The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-11-19

From the wsshirg.on Unioa.

luIkey nas, Wltn1n the present century
assumed more Of the political and religious
freedom which prevails in Western Europe
than is generally supposed During the last
fifty years, progress and not decline, has been
the theory Of her government. Before the
reign Of Selim, the predecessor Of the father
Of the present Sultan. the Turkish Empire,
weakened by It's conflicts with Russia,
seemed fastening with rapid steps to the
broad grave Of nations The unity Of adj
ministration had departed. The monarchs
appeared to be in state Of somnolency, with
D halfconseiou. that the sceptre Of pow
or was passing from their hands, and yet
without the strength TO close the fast-stifleh-
/ ing fingers. Their traditional foe behind the
walls OF the Mikhalof Palace reyeled in an
tcipaton OF a Crinean protectorate upon
more gigantic scale. Decay had stricken
oil the departments Of the government. The
/ partition Of the Empire was indeed seriously
canvassed by the Houses Of Hapsburg and
/ RomanOf The Austrians question, what
shall we do with Constantinople p was at
once the criterian Of expected triumph, and
the source OF future desagremeas between the
titled allie. But patriotic eye seized at
one glance the causes Of the national weak
ness. The statesinanlike vision Of Selim Iii
saw the necessity for radical change in the
administration Of the nation. He lacked,
however, the commanding will requisite to
compel his subjects 10 aid him in the work
of progress in all its details lie had the
| mind to conceive, but not the resolution 10
act. Possessing the patriotism and genius
Of Peter the Great, he fortunately wanted
/ that undaunted nerve 10 make them ayala-
bic. The magnitude Of the undertaking ap-
palled him, and, at its very threshold, his
heart fatered and bis hand grew weak. He
instituted few minor changes; but the
/ great plan of reform he had outlined was
destined to be carried out by his successor,
MahOmoud.
II was no mean innovation 10 correct forci-
bly, aud suddenly inveteratc prejudices grown
hoary under years OF msruie Ignorance.
established and protected by religion and
law, was likely to WELD twofold power
the one Of aggression. and the other of stub.
born defence. The Musulman. firm 10 his
latalism and adherance to old forms, at first
laughed at the idea Of yielding them at the
beck OF his monarch. The traditions ofages
are formidable enemies TO the inauguration
Of useful measures. In the march OF pro-
gress, conservatism sometimes degeneratcs
into an obstnacy, petty, foolish, and sense.
less. that hugs It's worst decisions TO its
breast, aud sneers at the possibility of a
change for the better. Among the Turks.
conservatism too often assumes such phase,
and, allied to the national inertn.ss Of char
actcr, becomes n serious bar b. their indvid-
ual or social Improvement. The past and
present are everything the future nothing
Mahmoud found his course impedei by the
raven-notes ot those who saw nothing good
but what was presented by the ages of ig-
norance and narrow. mindedness, through
which the nation bad in spite of them,
fought its way to power and rtnown. Mere
arguments Of expcdleacy could not permcate
their brains. Innovation on what had be-
come thing OF holiness TO them was
wrong and not even the power of the com.
mander OF the Faithful, the head OF their re.
| ligion and the ruler OF the State, could give
q dollhouse growth to the measures OF re-
form. Progress, especially the progress of
such race as the Mussunlan, is not en-.
lowed with Mnervan finish and complete
ness Of maturity. 1t is obliged 10 crawl
slowly, sometimes painfully receiving
check here. all impetus there, but always
subject TO the depressing fluctuations of pop
uar sentiment. Though, when once COM
menced, il be rarely failure. il is never
other than struggle. Luckily for the in
terests Of Turkey a sublime truth is EN-
boiled in the hopeful thought Of benjamin
Constant : IL friomphe lies H'ses wiies n est
jlnldS qliuue question de date. This is, in
deed, the great maker OF nations--the rec
tllier Of abuses-the eXpositor of doubted
truths--,le friend OF useful theories.
Mahmoul. with courageous heart and
patriotic instincts, battled Tor thirty years,
and finally succeeded in ENGRAVING upon the
policy OF his country many Of the useful
and beneficial measures Of European ciylli-
yation. Cherished customs that had be-
come almost a part of the national policy,
were abolished; abuses that had crept into
the administration of law and the govern
mint. wcrc corrected useless and injurious
antipathes werc removed, and a vtalizing
activity given TO the poli,ica', financial, and
civil administration Of the nation. which
brought il into closer companionship with
the civilization Of the enlightened PEOPLE OF
Europe. \ complete system Of public
schools. for the children OF Turks. Chris
tiars. and jew. WAS established by the gov
erument. and thc tine arts and the useful
professions were encouraged AMI fos,ered
The reigning sultan has not been loss
Jealous than his father in his efforts to give
force aud STABILITY 10 hi empire, by raising
the moral ami potical siCiits OF his subjects
He has however, met with lever difficulties
The nations pride hs> been touched. AMI
Abdul Me,lid no longer finds unwilling coad
tutors. but enthusiastic supporters, lie haS
purified The public mind and directed il TO
higher and better aims than the pleasure ii
the passing hour. Old prrJudices have IA
tlsd into forgetts,ne~s. Those reforms which
had, At first appeared invested with all the
horrors Of useless changVs, have gradually
h.,xy,,n n be- understood ard welcomed by