The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-22

ON n Visit 10 Europe.
we learn by recent advices from CONSTANT
nople that the Sultan intends shortly to visit
France and England. II this be correct--and
we have no reason to doubt the source of our
information-we may truly say that Turkey is
undergoing transformation unparalleled in
its history, and which will take Europe by sur
prise.
The bigotry of Mohammedan fanaticism and
the antagonistic prejudices of Orientalism
against Western habits and ideas, have, until
recently, been very powerful. Mahmoud, in
measure, overcame these by his energy and
perseverance. He endeavored to assimilate his
people to the civilization of Europe. But even
he did not dare to dispense with time honored
and fundamental usages, nor brave the opposi-
ton OF the ulemas or clergy. He desired to
send his son, Abd-ul-Medjid, the late Sultan, to
Europe, In company with Ahmed Fethi Pasha;
but he was cooly told that if he did So Medjid
could not succeed him on the throne of Osman.
Ii, then, prince apparent could not leave the
country for foreign parts, how much more diff
cult for the sovereign himself to do so-for
hitherto no Sultan has ever travelled beyond
bis own dominions Yet we are informed that
the Sultan of Turkey is shortly to visit Europe.
Ii this project is really accomplished, wonder
full change has come over the whole nation.
Even the ulemds themselves have begun to see
the wisdom Of cultivating the friendship Of
G.aours
From the day Of the Inauguration the character
of the new Sultan has been anxiously scanned,
on account Of existing prejudices against him,
based on unfavorable and contradictory re-
school of ancient Mohammedanism, and conse-
qucntly averse to progressive improvement and
civilization; and this belief was confirmed by
the sympathy which was always evinced in his
behalf by the retrograde party, who looked for
ward to the day of his accession to the throne
with the hope that their own power would be
restored. But no sooner is he on the throne
than his liberal acts and liberal policy not only
belied all these rumors, but took by surprise all
Europe, as well as his own people,
| 1t is true that the late Abd-ul-Mediid was too
yielding in his disposition; but he was in favor
Of remodelling the empire, and the state Of the
country and the Crimean war did not induce
much the cultivation Of the arts of peace during
his reign. But the utility of such powerful
friends as England and France was amply de-
mOnstrated to all classes of the people. From
the palace to the hamlet, wherever Mussulmans
lived and loved their country, the English and
the French. hitherto denizens of terra incoq-
nito, became familiar and household words. The
immense influx Of foreigners into Turkey during
| and after the war also familiarized the people
with European usages, and opened many new
paths for friendly enterprise. So, in reality,
the country progressed immensely towards the
desired assimilation. Such being the prepare
tory process, the people were ready to receive
new Sultan like Abd-ul-AzM, who, with
energy of purpose and q will of his own,
showed that be was indeed the son of Mahmoud,
the heir presumptive Of the father who had ini-
| tiated the reformation. Immediately after his
accession, when he assumed the reins of govern
ment, he declared his own policy in the most
unequivocal terms. He set his face at once
against all maladministration and corruption;
sent his silver plate to the mint to be coined into
money, the jcwelry to England, where it was
sold at auction, to pay the debts of his deceased
brotheE reduced his own household, and de-
clared his intention to do equal justice to all.
Yet, such is the force of preconceved ideas that,
Notwithstanding all his liberal and reformatory
measures his acts are still scrutinized, and inter-
pretatons given to them perversive of truth.
For instance, staying in the mosque longer than
his late brother was wont to do, or often perus-
ing the Koran, are taken as indications Of his
innate fanatical proclivities: as if patriotism
and craftsmanship could not co-exist with reli-
gion or were utterly inconsistent with Moham-
mechanism.
| The reforms which he has accomplished are
| of such q nature, however, as not to admit of
ambiguity. His self-denial in his own house
hold, though praiseworthy in itself when the re-
duction Of the harem is taken into consideration,
is direct attack upon ancient usages. Mo
hammedan law allows four wives to ordinary
| men, and to the only one extraordinary
viz: the Sultan-as many as seven, in
order to make sure of heirs to the throne.
Hence to the ordinary man is allowed the choice
whether to possess one wife OF to enrich him.
self with four; but the Sultan has not the same
prerogatives on account of his obligations to
the throne But the present Sultan has no
doubt taken the liberty to centre his affections
on one wife, because so many royal heirs al
ready exist, leaving the responsibility Of still
future provisions to some one of his successors
Besides, the royal princes, who used to be shut
up, are now not only free to move about, but
appointed to different posts of responsibility
one at the Porte, another at the Navy Depart
ment, and third at the War Department. and
the son Of the Sultan himself is corporal in
the Imperial Guard. These are palpable facts
and incapable of misconstruction, for they speak
for themselves
There is no doubt he has spent his youth profit
ably, and coming to the throne as he does in full
manhood, is determined to emulate the great mo-
march whose life and actions be has thoroughly
studied. By faithful perusal of the work of
the favorito Turkish author-the "Yacobaky-
Tariky," or the history of Catherine H.
he has doubtless been inspired with
L