The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-11-04
Abdul Mediid,
THE SULTAN OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE.

Abdul Medjid was born on the 20th of
April, 1924, and was but sixteen years Of
age when called to succeed his father,
whose death was announced on the 1st
of July, 1899, though it is supposed that
| it occurred some days before. The cere-
mony Of installation was performed on
the 18th. when he was girded with the
sword Of 0sman with all the ancient for
malities. He is tall and we'll formed
his hed is fine and regular; his depod-
ment is graceful and noble; his auburn
hair is always covered by red calashe,
similar to that worn by the meanesl of
his subjects bis eyes are of grayish
blue, full and penetrating. His habituaI
costume is s'the military dress of his en-
pire--a dark. colored tunic, buttoned up
TO the neck; no warlike accouirement
except sabre suspended at his side, and
similar to that which every citizen may
grid in. the hour of danger; no golden
embroideries nor dazzling honors upon
his habitual dress.
The decorations which the Sultan con-
fers, have the form of a sort Of gold
medal, on which is engraved his sigma
ture, and the importance Of which de-
pends upon the number and value Of the
diamonds which surround it. The su-
preme mark Of favor Of this kipd, the
most enyiable decoration, is the minia-
ture portrait of the Sultan, surrounded by
jewels, and suspended to chain; wo-
men may receive this decoration, which
they wear attached TO the left shoulder.
Three Christian ladies possess it at this
moment. One of them, the Princess
v, lately received this august pre-
sent in Moldavia, in presence of a young
Turk IN high office, who had been brought
up near the person Of Abdul Medjid.
"Behold him" said he, inclining himself
profoundly before this r ortrait: "behold
him that master whom we revere, not
because he is powerful, but because he
is goodp s'Never,n added he, ''has that
angelic heart permitted a drop of blood
TO flow, either to extend or to secure his
power; the life OF others is so sacred in
his eyes, that when il behooves him to
| pass sentence of death, even on a crimi-
nal, he takes refuge in the retirement of
his apartment, secludes himself there,
and becomes inaccessible to all; there
he, in anguish, asks within himself if
God can have given him the power to
blot out forever a man from the number
OF the living" On his accession to the
Il rome, it became necessary for him, in
accordance with the custom, to sacrifice
a lamb. He refused to do it. "If that is
the price Of the throne," said he, laugh
ing, 81 choose to renounce itn
H The Sultan Abdul Mediid, has con-
| Quoted the administration OF Turkey upon
the policy Of his enninent father. Called,
when yet child, to the exercise of ab-
solute power in an immense empire, his
father bequeathedtohim the overwhelmn-
ing burden of country weakened by
unfortunate wars, and undermined by
secret intrigues. His first step, on as
cending the throne, was to entirely re-
organize the army, upon the best Euro
pean model. With the utmost lberality,
he granted to the Christians privileges
and immunities; he founded schools
where Catholics, Greeks, Armenians
Jews and Mussulmen live side by side,
instructed each by the Ministers Of their
respective religions, and attended each
by persons OF the same religious persua-
sion; and the grateful Christians contri-
buted the aid Of their experience 10 all
the reforms of the young sovereign.
They assisted him 10 establish bis schools;
they organized his armies; they exer-
cised his navy. Thus has been realized
by the son that great saying OF the father,
81 wish my subjects 10 be recognised, the
Mussulman only at the church, the Jew
only at the synagogue" In his reign,
taxes have been equalized, and the gen.
eral prosperity of the country so much
advanced, that its population Is annually
increased by immigrations Of the sub
jects Of neighboring States, drawn to
Turkey by the comforts ofan enlightened
and comparatively free government u
carrying out the new system of reform
called Tanzimat, the present Sultan has
encountered the most formidable ebs,a-i
cles, both by rebellions at home and by
ambitious tyrants of other countries, who
seek to despOil him of rich and valuable
territory. The reform undertaken by The
III Cnltop Mahonoad smith ,ha dosaS, e