Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-19
The Doom of Islam.


formidable. Great as was its power I'm.
der the rule of the Caliphs, today it is
but an unorganized multitude, powerful,
it is true, for evil in local uprisings,
but helpless for aggression that would
bring it profit The Sultan, the Padisha,
is compelled to struggle for existence,
and relies more upon diplomacy than
military resources to maintain his sway.
1t must be admitted that he uses his
chosen weapon well, but the occasions
for its exercise constantly multiply, and
the time will come ere long when
it will be useless to him. While Egypt
has been practically Independent of
him since the days of Me-
hemet Ali, he has nevertheless held a
conceded suzeraintY over the land of the
Pharaohs. But how iimsy was his hold
is shown by the disregard of his wishes
Just exhibited by the British IN Egypt,
and the show of according him a share
in crushing Arabs rebellion was simply
diplomatic trick which he failed to see
through in time.
With the charge of the British at Tel
ell Kebir the sovereignty of Egypt
virtually passed from the Porte's hands
While it does not and probably will not
yet rest in those of England, it is not
likely that any effort will be made by
other powers to dispute her practical
control of the country. Russia, it
is true, might be tempted to raise
objections, but as she, too, is ready to
profit at the first opportunity from the
Porte's embarrassment and has heavy
| lien on the Sultan's revenues, she will
not likely be hasty in blocking her own
game, England Is really mistress Of
Egypt, and can sway the country at her
pleasure She will probably rule it
through the Khedive and successors with
such arrangements for securing payment
of debts due her subjects as may seem best
suited to effect this end. Arab and the
leading rebels are to be tried by mill
tary tribunal, and whatever their fate
whether they are shot as rebels or par
doned through policy-will point moral
to the Mohammedan rabble that will
long be Observed in fact,
new Egypt is likely to rise that will, in
time, feel the benefits Of AnglO-SaxOn'
civilization that conquers and refnes
wherever it extends.
But what of the world of Islam? 1t
is as clear as MONDAY that, be the time
long or short ere it comes, the doom of
the Turk is written. The followers of
the Prophet of India are fast feeling the
influences Of Christian civilization, and
are ready, as they have proved. to fight
under the cross of st. George. Algeria has
long since submitted to France. Morocco
has long tempted Spain as TripOli has
| Italy. Tunis would make an excellent an
mex to Algeria. Bulgaria is free. Egypt
will ultimately be made an English pro
vince, and the legions of the Gar and of
Austria may yet be recruited from
Asia Minor and Roumelia. Greece, too,
will in time gain the provinces she COW
cts. Year by year the Sultan's power
wanes; the support of England, his once
firm ally, is no longer extended to him.
Soon his power will vanish, and the
hymn of the Christian will doubtless
again rise to the dome of st. Sophia. New
life, new energies, new hopes, new aspi'
rations will in time quicken the votaries
of Mohammedanism, that mixture of su-
| perstition and sensuaEsm that degrades
and enslaves.
Thus the great Ruler of the Universe
works His will. Islam rose and fired
the decaying zeal of the Christian world.
1t fingered and gave taste of civiliza-
ton to lands that else might have re-
posed in the shadow of barbarism. But
its day has passed. The night is closing
in upon 1t, and soon as a power it will
be no more. Proportioned with its de-
cay has been the growth of Christian
nations, and foremost among them that
wonderful Anglo-Saxon race who but
| Yesterday crushed Arabs rebellion.