THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT.
The policy of the government has hitherto been centralization, that
is, to draw the mass of the people from the frontiers to a common
centre, in order the more readily to suppress any rebellion; and by
depopulating the borders, to prevent the approach of foreign invasion.
Besides, even while consigning the inhabitants of the provinces to
the arbitrary control of the governors, a certain degree of awe and
ready submission might be inspired towards the central government,
which could, at pleasure and option punish, with one fell blow,
the very ruler who was regarded as omnipotent in his own territories.
Also, it was with ulterior designs, that such a degree of laxity was
tolerated. The distant and provincial authorities, in grasping all
within their reach, and oppressing the people under their control,
were able to amass great possessions for themselves; but they were
amenable to the supreme power, which availed itself of its prerogatives
to judge and condemn, upon the slightest accusation, and to confiscate
and appropriate the spoils, with the semblance of justice itself--as
if avenging the wrongs of an injured population.
Notwithstanding, there was often an assumption of independence in
many of the provincial authorities, who succeeded in maintaining
the dignity of Déré-Beys or Feudal Barons, such as Tchapan-Oghlou,
Tepelene, and Mehmed Aali.
The consequence has been, that as you receded from the seat of
government over the vast tracts of territory, the very limited internal
communications, combined with the independence and rapacity of the
governors of the distant provinces, produced anarchy, misrule and
misery, in frightful ratio. Some amelioration has been attempted of
late by the Tanzimat or reformation, and the establishing of roads
and post-offices, councils, &c.; but the spirit of centralization
still pervades with all its legitimate evils.
Another equally pernicious error in their policy, was the idea
that it was better to employ the heads and hands of the people in
foreign wars, with the view to keep them constantly occupied, and to
maintain a military ardor. Although this system contributed vastly
to the extension of the empire, yet sad experience has developed
its injurious effects. For constant acquisitions so enlarged their
dominions and inflated the soldiery, that the very sultan began to
tremble on his throne, until the destruction of the janissaries became
indispensable for the preservation of the empire.
This famous military body was created in the reign of Sultan Mourad,
the son and successor of Orkhan; and it was notorious for many
centuries, till they were at last destroyed by Mahmoud, the father
of the present sultan.
The janissaries are so interwoven with the past and present history
of Turkey, that it does not seem amiss to give here a slight sketch
of their origin and downfall.