The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1914-04-29


characrerizes the Bulgars as "the
abhorred race"
From their new vantage ground the
hordes during the years that followed,
that is, to say, from 679 to 687, pushed
forward III marauding bands through
the adjoining territory, pillaging
Macedonia and Trace, exacting RUIN
ous ransoms and taking slaves.
They had no agriculture, no pro-
ductiYe. trades OF any kind, no learn
ing, no civilization. Their wealth was
exlorted or stolen. Murder and loot
ing were their only professions. At
last the Emperor, Justinianus the
Great, was forced to take the field
against them and their new allies, the
Saves, 70 whom he administered sig
nal defeat.
Eighty years later the Bulgars, hav-
ing regaiued their freedom. entered
Macedonia and were once again de-.
fe sted by Constantine V. The empire
of Byzantium was then exertiug all its
strength to hold the eastern gate of
Europe aga ainst the hor des of Muslem
invaders, both Tarks and Arabs, dur
ing a succession of terrible religious
wars. Did Bulgaria rush t. the de-
fence of Christiandom? Let history
answer. Rapine, pillage, invasion into
the sorely tried provinces, who were
draining their blood and straining
their sinews to hold back the armies
Of Islam. A. D. 679, 6S7, 1858, 659, 1852,
765, 773, all dates of ruinous invasions
by the Ta-bar Bulgars into Christian
territory. They were not even Christ
ians at that time. It is marvel Of
the ages that each time they were de-
feated and driven back to the Balkan
mountains. Not for one moment did
they join forces wisn the Christian en-
pire to repel the iufdels who clamored
ut the gates of Europe. The oppor-
tunities for exercising their profession
of slaughter and pillage were too good
to be lost; little they knew or cared
for the terrible fundamental struggle
that set Europe and Asia at each
others throats. They cared as little.
in fact, as they cared for their own
oaths and promises.
History has presedved Bulgaria's
black record.
After the defeat of these barbarians
in 773 A. D, while yet the delegates
of the Bulgar chisftains were in Con-
stantinople suing for peace, the
Christian emperor was informed that
an army of 1900 Bulgars had as
sembled on the borders of Macedonia
and Thrace preparatory to a renewed
invasion in order to replenish by ran.
som and loot their exch, quer depleted
~ their last disastrous campaign
.fhe emperor Immediately took the
field against them and once more they
were put to fight.
A. D. 500, the Bulgars, having learn
ed whers the treasure destined to pay
off the Byz sntine army WAS then
located, made sudden raid into
Christian territory and seized 1,1O0
Livres Of g old. a sum equal to 1885,
900 drachmas. They then invaded
Tnrace under the leadership Of Krun,
their chieftain, and slew 5000 soldiers
and vast mum bers of the unarmed in
habitants. The Byzantine Emperor,
came to the resoue, defeated
the enemy aud captured the tents of
the leaders, where enormous treasures
Of loot wes found.
While Krum was discussing the
Treaty Of Peace with the Emperor his
eISOPo 1E06CACIOOsAy f%"OhShOu Sd0AA
They succeeded in isolat-
ing the Emperor and fifty of his escort
from therest Of his suite, who refused
to surrender aud fought until tine last
man was killed. Of the slaughter
and atrocities that followed Theo-
phanes, che historian, has left long
account. GAIL beautiful Christian
girls that were captured in the prov
inoe were ravished. Tne barbarous
Krum cut off the head Of the treach-
srously slain Emperor Win his own
sword when he found tho dead body
lying among his slain dIgni0ar1es, anu
Of this gnastiY trophy ne had fashioned
a Grlnking cup. Strange con uct. Is
itnot, for a defender of Christianity
but not in the least unfamiliar 60 the
annals of the Hun and Vandal.
In Sla Krun again invaded North
ern Thrace eastern Rune ia) and
captured the inhabitants Of Z.gora.
The entire province was pillaged and
devastated, q WORK To ~nlcA they pre-