Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-06-07
Revolution I'm Egypt.

Revolution In Egypt.
The land of the pyramids engages the in
terested attention of the world. There is
revolution along the banks of the Nile. II
is difficult to associate anything so eruptive
as energetic political revolution with the
immobility which has for centuries held
Egypt in its sleepy thrall, but this movement
seems to be of so aggressive character
that France and England, interested in
maintaining the status quo, have appeared
with their vessels of war before Alexandria.
Those powers have also arranged at Con-
stantinople for one of those gatherings con-
vened in Europe to settle the estates of ma
tionalities whenever they exhibit signs of
restiveness under the political status imposed
upon them by their superiors. Alexandria
is strongly fortified against the interference of
any military force which foreign powers
have in that region, and foreigners are
taking refuge with their valuabes upon
the ships of their respective nations
now in that port. Tewfk pacha, the
khedive, is close prisoner in his own
palace and the insurgents have full
possession Of his capital as well as his chief
seaport. Since the early part of the six
teenth century Egypt has been subject to
Turkey, though for many years her subjec-
ton has been nominal rather than actual.
In 1867 a representative body was estab.
lished, and in 1873 the reigning pacha was
made the khedive, the sovereignty de-
scending from father to son. The payment
of an annual tribute to Turkey is now about
the only token of subsection to the sultan,
since the khedive is practically an ire
sponsible ruler, clothed with the right Of
concluding treaties and maintaining armies.
During the course of the later political
h;-.--y NJ EsYpl ire people have divided
into two parties. One, the nominal head of
which is the khedive, is made up of the
Turks, Circassians, Greeks, Syrians and the
Europeans, the latter comprising the English
and French residents and foreign bond
holders. Opposed to this party is that of
the nationalists, made up of Mussulmans,
Arab merchants, village sheiks, the Copts-
Christian descendants of the ancient Egyp.
tians-and the more intelligent class of the
Jeliahin, or Egyptian common people. These
people aspire to political freedom and an in
dependent management of their public af-
fairs, and this party is the first organization
in many centuries having aspirations for
distinctive nationality. The contest now
going on in the land of the Pharaohs is be-
tween these two parties for the sovereignty
of Egypt. The khedive is of course sup,
ported by Turkey, which is tantamount to
saying that he is sustained by France and
England, between whom the existing rela.
tionship is practically that of principal and
agent, the khedive being kept in power to
maintain in Egypt the claims and influence
especially of England. At the head of the
nationalists is Arab Bey, former minister
of war in the khedive's cabinet. The army
and the council of notables side with the
nationalists, their only foreign friends being
few Italians, Swiss and Belgians and GER
tain Americans who with instincts charac-
teristic of freemen seem to have discovered
and espoused the cause of freedom. Con-
corning the object of the revolution the fol-
lowing words of Arab Bey will command
the sympathy of the people of the United
States
"Should the representatives OF the powers in
this country be faithful to their duty and to the
interests of their own countries they cannot do
better than help us in our truly national enter
prise, and prove in acts what they promise US in
words. We have made up our minds to do all we
can TO give our nation position among civilized
nations by spreading knowledge through the
country, maintaining union and good order, and
administering justice to every one. Nothing will
make us 60 back an inch from this determination.
Threats or menaces will not deter us from It, We
yield only to friendly feelings, and these we APP
precate immensely. As to the tranquility OF the
country, 1t Ia not disturbed. We are endeavoring
TO efface the bad trace left behind by former gov
ernments Let us pray God that he may guide
the thoughtful statesmen OF Europe 10 find out
the truth and better learn the condition Of our
country, So they will render service TO their own
countries as we'll as ours by strengthening the
ties Of good feeling. May God grant us all 10 en-
joy the blessing OF peace and friendly under
standing"
In any event the present khedive seems
to be doomed. Hahn pacha, son of Me-
hemet Ali, is regarded as bis successor. He
is an enlightened prince of mature years,
and desires to make Egypt nation with
representative institutions, faithful to her
obligations and devoted to the development
of her internal resources. He favors the
education of the people and is especially
anxious for the improvement of agriculture.
lie is in favor with the sultan, is familiar
with Egypt, and is supported by the nation
alsts. A determined and sincere effort to
place this ancient kingdom in the ranks of
free, independent civilized nations cannot
fail to have the hearty moral support of the
American people and government. An in
terest akin TO that manifested in the revival
of Italian unity and nationality will be felt
in this revolution. If hostilities are COM
menced, the hope will be INDUCED that in
Arab Bey may be found the Garibaldi of
Egyptian independence, and in Hahn the
Cavour whose craftsmanship shall establish
new empire above the ruins OF the famed
nation of antiquity.
COLONEL BLISS began Friday the opening
argument in the star-route trials before the