The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-07-12

.s.....JUh1 IL, lS76.E
[From the Baltimore Americana
Montenegro and Scryia.
The Tyrco-Servian war has had the effect
and character OF the populations in the |
southeast OF Europe, and the spirit OF In
curry thus excited viii have the effect Of
dispelling many erroneous impressions.
The popular notions in regard to the Mon
tenegrins, Herzegoyinesc, and Servians,
now occupying conspicuous position upon
the theatre OF war, arc vague and made
ouatc. Even so wellinformed q journal rs
the New York Times likcns the Montene-
grims to the Sioux Indians, and speaks Of
their women as squaws--a comparison apt
to lead to the widest misapprehensions.
Montenegro is 4 portion OF the Servian
Kingdom, which in the fourteenth century
included the greater portion OF what is. now
Turkey in Europe, rs well as the contiguous
Sclayic provinces OF Austria. In 1889 the
Servian Car, Stephen Dushau, and his
forces, were defeated with great slaughter,
and the independence of Servia went down
in the wreck OF its great army. Montene-
gro, which is known by Its own people rs
Cernegora, however, maintained its indie
pendence under kings derived from the Ser
Wan dynasty on the female side. Doubtless
its natural defences conferred upon it this
ability, for 1t is mere spot OF territory with
mountains for its ramparts. The natives
say OF the place that God in sowing rocks
dropped his bag there. But its natural de-
fences would not have availed were it not
for the stout hearts behind them. The
Turks have several times penetrated to Get
TIME and laid the capital OF tie little State
in nftQr
population always rose in arms again, and
while every other portion Of Southeastern
Europe lay under the heel Of the Turk,
Montenegro preserved its freedom. The
warfare between the Turk and the Christian
was carried on with q barbarity that bcgat
its imitation, and up to within a quarter OF
century ago the towers OF Cettinic were
frequently ornamented with Turkish heads.
A curious feature of Montenegrin history
is that the nation was ruled by fighting
bishops for long period OF time. In the
beginning OF the sixteenth century thereign-
ing prince withdrew to Venice, having, with
the consent of his subjects, transferred the
supreme power to the Bishop of the Greek
Church, who was head Of the Church in
Montenegro, thus combining spiritual and
civil power in the same hands. The Epis-
copal princes were valiant fighters, and some
OF the greatest victories OF the Montcnegrins
were won under their leadership. Such 4
one was the great battle OF 1871, when the
reigning Bishop Peter, after three days
engagement, defeated an invading force and
carried of the head Of its commander to adorn
the tower at Cettinje. This head-taking
custom has died out, but although revolt
ing barbarity, it must be remembered that
the Montenegrins had barbarous enemy to
deal with, and q century ago Temple Bar,
in London, used occasionally to wear SINH
lar embellishments. The last two rulers OF
the Montenegrins have been lay princes.
The New York Times, commenting upon
the fact that the work OF cultivating the
ground largely devolyes upon the Montene-
grin women, draws n parallel between their
condition and those OF Indian squaws, which
is very fallacious. With male population
constantly under arms and engaged in in
cessant warfare, it Is not singular that farm
work should largely devolvc upon women.
The constant absorption OF ali the energy
and thought of the nation in defensive VAL
fare is also sufficient explanation OF
the neglect of education which pre-
vailed in Montenegro until comparatively 4
recent period. In MI Servian communities,
however, education is fostered, and Monte
negro has made rapid progress during the
last thirty years. The decline OF Turkey in
military vigor has caused it to adopt policy
has enabled that State to devote its energies
to sclf-improyement with great results. The
historian Freeman, who has recently given
an account OF visit paid by him to the
capital Of the country, states that the insti-
tuition in which most pride is taken is q
model girls school, the celebrity and repu-
tation OF which is such that pupils arc
sent to it from the neighboring Austrian
provinces. While in the department OF
female education Montenegro is declared to
be ga missionary CENTRE" the education OF
the male population is so thoroughly cared
for that it is declared that illiteracy will be
extinct in the next generation. \ promi-
nent characteristic Of the population is their
great hospitality. Montenegro has for GEN.
turtles been place Of refuge for the op-
pressed, aud ut times has to feed and pro-
vide for rs many rs 10000 fugitives at
time. The personal proves of the Monte
negrins is too we'll known to require COM
mcnt. Every man is 4 warrior, and the
carving OF urms is habitual with the male
population. Their Government is auto
cratic, the Prince being assisted by coun-
Gil Of representative men OF his own chooS-
ing.
Servia, the other combatant in behalf Of
the oppressed Christians Of Bosnia and Her
zesovina, is immensely superior to Monte
negro in extent OF territory, amount OF pop
ulation and natural resources. After its
overthrow with the rest OF the Scrvian
Kingdoms in the fourteenth century it
remained under Turkish rule until early in
the present century. In 1904 number OF
desperate men, the victims of Turkish spo-
liations, under the leadership Of chieftain
named Black George, maintained guerrilla
warfare against the Turks. Their success
invited the people to a rebellion which was
once successful so far that the country was
cleared OF the Turks, but in 1872 the Turks
defeated the insurgents and overrun the
country, committing the most horrible afro
cities. Even after the complete suppression
Of the rebellion the marrying OF the unfor-
tunato people went on until, driven to des-
peration, they rose again in 1916 under the
leadership OF DIilosch Obrenovitch, the
founder OF the present dynasty. After Il
long and terrible struggle the people OBJ
tanned for themselves the right OF self-gov-
eminent, paying 4 small annual tribute to
the Porte.
The form OF government is 4 constitu-
tional monarchy, an ancient and important
institution being the Skouptchina, or parla-
ment elected by universal manhood suf-