The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-03-17
Turkey.


Whatever may be the termination OF ths
pending uncertainty as to further and more
general war in the East, the Turkish En-
pire will probably never again be permitted
to harass its Christian su5jects as hereto
fore. II Russian power should replace
that of the Porte, the Church would profit
nothing Immediately by the exchange. In
deed, 80 far as we can judge, Catholics are
more violently persecuted in Russia than in
Turkey, But it will be something to have
one enemy the less. Should Turkey retain
it's former boundaries, it will no doubt Do
under guarantees of freedom for the
Christian religion; if Russia should re-
place her, then the Church will have but
one enemy instead of two to deal with in
Eastern Europe.
But this is not all. Turkey has received |
o shock which no turn that events can take |
will ever neutralize, and that shock has
affected the whole of Mohammedanism
Mahomet and his religion are reproduced
and represented in the person of the Sui
tan, and he has been utterly defeated and
humiliated. Without foreign interven-
ton the Russian armies could now chase
him from Constantinople, expel the Cres.
cent from the soil of Europe, and even
drive it fugitive through the deserts of
Asia. Net only European, bat Asistic,
Turkey is completely at the mercy OF the
Czar. If his victorious career is arrested,
it will not be by the power of Mahomedan
> arms, and all Mussulmans everywhere un-
c derstand the fact. The military prowess
3 of Mahomedanism is gone forever.
But that religion was one essentially
= military in it's character and surroundings.
Q Its apostleship was war, and it's conversions
r were at the point of the sword. Feeble
d ness, division, dsorganization among its
Q enemies-theee were the conditions ofits tri'
d umph and the occasions of its ferocity. 1r
10 the periods of it's earlier career it founc
q these conditions among the European ma
= tions. Pagan barbarian had overrun tina
Of continent and Christian civilization wa
a still struggling with the flood. Barbara
l. elements still largely prevailed in the shap
of feudal divisions and race antagonisms
T. Eastern civilization was not yet entirel
j. degenerate, and Mahomedanism with it
I'D alluriug doctrines of conquest and sensu
in ality soon combined the Asiatic popula
re tions in one fiery food of ruthless fanat
ng cism.
ial No wonder that it obtained a lodgemer
We on the outskirts of Europe. The onl
wonder is that it has been permitted
retain it up to this time. The condition
of Mahomedan power are, however, no
wanting, Europe is too strong, Christie
10 civilization too we'll established, to perm
ou any hope of successful invasion or comp
10 tition on it's part. The success on whi'
In its evil strength fed is no longer possibl
mt and with that food its cause of existen
mas ceases. Some great, tangible, undeniab
enu proof of this was necessary in order to ma
'ter the Mahomedan populations feel that the
ans day is over, and that if they cherish thu
d ls religion henceforth, it must be for it's or
un sake and not for it's opportunities.
tne But Mahomedanism has no spiritl
lore charm or beauty, and, the sword bel
up smitten from it's hand, Catholcity has
vi to advance and captivate the lands whi
sue it has 60 long rendered desolate.
8 to |