Washington sentinel., 1853-11-13
Mashington gentinel.
Reschid Pasha.

| man of fine natural capacity and of superior
attainments. He has studied with much atten.
| ton the arts and sciences, and the opinions and
/ customs of the nations OF the west, and he
| speaks the French language with fuency
Among his people he is eminently a reformer
and man of progress. Though strict observer
of the precepts of the Koran he abjures polyg-
| amy, and has but one wife. In his efforts to
reform old abuses, and to introduce the princi-
| pies of higher civilization among his country
men, he has encountered the most strenuous
| opposition from a portion of the Musselmen.
Although sometimes compelled to succumb TO
the Vaccinations of his enemies, his efforts at
| reform have not been without their results. We
! have recently been told on high authority, that
no nation has made more rapid progress during
| the past few years than the Ottoman nation
Much of this advancement is due to the intei-
gence and energetic exertions of Reschid Pasha
Reschid Pasha was born at Constantnople
in 1902, of family of distinction, and is con-
sequently now ffty-one years of age. His father
was acknowledgement of the Imperial
Mosque at Bajazet. His mother, being left a
widow with two sons and two daughters, de-
voted herself to the education Of Reschid the
elder of the sons. Different from the general
ity of Turkish officials, even of the highest rank,
Reschid was qualified by his studies and edu.
cation to FIJI the most important Offices of State
before he was called to them. After complet-
ing his education, he became private secretary
to the celebrated Ali Pasha, who was success
sively Grand Vizier, commander of the expedi-
ton against the Greeks, and governor Of the
Morea
1t was by this famous parsonage that Reschid
was inducted into the arts of war and govern
ment. But Ali Pasha having fallen into dis
grace, in consequence of his military opera
tions, Reschid (then Bey) became the secretary
of the old and distinguished Pertew Pasha, then
Minister of Foreign Affairs. This happened
between 1927 and 1884, the period during
which the well-meaning, but impolitic Sultan
Mahmoud, after having destroyed the formid-
able Janissaries, was struggling to introduce
some reforms into his empire. Without much
intelligence, and with very imperfect idea of
European civilization, this Sultan fancied that
he could change the character of his people by
changing their costumcs-that he could alter
the face of his empire By arbitrary degrees and
by the use Of force.
At this time Reschild possessed neither the
age nor the influence to be heard in the coun-
ellis of the Porte, but the passing events seem.
ed to have been observed and studied with the
closest attention by him. In 1884 he was sent
as ambassador in the west, and spent several
wears in London and Paris in that capacity.
| This mission exercised an important influence
| in developing the character and views of Res
| child Pasha. He studied attentively every phase
of western civilization--the laws, manners and
customs, and omitted the examination of moth.
ing that could be of service in instructing his
mind upon these subjects. Whilst thus en-
ployed, his friend Pertew Pasha having become
Grand Vizier, Reschid was called from the
west to assume the duties of Minister of For
eign Affairs. Before, however, he reached Con-
stantinople, he learned that his benefactor had
| been deposed, exiled and strangled by order Of
the Sultan. The sentence of death had been
obtained from Mahmoud while intoxicated,
and when the Sultan recovered from his drunk.
en- fit, he had no recollection of the order TO
which he had affixed his signature, and wept
bitter tears on account of the execution of Per-
tew Pasha, the result of his own folly. Res.
child took advantage Of the disposition of his
sovereign to procure the expulsion from court
of the enemies Of his late benefactor. and him
self become Grand Vizier His administration
was marked by some judicious reforms. lie
Instituted the two Councils of State, for the pur.
pose Of giving greater regularity to the action
of government He also created council of
public utility, charged with the duty of pre-
pairing plans of administration. His laudable
efforts, however, to benefit his country, raised
up against him many enemies, and the great
capacity he displayed especially excited the
fear and the consequent animosity of Russia.
Reschid feeling that the ground was giving
away under him, anticipated his fall by return
ing to the west in the capacity of ambassador.
Upon the death of Mahmoud in 1899, Res
child repaired Immediately to Constantinople to
pay his respects to Mahmoud's successor, the
youthful Abdul Mederd, the present Sultan of
the Ottoman empire. He was kindly received.
During his residence in England and France
Reschid had conceived the idea of forming
sort of constitution for the Ottoman empire
with the object of establishing regular gov
ernment, and he now found in the young SOW
ereign favorable listener to his scheme The
result was the composition Of the famous haiti
cte,1f or imperial decree of GulHane, which
was promulgated with great pomp and solem-
nifty on the Sd Of November, 1889, in vast
plain near the seraglio, amid all the assembled
dignitaries Of the empire and the ambassadors
and representatives of foreign courts. This
haiti ckerif provides: First, security to the sub
iects of the empire for their life, honor and
| property. Second n regular mode of taxation.
| Third, uniform mode of enlisting soldiers and
| regular term Of service. Fourth, publicity in
debates and in judicial trials. These privi.
leees extend to all subjects Of whatever re-
| ligion.
Reschid Pasha addressed himself with reso-
| luton and intelligence TO carry into effect the
principles Of the haiti cheriE He altered the
system of public taxes, organized municipal
councils without distinction of religion or race,
composed penal code, &c.; and he punished
the highest personages when they violated the
law But Reschid was contending against an
invcterate system Of abuses, and moreover had
to encounter the ianaticism of the ignorant
Turks. The secret Vaccinations of Russia
were also perpetually leveled against him. The
consequence was that Reschid was deposed IN
March, 1911. lie again returned to Paris,
and while fulfilling with ability the duties OF
ambassador in the west, he prosecuted, with
unremitting diligence, his Investigations into
western civilization. The great aim of his
diplomacy was to encourage the alliance OF
England and France for the purpose of shield,
inc his country against the encroaching ambi
tion of Nicholas. Rcschid is most decidedly
i -