The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-15
The European War and American N en-
trality.

The European War and American N en-
traIity.
On reading the recent intelligence from Eu-
rope, announcing the probable commencement
of hostilities between Russia on the one hand
and Turkey, France, and England on the 9th
er, we felt consoled for the moment by the re-
Election that the broad Atlantic lay between
us and these belligerent nations. But little
consideration suffices to suggest the mar
row span to which the Atlantic has been
reduced by steam navigation and Kossuth no
tions of Intervention. We are certainly not as
far from the din of European battles as here
tofore. a
The Emperor of Russia finds cause of war
upon the Mahommedan Empire because he
cannot extort from the Sultan a solemn Obliga-
ton that he will consent to certain measures
for the preservation of Christian shrines and
for keeping them accessible to worshippers of
both the Greek and Latin churches.
The Sultan naturally declines to consent
under the duress of foreign demand to that
which he might be willing to do from the
impulses of his own hberality. His refusal is
construed into an insult to Russia, and he is
called upon to make reparation.
1t so happens that the United States has a
better cause of war with the neighboring State
of Greece than Russia has with Turkey. II
will be remembered that Dr. KING, an Ameri-g
can citizen, was imprisoned by the Grecian au-
thorities for having worshipped God according
to the tenets of the Protestant faith. He has
been unjustly restrained in the use Of his right
fully acquired property. and Greece has, in
most arrogant manner, refused to apologize to
our Government, or to make indemnity to DR..
KING. ra
Here then is not only denial Of the right
Of religious worship. buta positive wrong to an
American citizen. Nothing but the forbear-
ance of a powerful nation, and the weakness Of
her antagonist, may perhaps restrain our Gov
eminent from redressing the personal griev-
ance; but no one can question that Greece hat
the right to establish and enforce whateve
rules of opinion she may choose, and to impose
prohibition upon the exercise Of any other
without cause of intervention by any foreign
power The New York Times goes SO far as Il
suggest, however, the example Of England il
obtaining redress for certain injuries inflicted b,
Greece upon her citizens, and even adds Al
effectual means Of avenging the wrong dom
DR.. KING, by levying upon an excellent har
Dor and coal depot for our own Mediterranean
squadron. Here we have the example and tn,
remedy:
England bore with great patience during ma
nv years the contemptuous silence of successv,
Greek cabinets to her demands for redress in tn,
Pacifico and other affairs but at last her magma
nimity was exhausted, and her fleet laid en-
barge upon the merchant ships of Greece.
would be singular if America should have to fol
low in the suit Of England and TINS present
the world the picture Of the two nations that wcr
the most enthusiastic in the cause OF Greek libel
~. compelled the first, Of all TO seek FROM tina
,,eople, by demonstration of force, that justc
which they willsnot grant from a sense OF honor.
.An cffcctual way Of securing satisfaction
would b to take possession of the Island of Serv
on the southernmos point of Greece, and leay
Greece to settle az she best could any clai"