St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-02-13

labOrers, engaged in fiery dispute,
while the imam'S wife stood In the open
doorway trying with mild reasoning to
quell the Storm, all to no purpose, it
seemed, for while she stopped to make
her ''salams" polite greeting) to us one
OF the angry men, who was armed with
an immense cudgel, began pounding the
other over head and shoulders SO
Justify that the stick broke. Immedi-
ately the intrepid little woman caught
up the broken weapon and, welding it
right and left, with loud words of COM
mand babe them begone. They dropped
their heads and skunk away like two
whipped schOOlboys, as there is little
use in looking for any appeal from her
decisions. This prompt, but primitive
way OF settling quarrel set me to
thinking it might be we'll for the good
name of this vast empire II its rulers
would take some lessons from so hum
BILE source, especially in dealing with
the numerous bands OF brigandS that
are. even in this, our day, terror in
the land.
1t seems evident that Turkey took
viper to her breast when she gave the
CircaSSian refugees fOothOld here, for
these people furnish much of the stuff
from which the most daring of brigands
are made, and who can measure the
power behind the throne" these out
laws command, when it is so we'll known
that many fair CiIcassian slave has a
lover whose strength cannot be eSti-
mated. Col. James Baker is authority
for the statement, in a work published
about ten years ago, that the Cir
cassians in European Turkey are esti--
mated at 100000, and are the terror of
their neighbOrs, whether Turks or
Christians. Their depredatiOns go UNI
checked through fear of reprisals. Their
interest at high quarters, through the
introduction of their beautiful girls to
the principal haremS Of COnstantinOple
and elsewhere, is so great that 1t is
difficult to get convictions against them.
They know. their power, and unless
stringent measures are taken to stop
further immigration and to enforce the
law more strictly over those already
cOlOniZed, they must prove great bar
to progress for many years to come"
Thus we see that even the scourge of
brigandage is in a measure supported
by the weaker sex.
But there are yet more potent powers
behind the throne. The ''yalide sui
tana," sultan'S mother, is possessed of
great influence. She always ranks first
in the seraglio. A wing of the palace
nearest to that of her son is set apart
for her use. She possesses state apart
mentS, has an immense train OF slaves,
and every mark of respect is shown her,
not only by her son, but by all who
would curry favor at court. 1t matters
little what disposition Turk may man
ifest toward his wives and all others
who surround him, he is said to be al
ways tender and respectful to his
mother, for, says he, II may lose my
child, another may be born to me; my
wife may die, another fills her place;
but can have but one mother" 1t is
often found by high officers of state that
they have reason to dread the interior
ference of the val de Sultana more than
that of the sultan himself.
Thus it is plainly to be seen how I'M
educated, undeveloped women help on
the disintergrating process so plainly to
be seen in the Turkish empire. What
wonder that under the present system
we hear much of the vice and corruption
that reigns in high places. How could
it be otherwise where virtue is forever
crushed and true womanhOod is neither
appreciated nor desired? Still, it has
been my good fortune to meet some dig
nified, quiet and cultured Turkish
ladies, whose whole bearing offered
pleasing contrast to that of the gener-
atty of MOslem women, If polygamy
and slavery could be banished from this
empire what change would soon be
wrought. Woman, elevated to her
proper sphere. would soon exert
wholesome influence, and Turkey, even
under MOSlem rule, might stand on
different plane among the nations of the
earth.