, 1877-07-27
The Turkish "SOftas."

We have heard great deal, duripo tbs
past year, of the "Softas" of Constants.
nople, and their doings there. 1t was the
oottas who, about year ago, succeeded
in deposing the Sultan, Abdul Asi1
from the throne, and soon after biS
nephew and successor, Murad V. II was
they who insisted that Midbat Psoba
should be Grand Vizier, and who again
threatened the throne of Abdul Ha4id
when that statesman was dismissed.
Who are the Softas, and how is if tbat
they have so much power at the Turkish
capital!
In order to understand this, we must
first see what the relation is between ra-
llgion and civil government in Turkey
The Koran is not only, like the Bible
with us, the Turks religious law and
guide; it is also his political constitution
and charter. There is, therefore, an in
innate connection between the Turkish
priests and the teachers of the political
law. The priests and law professors COM
prise together a separate class, who are
known under the general name of
"Ulema"
The "Ulema" are all under the control
of the "Sheik- ul-Islam," who is the biob
priest of the Mohammedan faith. The
priests are distinguished from the pro-
fessors by name; the former rlbeina called
'Mollahs, +" and the latter "Muftis."
Now the 'Softas" are simply students,
who are preparing, in the public colleges
of ConstantinOple, to be either Mollshs
or Muftis. Both of these classes are edu-
Gated in the same colleges, and go through
very similar courses of study. Thus the
Sottas become either priests or lawyers or
teachers of the law.
The "Ulema" have great privileges,
and are sort of caste, or aristocracy.
They do not have to pay taxes; their
property is hereditary in their families,
and cannot be seized by the State; their
persons are sacred, aud their blood can
not be shed, and they are exempt from
military service.
The colleges where the Softas are edu-
Gated are called "medresschs," and are
attached to the various Moslem monaster-
les in and near Constantinople; and as
the students are lodged and fed free, in
houses founded by rious Mohammedsns,
and are destined to become so powerful,
very large numbers of young Turks enter
themselves rs SOftas.
There used to be in Turkey a class of
military men called Janissaries, who we're
wont to revolt against the Sultan, and
sometimes deposed and executed him.
These were put down early in this century,
and the part they played in oVerthrowing
Sultans, and forcing changes Of govern
ment, seems to have passed into the hands
of this half-religious, hAlf-legal body Of
the Softas.
The first article of their creed, and the
first motive Of their actions, is unalterable
devotion to the religion of Mohammed.
The second, is their resolve to maintain
the Turkish Empire without the loss of
foot of territory. They deposed Abdul
Asiz because they suspected him Of be-
ing too much influenced by the advice
of foreigners; and Murad, because they
deemed him mentally incapable Of de-
Tending the State; and, above all, the
religion to which they are fanatically de-
voted. They are fanaticaI, fierce and
domineering, and their possible influence
upon the Mohammedan population Of
Turkey is SO much feared, that neither
the Turkish Parliament nor the Sultan
think it wise to oppose their demands.