Difficult are the times in which we live, and saddening too. Looking towards the Americas, we note that the issues they suffer from there are not so different from the ones we suffer from here: rebellious subjects, anti-reformist blocs and those who wish to bring about chaos and destruction for no greater purpose other than to watch our world burn. In these difficult times, we must be firm and strong in our endeavours towards progress and advancement, we must fight staunchly for unity and oneness of purpose in all our respective nations, and we must struggle, against all the odds, to eradicate any chaotic and destabilising forces within our societies. For the sake of unity and strength, I say to the United States, do what you must to ensure the continuing oneness of your esteemed nation, and tread carefully should the path of war become the only path: if it is unity you seek, then bloodshed and force will only create an eternal divide. I beseech the rebels; put down your weapons and use that great tool and gift bestowed upon you by your Founding Fathers, the gift of democracy, the gift which has unified and strengthened you through the decades, let it unify and strengthen you once more.
We are shocked by the escalation of matters in Europe and request that all concerned parties remain calm and composed. The question of Schleswig-Holstein is a truly complicated one and another war over the matter will not resolve it. We understand that the German Confederation has the interests of the German population of Schleswig-Holstein at heart while Denmark would like to see the unity of its ancestral lands. This is an issue which old men and politicians have failed to solve for generations, and the only way to truly resolve it is through a peaceful and internationally monitored plebiscite. We see no reason to war over to whom belongs the land and people of Schleswig-Holstein, when the land and people can quite clearly, and without doubt, tell us. We call upon Prussia to be a model of civilisation and rescind its declaration of war, offer a formal apology to Denmark while endorsing a plebiscite. We call upon Austria, Denmark, Sweden-Norway and all the nations of Europe to endorse a plebiscite in order to avoid bloodshed and settle this issue once and for all.
Closer to home, we are appalled by the recent Montenegrin attempts to stir up unrest within our borders, such actions will not be tolerated. The instability and unrest in Herzegovina caused by your selfish actions has led to great suffering for our subjects and military officials. We are thankful that the one true God has blessed us with efficient military men, like Omar Pasha, who managed to deal with the rioting effectively and with very little bloodshed.
Such low and dishonourable acts, aimed at causing strife and unrest in other nations must be shunned and punished. We demand an immediate apology from Montenegro and compensation for the damage caused by their foolish actions. Failure to comply by this basic courtesy will be considered as the greatest of affronts and Ottoman steel will have to defend Ottoman honour and dignity.
Having, with the help and support of our allies in the Concert of Europe, dealt with the saddening and sickening situation in the Mount Lebanon region, we would like to assure all concerned nations that what occurred was in no way typical of our esteemed nation. This recent phenomenon, caused by the rise of ugly new ideologies which I would prefer not to disgrace myself by uttering, shall be put down, and with the greatest discipline and professionalism. There is no place in the Eternal State for those who would fire up sectarian violence and hatred towards their fellow Ottomans, and just as was pledged in the Imperial Reform Edict of 1856, our nation will become a better, more advanced and tolerant one, where such thoughts and ideologies will not exist and will have no reason to exist. We acknowledge that our society has been conductive to the rise of ugly ideologies and fanatical thought, and this we shall fix, and swiftly.
We would therefore like to honour a man who truly embodies the ideal Ottoman subject to whom we strive to emulate, with all his virtues and wisdom and humanity, and abiding fear of God and a most severe punishment and eternal bliss in the hereafter. A man who has looked beyond ethnic, religious and tribal affiliation and accepted himself and all those with whom he co-exists as humans and brothers in love and humanity. To the esteemed and honourable Abd al-Qādir ibn Muḥyiddīn El Djezairi, who fought to aid his Maronite brothers when they needed him most, knowing that they shared the greatest and most powerful bond of all, the bond of humanity, we award the highest and greatest awards the Eternal State has to offer, and we fear that before his humble glory, these awards are found lacking. To him goes the Order of the Medjidie, First Class, and the most elevated of all awards, the Nişan-i Imtiyaz (Order of Distinction) for his outstanding and honourable services to the state and to humanity.
Further to this, we would like to establish the Order of the Djezairi in his honour, awarded to all Ottomans and non-Ottomans who embody the spirit and soul of the ideal, elevated and wise Ottoman. May the one true God bless these efforts, and our nation, and our people, and keep us ever and eternally on his one, straight path towards glory, advancement and progress. Peace upon all who seek it, and the mercy and blessings of the Most High.
His Sacred and Imperial Majesty, Sultan Abdülmecid Khan I, by the Might and Will of the Almighty, Emperor of the Ottomans, Sovereign of the House of Osman, Sultan of Sultans, Khan of Khans, Commander of the Faithful and Successor of the Prophet of the Lord of the Universe, Custodian of the Holy Cities of Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, Emperor of Rome and many other countries and cities.
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