New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-08-15
THE CIRcAssrAN CHIEF.


This shows what importance is attached to the
position and influence of this heroic chetan BY those
best qualified to Judge concerning it, and renders
him more than ever object of interest to the
Western World. Accordingly, though we have al
ready laid before readers careful account of the
Crcassisn struggle for independence, derived from
the most authentic sources, make room for
the following additional statements furnished by
Polish officer, who has himself served in the eau
cssus, and witnessed the warfare that the
mountaneep have waged with their powerful and
persistent enemies.
After the treaty of Adrianople, about twenty-five
wears ago. the inhabitants of the Kabarda were the first
of the tribes spread over the mountainous tract
living east of the Caspian Sea- who waged furious
war against Russian invasion. About that time there
lived in that region certain Mohaumedan priest named
Kay Moah-volent, intrepid, sagaclous and active;
pdefatigabe too in his exertions to insme the minds
Of his countrymen against Russian domination. ms
persou soon gained q vast influence these war
like mountaineers. He accompanied by body Of
daring warriors ready to carry ont his most san
culinary orders and blindly obeying his will. He thus
became one of the most formidable foes of the Rus
SLAMS and carried terror into their army lie har-
raised them continually intercepted their supplies,
territory of Tshamkaa Tarkou Niznovoe, and
pushed as far as Derbend. When at. last Baron
Rosen then Cove rnor General of the Caucasus having
become alarmed by his victorious progress, marched
in person against him. Kay Mollah being nclOsed on
all sides shut up himself in the tower of an ancient
abandoned fort and there perished with many thou
sands of his faithful followers falling in defense of the
old brave chief handful, however, managed to
force their passage through the thick columns of the
enemy and effected their escape. In this perilOus re-
treat one of them, young man of fierce though
| melancholy countenance, with pale face partly black
| ened with powder or stained with blood holding
broad dagger in his hand wheeling quickly around his
horse and dschargng his long pistols while fleeing,
was an exceedingly conspicuous figure. He soon, with
lightning speed disappeared in thick clouds OF dust
and smoke and on reaching his beloved mountains
made them resound with his cries of woe and revenge
| Shortly after this youth distinguished himself by
bs heroic resistance to the invaders OF his country;
and by repetition of acts of superior vaor, and by
series of victories and successes which demonstrated
| in him the qualities of fearless and accomplished
soldier He was accordingly unanimously proclaimed
the legitimate successor of the late Kay Moah That
| juvenile hero has become the now word-renownei
| Shamyl Bey the Wallace of the Caucasus
In order to have correct idea of the position and
prospects of the Crcsssan people, it is indispensable
to make more intimate acquaintance with the char
acter of their leader in whose person the spirit of In
| surrection and independence is embodied.
| Shamyl Bey has Justly been compared to Abdel
Kader. and there is much analogy between them.
Each appears to be half-warrior and halfprophet
sbamvl. like Add ell Kader, combines in himself the
qualities of political leadership military command
| thp ia
power which cannot be easily destroyed, because if
the material force should by chance escape from
| him. his moral influence still remains enhanced by
religious fanatcism, which, by its nature is nyncbe.
Shamyl has become so formidable that he has infused
into the war a sacred character; its watchwOrd is
| death TO the nfdels
With the Asiatc races religion has always been and
still is the most powerful stimulus and the starting
point of every political system To this rule Russia
forms exception.
The peculiar creed of which Shamyl is the supreme
chief 10 called Murdism." "Murid signihes liter
ally Adept II is a disciple obliged to blind ODE
dience toward his superior, called "Murshld' or
initiate-in the holy mysteries OF religion PARADISE
is promised to every Murid who is about to sacrhce
his life in war against the indels, and after his death
he il regarded as a sort of saint. This doctrine IN
troduced into Crcassa some thirty years ago, taxes
its origin from Persia or Bokhara It's sort OF Nus
sulmau Methodsm, being the strictest application OF
the precepts Of the Koran, acknowledged as
upoue civil and religious law. Its rule very severe
as it makes an obligation of martyrdom, and every be-
lever is bound to sacrifice, without restriction, his
fortune and his life in its Defense Moreover it EN-
braces political principle, giving great power to
Muridism This is the democratic principle, and con.
shutting an absolute equality before the civil and re-
,ieious laws. When the law is embodied in single
man. il is easy to understand how this principle OF
equality becomes in his hands new element OF
dictatorship. Shamyl is, therefore, the real aroter
of the sacrifices which the war claims against
the infdes; be disposes freely OF the fortunes
| and life of his people. But in doing justice
| TO Shanyl we must add here that notwithstanding
this power he does not abuse it, On the contrary, 10
could be proved by many examples that he regards It
As means to enable him to establish the reforms which
he regards necessary to promote the welfare OF his
country.
Among the various reforms now in progress among
the Tcherkessians is change in the old defective and
| barbarous common law, for better legislation and
more congenal to our age. The country is placed in
the guardianship of Cabs or interpreters OF the law;
and is divided into two principal military commands
those of the North and Of the South which again are
undivided into some twenty small commands, each
under its respective chief called Nab whose duty 10
70 watch over the safety of the territory under his
surveillance Many Of these Naibs could, on an extra
ordinary occasion bring 900 or 5000 men into the
field well armed and equipped with about 800 horse
men mounted on animals OF almost incompatible speed