The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-07-14

Ou April 20, Ine sultan ABDUL
Hamid, addressing the Turkish army,
said: "The fatherland is in danger. 1t
is my duty to take in my hand the ban
ner of the Caliphate and 90 into the
midst Of my soldiers-to sacrifice, if nee
essary, my life for the independence of
the Empire and the honor and life of our
women and children" Many readers
would like, perhaps, to know some details
of this banner, and of its wonderful in
tiuence upon the mind of those who be-
lieve in MOhammed and his " Koran" 1t
might interest them therefore, if l give
here some observations on the subject.
The banner of the Caliphate, to which
the Sultan alludes in his speech, is that
which the Turks call 1.-THE Heavenly
Standard" and, in their language "Bair-
ack." Its color is green, and they believe
it to have been the banner of the Prophet
MOhammed, delivered to him by the
angel Gabriel, through the medium of
Ayesha, as an indubitable token of vic
tory over their enemies. This standard
was formerly laid up in the Treasury of
the Sultan at Constantinople, but is now
kept in the Mosque at Eyoob, where the
new Sultans on the day of their corona
ton grid on the saber of the Caliphate.
In case of any serious struggle, relig-
iOus duty compels the Sultan to give
orders to the "Mullas," or Mohammedan
clergy, to display the Prophets standard
before the people and army, and proclaim
Al-Jehad," or the holy war, by exhort-
ing the Moslems to be faithful to their
religion and defend their Kingdom.
"This is the Prophets banner" the
Sheik-ul-Islam eXclaims: "this is the
standard of the Caliphate; it is set up
before you and displayed over your
heads, 0 true believers, to announce to
you that your religion is threatened,
your Caliphate in danger, and your lives,
wives, children, and property exposed to
be the prey of your cruel enemies! Any
Moslem, therefore, who refuses to take
his arms and follow this holy Bairack is
an intidel, and must, therefore, suffer
condemnation.
Such an expedient has always produced
wonderful effects among those who con
fess the Mohammedan religion. All
good Moslems are considered as being di-
vorced from their wives, ipsO .fdct0 if
they refuse to make haste, take up their
arms, follow the banner of the Caliphate
and fight against the enemy of their relig-
ion and Kingdom. 1t is confirmed by
trustworthy historians that the standard
of the Caliphate has been always kept
with extraordinary care and reverence
that even the Janssaries, who were often
disrespectful to the Sultans, trembled at
the sight of his holy ensign. Only one
instance of disrespect to the heavenly
standard is related in the Turkish annals.
This happened in 1868, when Hassan
Pasha, at the head of aseditious faction,
waged war with his legitimate sovereign.
The Sultan gave orders, as usual, to dis
play the banner of the Caliphate, with
view to induce Hassan Pasha and his
parties to obey and respect the Head of
Islam. Hassan Pasha seems to have been
of little faith, inasmuCh as when he saw
the sacred banner displayed he turned
his back to it and to the eXhorting
Mullas, and gave orders to his soldiers to
fight fiercely and carry on the war to the
end.
Notwithstanding all historical facts
with regard to the non. genuineness of the
green" banner, the Moslems have al
ways believed, and still believe, that the
green banner which they possess is the
true Lewa," or standard, delivered to
Mohammed by divine ordinance is an
"indubitable token of victory" This
strong faith compels them in conscience
to carry their arms and follow it when