The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-07-05
The Sultan's Downfall.


I The tragic fate of Abdul Aziz impalts
renewed interest to the story of his fall
from power. The incidents which at
tended his overthrow and imprison-
ment appear to be rs follows: The min
listers assembled at the residence of the
grand vizier, and discussed the state of
public affairs. They. concluded that un.
less some radical measures were adopted
general rebellion and total collapse Of
the state would result. "A resolution
was adopted embodying these views,
and petition to the sultan was drawn
up praying him to abdicate in order to
save the country. The sultan received
the petition with affected composure,
and said he would consider the matter.
There was q great popular demonstra-
ton in the streets. The trade guilds,
headed by the softas, marched to the
sultan's palace, unopposed by the mill
tary, who were evidently disaffected.
The crowd cheered for Murad and de-
manded the downfall of Abdul Aziz. In
the meantime Murad having been re-
leased from his own house to which he
had been confined by the sultan was
conducted to the mosque and as Sultan
Murad the. Fifth, Soon after this,
Suleiman Pasha, accompanied by soldiers
and officers, informed Abdul Aziz that
the nation had deposed him, and he
should surrender the palace to bis sue
cessor. The attitude of the troops con-
vinced Aziz that resistance was 'impos-
sible. Accordingly he with his family,
household, and fifty-three boats filled
with women left the building, and were
conveyed under escort to the Tcheragan
palace.
Immediately after his overthrow re-
ports were current that the sultan had
been murdered. His fate created deep
concern in the royal courts of Europe.
Queen Victoria took steps at once to be
assured of his personal safety. The an1-
iety was allayed by telegraphic circu-
lar from the porte wherein it was stated
that the ex-sultan would be treated with
the consideration and honor due to his
person. The pavilion belonging to the
Tcheragan palace, on the Bosphorus,
had been assigned him as residence.
This building is a wooden structure,
with fine platform built out before it
to the waters edge. Despite the Off
cial assurance rumors have been current
that the ex-sultan would be sent to Asia
Minor, where it would be out of his
power to disturb the government. IT
may have been fears of this step, as well
as the hostility of the new vizier, which
led Abdul Aziz to commit suicide. The
leading incidents of his career, in brief,
are as follows: He was the son OF a san
culinary despot and was born in 1880.
He assembled the Ottoman throne in
1861, and for several years gave promise
of being wise and prudent ruler. he
failed, however, to carry out the reform
he initiated and allowed the state tc
drift into insolvency and disorder. Dur
ing his reign there we're revolts in Crete
and Herzegovina. The weakness he be-
trayed in dealing with the latter caused
the disaffection which resulted in hil
fall.
His death removes all pretext for no
recognizing his successor on the groune
of informality. It was understood tina
Servia would refuse to pay tribute tt
Sultan Murad until that question wa
settled,