The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-05-22

| ming OF the lne elgnln century, linen
they crossed into Spain, conquered pro-
vince after province, then into Gaul
where they met their first great defeat
near Tours, in 1872. They advanced into
China, swept over Judea, establishing
great empires, and mastered a portion Of
the Greek Empire. Then they were ia
turn oyerrun by the Tartar tribes, led by
the Turks, but these adopted the religion
Of the people they conquered and became
its champions, and in 1913 they cap
tured Constantinople. This was the
golden ago Of MOhammedanism, and the
Ottoman Empire was at the zenith Of IL
power. Forty years aiterwari the No,
hammedans were forced out OF Western
Europe, and there has been n gradual de-
cline ever since, There came dissenEiOnH
in their own ranks, and they divided into
two great secls, the Sunnites and Shiahs
Instead Of the wonderful unity and en-
thusinsm that had prevailed, hostility
on the part Of one sect for the other was
developed. The Mohammedans Of the
Ottoman Empire, Of Arabia, Turklstan
and Africa, are Sunnites, and the Per
slams and the MohammGdans Of India,
Shiahs. 1t ia estimated that OF both sects
there are now one hundred and fifty mil.
lions in Europe, Asia and Africa, fully
one hundred millions being in Asia.
Mohammedanism was we'll calculated
10 influence idolatrous and superstitiouS
nations. Its PRONUNCIATION and rapid rise
in power we're ut time when the Chris
tiun religion was beset by enemies on all
sides. 1t ia noticeable that in no case
did Christian nation conquered by a
Mohammedan nation espouse the Mo-
hammedan religion. Mohammedanism
succeeded against n lower type Of civili-
cation, but never against u higher. 1t
overran the Roman Empire Of the East,
but the Christians remain Christians to
this day.
As the Koran, written twelve hundred
years ago, with Arabic life in mind, fur.
nishcs the political system for Moham.
medan nations, they have made little
progress. Arabia has gone backward
instead Of forward, Persia has lost her
ancient glory and Turkey made no pro.
gress until iorcedto accept Western pc.
litical philosophy. Mohnmmedan ma.
tions have stood stubbornly at the line
drawn in 1852 and have refused TO nd.
vance, asking nothing and desiring moth.
ing beyond what is outlined in the Koran.
In the meantime the Christian nations
that covered at one time at the feet OF
the Moslcm cODquerors have, with few
exceptions, been moving forward. What
ia known as the civilized world is nearly
all Christian, and the nations are strong
and wealthy. MOhommedanism is strong
among the tribes Of Africa and the mona.
die nations Of Asia. With these facts in
mind we come TO the consideration Of the
probable results in case the Sultan
should unfurl the flag Of the Prophet and
call upon all Mohammedans to ilin in a
holy war. lie would forfeit all claim TO
support from those nations which now
support Turkey, not because she il
MOhammedan, but because she is
European. In tie old days Of holy
wars it was easy to arm and cIothe n
MACS OF adventurous soldiers; but, sup
pose the MOhammedanS OF Africa and
Asia poured into Russia, they would
come az blrbarous horde, indiiTerentIy
armed and without discipline, and against
the discipline and armamcnts OF modern
warfare they would have little chance Of
success. Such movement would be the
signal for new combinations in Europe.
The Christian nations would coon be n
unitin driving back the horlcs animated
by an anti.Christian fanaiicism, and the
result would be the end OF the Ottoman
Empire.
The Sultan will not take such course
unless he is prepared to cut loose from
all European alliances, or unless he de-
spairS Of help from European nations.
Ii he does take it, he plays into the hands
OF Russia and hastens his own downfall.
1t is questionable whether such an appeal
would rouse the rival sects of Moham.
medans to the old war spirit of Cnthusi-
asm, but even ii the response was not
general, Russia would snller. The i'm.
partance Of the event cannot be over.
rated, as it would mark new era in
European politics. The uniurling Of the
flag OF the Prophet would arouse the old
spirit Of warfare; it would be bad for
Europe, bad for Mohammcdanism and
fatal to Turkey.