The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-10-15

Hbsen nitidii tfIu caa ~ n Ell en-
Vironufsmt for SIX or seven centl1r
les iIib Asia Minor, kI0m WHOSE
earlier inbabftantB, stu an import
anE section Of society the conqner-
ing Turks have absorbed SO much
blood and 30 much Of their pres
ent character.
A Turk links Of God as very
INCH like Dngnified human SOY.
ereign He believes that all good
earthly government Is monarchial
and has IFS ultimate authority in
the EErsCn Of the supreme ruler.
OF the two leading forms of hui
man government, the monarch1al
or military and the republican or
parliamentary, the Turks have
consistently maintained the form
er. Under this theory OF admins
tration every Individual goes as
high as he can, takes orders from
the authority next above, and pass
es them ON to the ranks below.
The Young Turks in 1908 made an
effort to establish representative
Institutions and to do things III
foreign TO Turkish psychology and
Il failed. The old Turks represenl
the really characteristic ideas.
They feel that the king or the
caliph should be the real and un.
hampered monarch, that he may
at any time reverse or revise his
statutes, make exceptions in favor
OF individuals, or suspend OPP
GRAFTON OF any article OF his code.
A sovereign is expected to be ar.
bitrary, sometimes Capricious, II
possible wise, but always power
ful. He should be keen in discern
ing the motives and tntents OF
men, and discriminating in award.
expected to maintain stately
court, and yet TO be accessible, AZ
least at times, 10 the humblest OF
his people. His browning virtues
are mercy, clemency, compassion,
and it matters little what claims
OF justice so unrequitted II a cry
for mercy is kindly met. The rul-
ers of the Arabian Nights repre-.
scented the ideal Of monarchs Of
this character.
According to the Turk the ideal
human ruler is surrounded by
company OF Courtiers and officers
who contribute to his state. admin
lister his affairs, and, II possible,
anticipate lis wants. These func-
tionarIes have great influence with
the monarch on the one hand. and
each has his own feudal retainerS
on the other. Petitions are pre-
scented to the sovereign by means
OF some courtly satellite, and
wise suppliant endeayors to enlist
in his hehalf the good offices or
some courLier whose influence is
SO great that the monarch cannot
reject his request. II one ca sc.
cure such mediator, his suit Is
won IN advance.
BY natural analogy, then, the
Turks think OF God as the onInipo-
tent Creator, Ruler, and Judge of
all. a Being seated upon a high
throne, far removed from the al
fairs OF men. yet approachable TO
his favorites. and even TO the
humbIest OF his faithful subjects,
these last being, OF course, true
Moslem believers. The Divine will,
infinite and absolute, so embraces
each inhEiteSimal human Will that
there is really no room 10 allow
free scope TO the latter at all.
Turks are fatalists. and really hold
that every event is determined for
man beforehand. Is he destined
to fall in buttIe?-.his body Is proof
against disease; has one the chOi-
era?--to refrain from eating green
Cucumbers Is lack of faith. # Is
not only unnecessary but impious
to isolate a patient sick with some
contagious disease for the will of
God must be done. Does the true
believer find himself in an uneN-
nectod place?-hG has water to
drink there, and "the water draws
him." is he offered some delicacy
to eat?-it was appointed 10 him.
Is the Moslem irritated at alleged
fnfidelity toward God above, OF
toward his theOcratic representa-
tives on carth?--he will indulge his
passions by striking down men,
women, and children in indis@rim-
inaIe massacre, and comfort his
soul with the assurance OF some
astrologer that he read all these
things in the stars five years before
they happened; ask the astrologeI
If he could not have read some way
to prevent such misery, and he
will answer, "Oh, no. for 1t was
all written in the lmmutable de-
crCes OF Cod"
After the massacre of 1895. in
which thousands OF Armenian lives
went out in blood amid scenes that
may not be described. uhe governor
OF considerable city that had
been given over to mob rule for
four hours was asked whether
punishment would be melted Gus
10 the perpetrators of such deeds.
Undoubtedly. undoubtedly" he
replied, every guilty man will
meet with his misfortune One