Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-06-06
THE CAREER OF THE Turks.

Everything relating to the Turks is interesting at
this juncture. In the February number of Black
woods Magazine, we find a historical summary of
their career which we believe will afford informa-
ton, even persons somewhat convcs mt with the
past:
The Turks are no new race. 1t is even ascer-
tanned that the Togarmah, mentioned in Genesis,
and afterwards in Ezekiel, were the same people
Us the modern Turks. Be this as it may, the Turks
have founded no less than three great empires,
since the Introduction of Christianity. The first
of these empires about the middle of the
sixth century, and was established by Toumcn,
the black smth, an ancestor Of Gcnghis khan.-
The Turks, at this time, Inhabited Central Asia,
where many of their tribes still remain. Their
principal city was called Taygas, and was situa-
ted in the north western part of China; their
laws were just; they carried on an extensive
commerce; and those portions Of them living
about Mount Atal, mined and manufactured large
~. This empire was not, however of long dura-
ton; it seems an ambassay Or two to Constanti-
nople perpetual itself for few generations of
princes and then fell to pieces from its want of
homoSeneousness, as most empires similarly con-
stituted, do.
But the Turkish race still remained though the
empire was no more. In the eleventh century
branch of this great family, the Seljoukan Turks
established second empire. This new power
grew up on the political decline of the Caliphate
of Bagdad and the byzantine empire. But the
Selioukan Turks came dcsolatcrs of civiza-
ton not as its friends. When they entered the
countries between the Persian Gulf, the Caspian
the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, they found
those rich provinces filled with cities, which, tho
declining from their ancient splendor, were still
ilourshing marts, and the centre of elegance, re-
finemcnt and the useful arts. They left this city
desolate. Nomad in their habits, they destroyed
the towns, and laid waste the fields, in order to
e. 4 L.. d.
their power. The Seljouk empire, in turn, soon
split into pieces. 1t was finally subdued, torn to
pieces, and utterly annihilated by the successors
of Ghengis Khan. But the Turkish race survived
this disaster as it did the first. The empire was
gone, but the people remained. The various
tribes of this great family, though dismembered
and scattered were still us full of vitality ever.
Nothing was wanted to found the third empire but
an occasion, and this soon arose.
In the fourteenth century, tribe OF four hun
bred families, of the purest Turkish blood, en-
tered the then sinking Seljouk empire, under the
lead of Koum, and of Othman his son. The lat
ter, on the extinction of the Sejouk authority.
gradually extended his influence over the dismenl-
bered provinces, and is regarded as the real foun-
der of the present empire, to which he has given
his name. The empire progressed rapidly
1t soon threatened Europe with conquest, and in
little more than a century after its establish
ment actually reduced ConstantnOple. 1t at
tanned Its greatest height, perhaps, towards the
close OF the sixteenth century. Since that period
it has been on the decline. But it is still strong
in Asia; and even stronger in Europe, perhaps,
than is generally thought.
1t is mistake to suppose the Turks Tartar
or Mogul race. The real Turks are Caucassians.
Nor are all the Turks under the dominion of the
Sultan. Many tribes of pure Turks exist in the
heat Of Asia, and are found up to the very wall
of China. Their original seats, however, are sup
posed to lie around the Altai mountains They
have always been good warriors. nor do they seem
to have deteriorated. even on the Danube.-
Whether they will be pushed out of Europe,
final result of the present state of affairs.
whether they will make good their position for
new term Of generations, is vet to be seen.