Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-12-14
THE TURKISH EMPIRE.


THE TURKISH EMPIRE.
The frequent use of the words "Sultan,"
Porte" &C., &C., in the newspapers publishing
accounts Of affairs in Turkey at the present
time, are enormously understood by many per-
sons.
"The Sublime Porte is the official title of the
Government of the Ottoman Empire, and not the
title of any officer Of the government, as many
suppose it to be.
The Ottoman Emperor is called Sultan or
Grand Sultan, or Grand Seignor, according to
the fancy of the person speaking or writing
They all mean the same thing.
Pacha is governor of province, and accord
ing to the Importance of his province, he is dis
tinguished by one or two or three tails. Every
Pacha has his own army in his own province,
distinct from the grand army Of the empire. A
Pacha of three tails has power to punish with
death any agent whom he employs, or any indi-
vidual who seems to threaten the general safe
ty.
Bey is a SUBJ governor under the Pacha.
The Dvan is the Council of State, and con-
sists of the principal ministers.
The Refs Effend is high chancellor Of the en-
pire, and stands at the head of all the body of
attorneys-which body is thought to contain the
DeSI lnIOriDeu meu Ol Tie UdtlOU.
Cadi is sort ofjudge or justice of the peace.
To order the bastinado on common people, to
impose fine on rich Greek or European, to
condemn thief to be hanged is about all of
the duty of an ordinary Cadi
The power of the Sultan is absolute. He APP
points and displaces at his pleasure all the great
civil and military functonaries, and is master of
their lives and fortunes. When any state off,
Ger dies, whatever he possesses at his death
goes into the pocket of the Sultan, who is also
master of the lives and fortunes of every subject,
and when any dies without male issue he be-
comes heir to his estate In case there are sons,
he claims only one-tenth, and the sons retain the
the other nine-tenths. But they do not own
ANYTHING of it-no man can own or hold any
right in fee simple to any inherited property
He is only tenant for life, and the Sutan's
claim comes in at every mans death. The
clerks of the Grand Treasury make their own
valuation in settling estates, and at as high
rate as they please; it often happens that what
is left after their one-tenth is gone, is almost
valueless.
In the cities and large towns, the Grand Seign-
or is curtaied in the exercise of this unlimited
authority, by the presence of so many well in
formed persons as there always are in cities, and
through whose influence he expects TO gain IA
vor and credit in time of need.
A secret police in the pay of the Emperor is
usually abroad, and the smallest pretence is
enough to confscate a citizens property.
The people, when they choose to rebel against
their tyrans, set the city fire, and almost al
ways find support in the jealousy of some dis
appointed or ambitious persons of influence, and
sometimes in the indignant probity of some pow
erful individual.
In the political state every mrn who is invest
ed with power, is at liberty to delegate that pow
er entirely to another; thus the Sultan is vice.
gerent to the prophet Every Pacha is repre-
sentative of the Sultan, and the Bey is repre-
sentative of the Pacha, and so on, in military
progression, till every soldier who carries an or
der has his authority, thus multiplying oppress-
ion which falls heavily on all classes.
All public places and employments are open.
ly given to the highest bidder. Thus Pacha
having paid high for his own office, in his turn
disposes Of those in his line to those offering
the highest prices, taking care to indemnify him.
self at the expense Of those under him. The
same system pervades all Turkish Society-the
least favor or service conferred must be purchas-
ed by presents. Even the sentence of the Cadi
and declaration Of witnesses are purchased in
the same way. This system is the more dread
full as every grade of Judges pronounce sentence
from which there is no appeal.
The present Sultan is said to be high-mnd- |
ed man, and in favor of reforming many of the
abuses Of his government. There is room
enough, certainly.