Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1880-08-07
THE TURK.

his career, were in his life time united
and the foundation laid for the won-
derful conquests of the Saracens. At
the death of the false prophet his tenn
poral and religious dominion included
and was limited to the Arabian penin-
sula; with Mecca as its capital.
Abubeker was his successor. In
the first year Of his reign both the
Roman and Persian empires were in
vaded by his fanatical and wariike
hordes. Accept the religion of Mo-
homet or death was the only alterna-
tives offered to all idolatrons nations.
While Christians. Jews, Magians, and
Sabians were permitted their ancient
faiths on condition of humiliation and
tribute.
Within seven years, all OF Asia west
from the Oxus TO Asia Minor and the
valley of the Jordan and Egypt. were
reduced TO subsection and Islam pre-
vailed in these countries as the accept
ed religion. Extending their con-
quests along the north coast Of Africa
to the pillars -of Hercules. thence in
vited by division among the visigoths,
they passed over into Spain. and with
in So years after the death OF Mahom-
ct his name was invoked at the base
of the Pyrenees. After these successes
the seat OF empire was fixed for time
at Damascus. In its fruitful valleys,
rich from the spoils of successful war,
these Arabs ofthe desert forgot their
abstcmious habits. lost their furious
zeal, and the power OF the Sarcenic
empire waned rapidly and by civil
strifes was ere long dismembered; but
all parts still adhered firmly to Islam
ism. There was another change of
DYNASTY accomplished in the middle of
the eighth century within forty years
after the conquest of Spain; and the
capital was changed TO Bagdad. 1t
was here during the reign Of the Alb
bassides, extending over about two
hundred years, that the Turk first ap-
peared as a historic character; and
the way was prepared for him to usurp
the power of the empire and complete
the triumph of the religion Of Ma
homet in western Asia, and fix its seat
of power on the western shore of the
Bosporous. The Turk was Of the
Tartar family, more rude and ferocious
than the Arab. His superior strength
and courage brought him distinction
among 4 people grown efeminate by
luxury. In the frequent wars wased
against Turkestan by the Caliphs,
many of its inhabitants were led into
captivity and scattered over the empire.
Jealousy of his own subjects led Caliph
Motassem to form his bodies OF guards
out of these slaves. 1t was but
natural for them to despise their weak
er masters and aspire to greater riches
and power Finally the real power of
the empire was in their hands, anG the
reigning Ca!iph had only its shadow
in the title and It's emoluments, indeed
ever the shadow was given to 4 new
officer styled Emir al Omra command
er Of commanders, to whom
was also given all the functions of
the Caliph. The Turks was a mill
tary ascendancy perfectly in harmony
with the martial spirit Of the faith
taught him by his former captors now
become his supporting subjects. For
long time no settlement was made
west of Mt. Taurus, though their vic
torious arms had been borne to the
very gates of Constantinople. In the
middle of the thirteenth century there
occurred a tremendous irruption Of
Moguls from Chinese tartary into West
ern Asia. These overthrew the Turk
ish dynasty in Persia and Syria, but 4
large remnant of Turks retired into
the mountains Of Asia minor where
they were able to defend themselves
ard prevent the further westward pro-
gress of the destructive Moguls.
Here the Turks found several petty
principalitias. The chief Of these
named Otham. near the close Of the
century conquered and ever after oc-
cupied Bithynia. Here and in neigh
boring provinces with varying fortunes
the Turks maintained themselves until
they were united and made aggressive
by Amurath II in 1927.
Every province of the Greek empire
in Western Asia and Eastern Europe
was in turn subdued; every city opened
her gates to the conquerer; but the
pulse still beat at the heart, and the
majesty of the Roman name was ulti-
mately confined to the walls of Con
stantinople. The city was spared the
horrors of seige BY the last of the