Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-05-25
From Our Regular Corrsspondsntl
Our European Letter.

tNNDC4Nt A@Ae.'f
In the midst of the generally dull record
Of European events. il is refreshing to
have sudden variation in the shape Of a
romantic and exciting story from Constan-
tInople-a story full of oriental splendor
and color, and in thorough harmony with
all that we have heard and known of
Turkish character for centuries. 1t appears
that the sultan has been amusing himself
in the leisure intervals between contem-
plation of the Greek notes and considera-
ton of the most pressing claim of western
creditors. with an investigation of the
manner in which his unlucky predecessor,
Abdul-Aziz the Magnificent, came to his
death. With the aid of one of the menu
bers of the state council he has discovered
that Abdul. Aziz did not commit suicide,
but was assassinated-a conviction preva-
lent enough in Europe at the time of the
sultan's appearance-and that his high
functionaries, one of them the brother-in-
law Of the present ruler of the faithful,
were concerned in the dastardly deed
These two offenders were called before
the sultan few days ago, and he was ut
first inclined to have them executed at
once, and told them so, but finally decided
to let the law take its course. A wresl Ter
who held Abdul-Aziz and another man
who bled him to death have been arrested
and will be punish ID as their crime merits.
Sueiman Pacha is also said to know
something about the affair, and he Is sum-
moned from the exile in which he has been
living at Bagdad to give his testimony,
Perhaps the sultan will have him put in %
the Bosphorus. He himself is said to live
in perpetual fear of assassination, and he
will probably show himself merciless for
any persons found implicated in palace
intrigues for the murder of sovereigns.
To be threatened " is fast becoming the
hall mark of greatness. Dynamite seems
to be principally reserved for crowned
heads. pistol or dagger for offensive auto.
Gratis or obstinate ministers, and vitriol or
fsls-cayenne or a cudgeling-for meaner
mortals. Thus not TO be threatened at al
will soon be tantamount to the acknowl-
edgment that we are poor creatures with
neither place nor power in the world. But
threats, however loud or deep, break no
bones Mr.. Gladstone has been in the
meantime taking his unprotected strolls in
the budding glades of Hawarden, and
wondering why he can't be left there
instead of submitting to the urgent finger
that beckons him again to public lfe-to
the strife and turmoil of political contro-
versy, and to the coldly severe features of
architectural Downing street.
Matters are getting noisy again in the
house of commons. Bradaugh is very
trying bone of contention by way Of offset
to the Irish difficulty which threatens tc
become more difficult than ever. The
house and the government do not know
what to do with BradIaugh, while they
have not yet made up their minds on the
Irish question. Pa-nell is staggering
under the burden of his leadership, and i
looks as though even his few steadfas
followers are losing confidence in thei
leaders. This may be all the better fo
the Irish land bill, and the drift of popu
lar as well as ecclesiastical opinion in
Ireland seems TO be in the wise direction
of getting rs much as they can first, anC
fighting for the rest after, leaving al
Quixotic knight-errantry to the Quixotes
Lord Salisbury has been elected to fill the
place left vacant by the death of Lore
Beacansfeld. All things considered, hit
choice seemed the most natural one. H,
is man of power and place and historic
family. AS to his remarkable ability
whether in attack or defense, there is M
possible question. The only question witt
him is one of temper. If he can contro
that-that is to say, if he can control him
self--the tory party will have found {
leader after their own heart Lord Bea
consfield was never after their own heart
for which reason he succeeded in leading
them to victory.
AUGUST.