The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1909-07-01

hppn one OIL tue uOsA .SAeCTdleu men |
IN europe. All the ellis OF his reign |
nave been visited upon his head. He
bas been held responsible for the |
Armenian massacres of 1895 and
1896. for the financial straits Of the |
turkish Empire, for the disorders
and violence prevailing Of late years
IN Macedonia, for the Turkish regime
Of governmental responsibility and
,neifectuality, for Official corruption
and for everything else, down to the
nresent revolution. Yet on one thing
all who have written OF him are
agreed-that he has consistently
shown himself one OF the most able
men. and OF the most striking and
energetic characters in the contem-
porary annals Of Europe.
In character, Abdul Hamid has al
ways proved himself man Of irwin
chile will. He has at the same time
maintained a mildness OF manner
when surrounded by those whom he
must hate and fear that gave rpoof
of a great self-control. It is said
that he has never been known to
raise his voice. Maintaining his dan
gerous place in the world indomit-
ably, often ruthlessly, he is reported
nv all who have in any degree come
near a true view of him, to have TAX
en- little pleasure in the eminence
due to his imperial lot and to have
looked with melancholy upon his .un-
welcome despotic position. Many
European interviewers have reported
his attitude as that of a man rem
dered almost morbidly melancholy
by the distress of an uncongenial
most. Some have thought 1t an at
ttude assumed for foreign effect;
= others have put it down to illness
and called the Sultan a neurasthem!c,
His admirers, who, strange to say,
have not been lacking, have attrib-
uted the singular melancholy of his
conversation and bearing to the ne
cessity Of playing a life part alien to
his disposition.
This remarkable man has given al
most as many proofs of attractive and
human traits as there are indictments
of ruthless Cruelty against him. One
is his liberality The Ottoman finan-
ces have long been in a disordered
condition. Yet the Sultan has always
found means to exercise a princely
lberality. His gifts to the Mussul-
man charities are noteworthy, even
coming at the end Of a long line OF
princes. all open-handed in response
to the commands Of the Koran, and
more magnificent than their ill-fated
SUCCESSOR. He has treated his sub
ordinates, ministers and agents with
a like open hand. Those who have
carried out his orders, trembling Of
ten for their lives in case OF his dis
pleasure, have never had to complain
of their rewards when the work was
done. Even those Europeans who
have been entertained by the Sultan
as guests have brought away in many
cases gifts of jewelry bestowed with
Oriental freedom.
Abdul Hamid has proved remark
able among the generally stolid Turk
ish race by his gift of humor. Many
stories are told Of his repartees and
pleasantries. Delivered with sudden
drollery breaking through habitual
melancholy, they remind one strange
ly-under the circumstances-ot the
sallies Of Abraham Lincoln There
is this difference, however, that Lin
coins wit was generally bent TO some
serious end, while of the many bits
Of merriment recalled Of Abdul Ham
Id, all seem to have been meant
merely to amuse sovereign urea
by business all too grim and earnest
In one case, which may serve as an
instance, the Sultan was called upon
by a European diplomat. The arp
lomat sought advancement for the
prelate of the Christian Church IN
Turkey, and the Sultan knew It,. Inc
diplomat never had chance 10
breach his errand. -,
you have been in England!
asked the Sultan, through an inter
prefer. although he spoke Engiisn
and Frehch toIerably well. The VISIT
or answered yes.
"And the English women. what
do you think OF them?"
The visitor thought them pleasant
and attractive. The Sultan appeared
much interested. But" he asked
do they not drink too much Wills
ky?''
The Sultan early in life had Wis
fled England, When the caller
thought that they did not drink TOO
much whisky. the Sultan argued the