The Osceola times., 1877-07-07
TURKEYS DECLINE.
The steady Disiatesration Of the Once
Powerful Ottoman Empire,

I'OWerIut OtOmhm EmPtrfs
In the first half of the sixteenth cen.
tury, during the reign OF Sultan Sulie-
man. the Turkish empire had gained
control of its greatest reach OF terri
tory. At that time the armies Of the
sultan had gone 80 far west and north
as TO have their cncampments pitched
under the very walls of the city OF
Vienna The capital of Austria was
really in great danger Of falling prey
te the rapacity OF the Turks. The then
kingdom of Hungary had almost fallen
under the power OF that masterly ruler.
Roumania. Servis, Greece, the islands
in the Egan and the present posses
sions in Asia and Africa were all firmly
in his grasp. Turkey was then notably
one Of the most powerful empires, as it
is now one of the weakest aud most
loosely constructed governments, known
to civilization. 1t gave manifestations
at that time, of its greatest vigor. The
reign Of Sulieman was its golden age
Compared with other periods OF its own
history, Turkey was cause of great
alarm to all Christendom. The world
stood in complete awe of her power
The Turks were, at that time, in control
Of the best part Of three continents
where man had made his greatest achieve.
ments in arts, literature, culture, refine
ment, religion and civil government
This region was the very paradise of
human grandeur in the whole history of
mankind.
The first great triumphs sf power on
the part of the Turk were achieved in
the destruction of every visible sign of a
former civilization, and the reduction of
the inhabitants OF those beautiful coun-
tries TO a condition Of primitive helpless
ness and vassalage. Having fairly ac.
complished all this, his only anxiety
seems to have been to keep his subjects
in this abject condition of helplessness
and oppression.
Austria was the first power that offered
successful resistance to the victorious
Turks in their encroachment on the
west. From this time onward the
Turkish empire began gradually to
wane. After century's sway over
Hungary, the ancient Kingdom of the
Magyars was re.established; and the
Turks removed their encampment far
away from Buda--gradually retreating
10 more limited quarters. The black
sea, which had been for centuries com
pletely within the limits of the Turkish
empire, was in part given up; and little
by little Russia, continuing her encroach.
ments on the north and east, has gained
peaceable possession of two sides of that
great inland sea.
In 1910 Servia's repeated revolutions
against the power of turkey came to
successful termination. Her home rule
was acknowledged by the porte, and has
also been maintained to the present time.
In 1866 Moldavia and Wallachia were
recognized under the name and title of
Roumania, with the right and authority
of managing their internal aRairs-on the
condition of paying nominal tribute,
and in turn acknowledging the
sultan as their feudal lord. A few
days ago Servia ana Roumania both
declared their independence of the porte,
and they are now ready to support
their position by the arbitrament of
the sword. In 1921 gallant little Hellas
struck for revolution and independence,
and, after several years of dire conflict
and extreme suffering, in 1929 her indie
pendence was so acknowledged by the
porte. Thus, within the limits of about
two centuries, there has been chopped
away from this once formidable empire
territory enough to furnish homes for
about $4,000, 900 souls.
Tunis, Egypt and Syria are to day
held by only slender cord. Any sud.
den revolution may burst the tie that
still holds them slbservient to the en-
pfc. Nearly all of Armenia has within
one month yielded its control to Russia
victorious arms. At the present rate OF
progress, it will not be long before large
part of the southern shore of the Black
sea is destined to be in the power of
Russia by the right and rule of conquest.
What shall we say OF Epirus, Thes.aly
Macedonia and Bugalii? These are only
waiting for good opportunity to carry
revolt TO successful termination.
This is indeed a sad, yet truthful, pic.
ture Of the condition of the once-power.
ful Ottoman empire. Can IL long survive
the present attacks threatening on every
| hand . (Nic1ro Iou,.ouT