of their strength and Of
their riches; they viii increase for civilization and
not for slavery.