The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-06-14

observed customs Of the East, than the
Egyptian Pacha. But all this was eithe,
unknown or forgotten, and there is reason
for supposing that the very general dis
content that prevailed throughout the o.
toman Empire in 1889, would have led t.
a change of dynasty. for the first time In
its history, had il not been for the interpo.
si,ion Of the European powers. The
march Of the Egyptian army was thereby
stayed, and breathing time allowed to the
youthful Sultan, whose subsequent con
duct has proved that that interposition wat
wisely made.
When Abdul Medjid ascended the throne
of his ancestors, and became the head o.
the Mahommedan faith, it was supposed
by most people, both in America and Eu.
rope, that he was not man OF intellect
and quite unequal to following in the
course adopted. and so energetically pur.
sued. by his father. Something Of this
impression was undoubtedly caused by
the extreme difference between the two
sovereigns. in point of personal appear.
ance. Mahmoud II. was, an eminently
handsome man. even far superior to his
race, which has generally consisted Of men
OF very commanding presence. Mr.. Mac
Farlane. who lived much at Constantinople
during his reign. and who visited that city
again in 1847, says: lone evening. as the
sun was setting, stopped, not without in.
terest and emotion. before the spacious
white marble Tourbe which contains all
that is left of Sultan Mahmoud The last
of the many times that | saw the energetic
potentate, was close by this very spot,
when he was full OF life and health, and
looked like one almost certain to attain his
three score years and ten. His robust,
vigorous frame. his magnificent breadth
of chest. his most striking countenance,
proud, naughty and handsome, and his
large jetblack very peculiar eyes, never
saw eyes like thenl.) which looked you
through and through, and which were new
er quiet, all rose before me. lie was quiet
enough now! Disappointment and excess,
lbrahim Pacha and brandy, had sent him
prematurely TO his grave. And here he
lay in wooden sarcophagus, covered
with rich Cashmere shawls, and his red
frez and blue tassel al the head.''* On
the other hand. Abdul Medjid is Of small
frame and sickly appearance, giving no
indication of that power, possessed by his
father. But many blade of Toledo or
Damascus may be contained in scab.
bard that the careless observer might pass
rby as not deserving of note; and in the
frail body OF Abdul. MedjiL dwells spirit
not unworthy of his race, race which
has produced more able monarchs than
any other royal line-for we by no means
attach any importance to the idea ad-
vanced by Lord Bacon, namely, that the
house OF Gilman became extinct in the
person of Solyman, since whose death,
the Turkish succession has been spurious,
and OF ...sirange blood''f The course
which the youthful monarch entered upon,
being substantially the same with that
which his father had followed, agreeably
disappointed all the we'll wishers of the
Ottoman Empire. It differed in no inn
portant respect from that Of Mahmoud II ;,
except as it was modified by the sweetness
of the new monarch's disposition, who
abhers cruelty, and can rarely be induc.
ed TO give his consent to the shedding Of
blood. .'t....5...
Having resolved upon being reform.
ing monarch, Sultan Abdul. .Medjid forth
will: commenced his labors in that direc.
tion, and for that end. The tribunals OF
justice first attracted his attention, and
were, to considerable extent, reformed.
1t was provided that public officers should
be paid by salaries, instead of allowing
each local ruler to help himself to as much
ss he could, and in any manner that he
pleased. To the people, a charter OF rights
was granted, from the monarch's good
will and mere motion, as they did not de-
mand il. By this charter, the civil equal
ity of all races in the empire is recognized
and guaranteed. fact which alone speaks
volumes as to the liberalily of the Sultan,
and his freedom from prejudice. Differ
ence OF religious sentiment is not allowed
to have any weight, and the Christian, the
Jew, and all other dissenters from the
Mussulman faith, are as favorably situat.
ed in civil matters, as the most devout ol
the followers of the Prophet of Mecca
| Delegates have been summoned TO the cap.
|ital, from all parts Of the. Sultan's domin-
ions, and encouraged to state their griev.
ances Of every kind, whether caused by
their own poverty, by the oppressive acts
of local governors, or by any other cause
whatsoever. The principle of religious
freedom has been fully recognized, and
Christians suffering under the hands Of
]persecuting ecclesiastics, have obtained
substantial relief. Hospitals have been
Eerected, and also large Medical College
which even Mr.. Mao Farlane admits the
Sultan had most literally provided "with
implements, museums, cabinets, and other
means and facilities" The same writer
says that the College was .sstocked with
electric machines. galvanic batteries, by.
Turkey aud its Destiny. Vol. /. PIP. 1918.
i ton what authority Lord Bacon makes this sup
position-for such only it is--he does not state
+ and probably It was only the gossip of his time
when the Turks were the terror of Europe, tho
the battle Of Lepanto had some what lessened III.
J dread that was attached to their name. We fnt
nothing in either Won Hammer. .PurgstalI or Rank,
which countenances that The blood OF OthmaI
not in the veins OF the Sultans that succeeded
to Solyman, as much as in those of his predeces
, sors. 1t Is we'll known that, by one Of thes,
bloody revolutions Of the seragiio, if we may 81
call.them. that are common TO all oriental dynas
ties. the eldest son and heir-spparent Of Solyman
; tho celebrated Mustapha, was put to death, ane
the sue Cession secnred 10 Seiivn IT hpt II doc