The New York herald., 1868-05-30


In our issue Of yesterday we published .
letter from the pen of our special correspondents
at Constantinople. The letter was full Of inte-
resting details and rich with the reflections ofs
veteran Observer ~
That which is most interesting to the world
generally and to the American public in parti-
cular is the proof which the letter furnishes Of
the fact that Turkey has entered upon q new
and reforming era. It is now long since we
began in the pages of the HERALD to show that
if Turkey would only conform her institutions
as nearly as possible to the popular models Of
the age she might succeed not only in disarm-
ing her enemies, but in securing for herself Q
new and hopeful lease of life. It was our be-
lief that the visit paid by the Sutton to Western
Europe-a visit which was in itself an innova-
ton upon the ancient policy of the Osmanhs--
could not fail to prove the fruitful cause Of
many useful reforms. The result, which has
been somewhat slow in revealing itself, justt6es
our warmest expectations, The Sultan has at
length entered with fair amount of bravery
on genuinely reforming policy.
From our correspondent we have learned
that the affairs of the empire are to be managed
no longer by the imperial mind alone or by the
imperial mind aided by a confidential minister,
but by council of state judiciously selected.
A parliament with lower and upper house is
all that is required to entitle Turkey to place
among the constitutional monarchies of the
world. The city of Constantinople itself is
about to become municipality in the modern
sense ofthe word, and to be governed after the
manner of London, Paris or New York. II ID
not impossible that when the arrangements
are completed they will be found little more
complete and effective than in any of the
above named Cities 1t is stated also
that it is the intention of the Sultan
to alter the imperial succession law. Il
is well known that the law which has
hitherto ruled at Constantinople and through
out the East generally, and which is pre-
scribed by the Koran, gives the throne not to
the nearest of kin, but to the Oldest male head
of the family. This system, as is known by
every one who has formed any acquaintance
by reading or by actual observation with the
East, has been ruinous and obstructive in
q
and form which it has nowhere else in the
world. Each successive ruler, knowing that
place and power will pass from his own family
at his death to the family of some hungry
relative-cousin or uncle or brother-feels that
it is his chief duty to enrich himself while he
lives and while the opportunity lasts. Tho
patriarchal system, as it has long been known in
the East, is system of continuous pillage.
Progress in the true sense is incompatible
with such system. The ruler for the
time being is debarred from having any
true sympathy with or fatherly care Of his
people. The evils of the system have 80 been
felt that both the Shah of Persia and the Vice.
roy of Egypt haye been encouraged, even In
spite of the Koran, to alter the mode of sue
cession and to conform it to the European or
Western model. The Sultan, it appears, has
resolved on q similar course, and we have
little doubt that he will be successful. Our
correspondent mentions one circumstance which
shows how completely old barriers are break
ing down in the highest Mohammedan circles.
The Sheik-ul- Islam, or chief of the Mussulman
religion and the constant spiritual adviser Of
his Majesty the Sultan, has been rather
unceremoniously dismissed. The prevailing
opinion at Constantinople is that he had begun
to be felt to be an obstruction in the way Of
the Sultan's reform plans. All these things
indicate the current which has set in and Il
is reasonable to presume that Turkey will at
no distant day take her place among the hope
full and progressive nations of modern times.
Much yet remains to be done, much especially
in the way of securing absolute equality in
matters of religion; but progress is visible
already even in this direction. The Turkish
Minister at Washington is proof of this, and
he is only one of many. We hail all these
hopeful signs. Reform is Turkeys only chance
of salvation. Let her 60 on; let the steam
engine, the electric telegraph, the railroad and
other modern appliances be more largely
patronized, and all will be well; but let her
halt, and the tide will roll over and pass her
and her opportunity will be lost forever.
THE PRESIDENCY. There is split in the
ranks of the republican party that nothing can
heal. Rampant radicals refuse such associa-
ton with the anti-impeachment Senators a.
admits that these latter are in the party. Re
publicanism, therefore, commits suicide; for
the words of Mr.. Henderson in the Senate are
true 1.-THE party that requires its adherents
to perjure themselves must crumble to pieces"
In its course against these Senators the party
fixes not their ''doom," but its own. So much
the better for the country. This makes
great field for the opposition. If the democrats
are wise enough to nominate man the con-
servative republicans can join them on they
win win. That man is Chase. With him they
should put such stanch old soldier and
democrat as General Dix. Chase and Dix il