The Sultan and His PeopleOscanyan, C. (Christopher)
History
The Sultan and His People
Oscanyan, C. (Christopher)
Turkey -- Description and travel; Turkey -- Social life and customs
Besides, should the Mohammedans resist the required concessions--the
great Christian population of Turkey is ready to join their western
co-religionists in any movement. Therefore it is only a wise policy
in the Mohammedans, making a virtue of necessity, to submit to
circumstances, rather than by opposing, to work their own ruin.
The great essential is a community of interest, which has already,
in some cases, produced a legitimate action. The corps of firemen is
composed of both Mussulmans and Christians, who not only unite in a
common effort for mutual good, but call each other brothers, carouse
together, shed their blood in each other's defense, and never seem
to remember their characteristic dissimilarities.
There is already an indisposedness towards the tenacity of religious
fanaticism, which is so hostile to moral and social progress. Many
of the distinguished men of Turkey having resided abroad, and
acquired foreign languages, have imbibed a taste for the literature
of Europe. A familiarity with the works of such authors as Voltaire,
Volney, and Rousseau, has made many of them free-thinkers. Indeed,
most of the younger members of the Porte are men of liberal sentiments.
They pay external deference to the religion of the state rather from
motives of self-interest than from any moral conviction.
Nevertheless, some of these very men, so long habituated to power and
the spoils of office, may, under the guise of religious enthusiasm,
become the instigators of opposition through the superstitions of
the multitude.
Hence the gazettes will occasionally report hostile demonstrations,
and even bloodshed; but any attempts at insurrection must prove
futile; for, with the destruction of the Janissaries, the spirit of
rebellion perished in Turkey. Besides, recent events having brought
the superiority and power of Europe within the immediate vision of
the whole population, they have been forced to call to mind their
own proverb, that "the elephant is greater than the camel," and
doubtless they will henceforth arrive at a juster appreciation of
their own capabilities.
Much more might be written on so extended a theme as The Sultan and
His People, and an abler pen portray the condition of this interesting
Eastern empire, just emerging from barbarism into civilization. Yet
it may be hoped that these humble efforts will awaken some sympathy
in behalf of a country and its inhabitants, who so much need the
interest and assistance of other lands; at a moment, too, when the
question is of life or death; of free progressive life, under the
shelter of the broad wings of civilization, or of a suffering death
within the claws of the rapacious Vulture of despotism and oppression.
It may be objected that Turkey has been represented "en couleur de
rose." If that roseate hue has been given, the odorous flower has
been presented with all its thorns, divested of the verdure which
might have concealed their bristling points.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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