Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-05-31
IEMPNIS APPEAL
EGYPT AND THE EGYPTIANS.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 81, 1882
EGYPT AND THE EGYPTIANS.
The condition of things in Egypt is fast
coming to a crisis, in which France and Eng
land, who are both taking an active over
sight of things in that cOuntry-in which
each of them have important interests-will
be compelled 10 assume decided policy. IL
they interfere by force in the quarrel, the re-
suit may be dissatisfaction on the part of
some of the other European nations. If
they refrain from doing so, the Turkish sui
tan will interpose his authority. This inter-
position is what the sultan has been laboring
to accomplish, for it is he who has fostered
the disturbing element that he may extend
his own power once more over land where
his authority for forty years has been but
name. The army are the real masters of the
country, and its general Arab, makes use OF
his position to lector it over the khedive,
the Egyptian sovereign; and he has so far
succeeded in his schemes, owing to the alb
sence Of foreign interference. The move
ment to which the khedive has to bow is
professedly against foreigners holding posi-
tions in the country. These foreign officers
are in power by an agreement with the khe-
dives government, with the object of securing
payment of the interest on the national
debt. The rebel party exclaims: Egypt
for the Egyptians" something in the style
of our former Knownothing party, but
it will be perceived there is dash of repu-
diation about the whole. All this is merely
surface matter, however; as is usual in East
ern matters, the real motive is desire on
the part of somebody and his followers 10
drive the present authorities out that they
themselves may get in. Were the people the
descendants Of those we read of in the Bible,
who were governed by the Pharoahs and
who built the pyramids, they would excite
good deal of sentimental interest IN crying
out to have Egypt for the Egyptians. The
occupants Of the land OF the Nile to-day,
however, are generally a mixed race; their
number is reckoned at $500, 900 or 5000 1000,
of which two-thirds are Mohammedans, and
all cali themselves Arabs, but are partly de-
scended from the old race. They are de-
scribed as fine looking, courteous, quick OF
apprehension and ready of wit; religious and
generally humane and hospitable. About
10000 of the inhabitants are known as Copts, |
and are acknowledged to be true descend |
ants of the ancient Egyptians There are
also many Turks, Greeks, Jews and others. |
The cultivators of the soil are known as |
Fellahs-plural, Fallahin. They are the |
most ancient of the people, and still possess |
physioguomy resembling that presented on |
the old sculptures. They are a muscular,
patient, laborious, but not labor-loving |
people; many OF them have lighter COM
plexion than the dark-skinned races around |
them, and their women are slender and grace
full, of the antique Egyptian type. Though !
having much natural intelligence they are not
skilled agriculturists except where the gov
eminent has introduced modern implements;
their methods are rude and inefficient. They
endure great fatigue, live on very mesger
fare, their women share their labors, and
they are depressed and too often oppressed
>atl- ,losPised- Poople.-At early day
christianity became prevalent in Egypt,
where ascetic observances, with monks and
hermits aiding to foster fanaticism largely
prevailed. The Church in process of time
ddNOSdbCu lucas dDOub TIC anu the |
persons composing it, which make its fol-
lowers down to this day condemn both the
Greek Church and the Romish faith as heret- /
ical. They have monks, confession and
many other observances similar to those of
the two other sects. The Copts are the
descendants of the original Egyptian chris
tians, and have suffered bitter persecution
from the Mahommedans, which has greatly
decreased their numbers. ClementpO rigen,
Cyril and other great names
belong to this section of the Church. Their
Gturgies are very ancient, and they have the
full Episcopal system of bishops and clergy.
Their service is conducted in the ancient
Coptic language, whose original, before suf-
feriDg some admixture of Greek and Arabic,
was the daughter of the sacred language of
The ancient priests, and through the Coptic,
as preserved by this people, the learned are
able to read the hieroglyphics and the ]
oapyri discovered with the mummies. The {
name Copt is from Chem or Chemi, the .
Ham" cursed by Noah, Chemi on the
Rosetta stone. 1t signifies shot," and
refers to the Southern regions allotted
10 the defendants of Ham, related in
the tenth chapter of Genesis. The :
Copts to-day are a people of much ;
'sgacity, and are generally fairly educated,
70 that they are usually tradesmen, scribes,
overseers or officials; they are skilful archi- Il
ects and workers in metals, but fanatical, {
md are usually hostile to christians of other ,
ec,s There is much Journalism in their |
.eligion, and their Church dignitaries are
'ften accused of grasping covetousness. From !
he variety of races and the absence of homo |
gently, it will be seen that Egypt for The i
Egyptians" scarcely carries with it that idea i
II love to common fatherland which we, {
whose various component parts of the same I
olor intermingle without distinction, apply I
o the words america for Americans" The {
truggle Is at bottom strife for power under 8
olor OF resistance to foreign officials. Arab '
wants to displace the khedive, that he may 7
eign himself. Turkey desires to recover I
Ter former power over Egypt, and uses the t
ambition of Arab and the power of the
army he commands stepping-stone 10
its end. The English and French 4
nave discovered the sultan's per6dy; Arab ,
,osed to follow their counsels, but he is I
'owerless. 1t remains to be seen what those G
powers and the European sovereigns gen. e
rally will do in this state OF affairs. ]
/;
THE IRISH AS TORIES PAINT THEM. C
The condition of things in Ireland becomes i
nore deplorable as time passes on. 1t is not t
ne of mere riot, or of the moroseness of r
nipple discomfort. 1t is one of absolute OPP L
osition. The people are in state of rebel ;
ion. They do not infringe upon the laws {
kept as respects the subject of the agita- g
ion that is carrying on, and as it respects r
hat subject English authority and English o