Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-08-12
From the New York Herald.
; a. Tur oTTom1N EMPIRE.

to succeed his father whose death was announeeu
ON the let of July 1885, though it is supposed that
T. occurred some DAYS before The ceremony OF in
stallation was performed the It'll, when ne was
girded with the sword of Osman with all the ancient
formalities. He is tall and well formed his head
is fine and regular his department graceful ana no
BILE his auburn hair is always covered by red cal
lotte similar to that worn by the meanest OF his
subjects; his eyes are of grayish blue, soft and
penetrating His habitual costume is the military
dress of his empire-a dark colored tunlc buttoned
up to the neck no warke accoutrement, except
sabre suspended at his side, and similar 10 that
which every citizen may grid in the hour of danger
no golden embroderies nor dazzling coors upon his
habitual dress.
The decorations which the Sultan confers have
the form of sort of gold medal, which is engra-
we'd his signature, and the Importance of which de-
ponds 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 min
iature portrait of the Sultan, surrounded by jewels,
and suspended to gold chain; women 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, late
" received this august present In MoldaVla, IN
presence of young Turk in high office, who had
been brought up near the person of Abdul Med]ld.
"Behold him." said he, inclining himself profoundly
before this portrait: " behold him that master
whom we revere, not because he is powerful, but
because he is good Never added he, "has that
angelic heart permitted drop of blood to flow,
either to extend to his power the life of
others is so sacred in his eyes, that when it behooves
him 10 pass sentence of DEATH a criminal
he takes refuge in the retirement OF his apartments
sceudes 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 for
ever man from the number of the living" On his
accession to the throne 1T became necessary tor 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, I" choose to renounce
| it,"
The Sultan Abdul Medjid has conducted the Ad-
ministratiOn of Turkey upon the policy of his emf
nent father. Called, when yet child, to the exer
| else of absolute power in immense empire, his
| father bequeathed to him the overwhelming burden
of q country weakened by unfortunate wars and
undermined by secret intrgues His first step on
ascending to the throne to entirely reorganiZe
the army, upon the best of European model. With
the utmost berality, he granted to the Christians
privileges and immunites; he founded schools where
Catholics, Greeks, Armenians, Jews and Musselmen
live side by side, instructed each by the ministers of
their respective religions and attended each by per-
sons of the same religious persuasion and the CRATE
full Christians contributed the aid of their experience
to oil the reforms of the young sovereign. They as
sisted him to establish his schools they organised
his armies they exercised his navy. Thus has
been realized by the son that great saying of the
father, g | wish my subjects to be recognized, the
Mussnman only at the mo- que, the Christian only al
the church, the Jew only at the synagogue" In his
reign have been equalzed and the general pros
perty of the country much advanced, that its popu
laon is annually increased by mmgrations of the sub
jects Of neghboring States, drawn TO Turkey by the
comforts of an enlightened and comparatively free
) government In carrying out the new system OF re-
form called Tanzmat, the present Sultan has encoun
tered the most formidable obstacles. both by rebel
lions at home and by ambitious tyrants of Other
countries, who seek to despol him of rich and vau
able territory. 7 he reform undertaken by the Sui
tan Mahmoud, with the design of giving unity tt
the Ottoman Empire. and pursued with an implaca
BILE will through fire and blood has been continued
with singular good fortune by his successors but by
means quite different. The exercise of justice
tempered by touching goodness, has sufhced to thu
Sultan Abdul Medjid for rallying around his thron
all the diverse subjected to him, and which
little while ago implored the succor of Europe Re
form has been pursued with unwearied ardor. The
ameioration of the discipline, the equipment ant
the organization of the army, concession in favor
tie establishment of railroads, and the creation o
t a bank about to place Turkey in position t.
encounter force we'll civilization. Once enter
ed into the family of European interests, she woul
have eluded all dangers by the transformation. II
prevent this result at any price, is the object of tn
. attack now made upon her.
If Turkey get happily through the present crisis
repose will be secured to her for some time. Her Pre-
gress may be developed at leisure, and REFORM carrie
: into all parts of her administration will yield th
fruit which is expected from it. That is what tn
adversares of Turkey found it their interest, at an
cost TO prev mt that is what occasoned the extra
e ordinary demand 10 protect populations who hay
Q n need of protection, and who would consider a
e the worst of calamities any change having for ii
object to withdraw them from the government {
the Sultan. The present attitude of Turkey, dicta
+ ted by wisdom and courage, the loyal and firm pc
icy of her allies, will Destroy lis to be hoped, pres
IS ent complications, and prevent their recurrence
Those young populations will be left free to perfet
their institutions and to offer to Europe the trbut
of their strength and of their riches; they will il
u crease for civilization, and not for slavery.
Japan.