Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-04-24

TURKISH REFoRMs.-Simultaneo with the
re. orms to be introduced throughout that por-
ton of Europe which has been the seat of war,
Turkey herself, of her own accord, is about to
introduce other reforms which viii be the
greatest stride yet taken towards planting Eu-
ropean civilization within her vast dominions.
Doubtless the Sultan has been prompted to
take this step, as the only means to check the
downward tendency of the Mahometan power
i'll Europe He has discovered the intentions of
his hereditary enemy, the Gar. He has seen,
too, that even his allies, France and England,
may in certain contingencies, get a foothold
within his domInions, and at some future
day, when the Sultan cannot maintain his
supremacy, dismember his empire as the pow
ers adjacent did Poland. The reforms alluded
to are the establishment of absolute equality
among all the subjects of the Ottoman EN-.
pire, whether Mahometan, Christian or Jew.
The Firman which the Sultan has issued, is
a series of declarations upon which laws will
be founded. Among others, it is declared
that the privileges and immunities of the va
rious churches will be referred to councils of
the presthoods, and their recommendations
to the Porte. The regulations regarding the
various Christian denominations are extreme
y liberal, and will give great satisfaction to the
Protestant communities. All epithets and ex-
pIesslOHs NIIlCll Imply luleFlDIlIy Oh EDe part
of Christians are to be banished from the pub
lie documents; and it is forbidden that Off
Gals or private individuals should make use
of insulting terms and the offenders punish
ed. All persons, of whatever race or religion,
who may present themselves and pass certain
prescribe! examinations, are to be admitted
according to their capacities into the public
service, both military and civil. Each COM
mounity is free to erect schools for the arts
and sciences, subject only to the inspection
OF mixed commission named by the Porte.
In the courts of justice the admission of
Christian testimony is recognized, and all wit
nesses are permitted to swear according to
their own religious creeds
Equality of taxation is to be established for
men of all religions, and on the other hand
the CONSUMPTION is to extend to every subject
OF the Ottoman Empire. But the ordinance
which will accomplish more for the regenera-
ton OF the Eastysis that which permits native
Christians to lossess landed property-a right
which, though it has always existed, has been
practically limited by prejudice and legal
technicalities. Furthermore, taxes Of all
kinds are to be collected by the State, and the
practice of farming the revenues entirely
abolished. Local taxes are to be levied for
the making of roads and other improvements.
Reports are to be published yearly, detailing
the financial state of the empire, and the Porte
is endeavoring to establish a system of credit,
together with National Bank.
These reforms are so much at variance with
the long established principles of the Ottoman
government and people, that many are of
opinion that their adoption would be more
dangerous to the integrity of the empire than
the efforts of the Gar and other Christian
sovereisns to reduce it, while others think it
the commencement of real civilization, from
which may yet be rearad more mighty en-
pire than the old Byzantine. A few years
experience will demonstrate this; but whether
successful or not, it is most certain that moth
ing short of some sweeping reforms, which
shall assimilate the empire with the other
great kingdoms and States OF civilsed Europe,
can save it from the inevitable fall that other
wise awaits it, Providence Journal