The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-03-02
Religious Liberty In Turkey-Highly I'm
portant Intelligence from Constantinopie.

Religious Liberty In Turkey-Hlghly I'm !.
portant Intelligence from C0nstantlnOpie.
We publish this morning mass OF highly
Interesting and important intelligence from
Constantpople, on the subject of religious
liberty in Turkey. The letter of Mr. Fighter
member Of the Evangelical missionary AL
lance out there, explains itself; and also the
fact that it is to him, as correspondent ofone
of our religious contemporaries, that we are in
debted for the instructive letter of our Minis
ter at the Porte to the Grand Vzer. This ap-
peal OF Mr.. Spence for the abolition of the
death penalty against apostates in the Turkish
dominions from the faith Of the Prophet, will
he read with qualification by every America al
at home or abroad.
The extract in connection with the aforesaid
letters, which we republish from one Of our
London exchanges, shows that in this sigoiti
cant religious movement, the Evangelical AL
lance have been sustained by the active CO.
operation Of the diplomatic agents at Constan-
tiDople OF all the great European Powers repre-
sented there at the time including, also, our
own ambassador, who has most probably been
of bis government 1t is evident, also, from
the facts and opinions derived from these va
lious sources. that there can be 10 DOUBT OF
the speedy and absolute abolitloI Of tue death
penalty in question, throughout the Turkish
empire. 1t must he one of the first of the
inevitable results of this Turko Russian war;
and Others as marked and momentous in th
~. "a
the Turkish 6ominicns, will be comprehende /
in the peace with Russia, or among the early
fruits Of pacifcation. The Sultan has no
olbtr alternative than to submit to the DEGREES
of The Western Powers, and abide by the con.
seque nces The knell Of Moslemism 10 Europe
from Constantinople: and in seeking the protec-
ton Of England and France against Russia, til
Sultan has bat changed the destiny of Turkey
from one set Of Christian conquerors to two
others.
The abolition Of the-penalty of death against
all Turks who may turn iuidels (Which is
the Mahometan definition of all other reli-
gions) is an imperative necessity to the
Christian allies of the Porte. Their pretension
that their war with Russia has been war OF
civilization against barbarism must otherwise
be abandoned The war, we all know, was a
war of self interest. and ofjealousy Of the over
shadowing power of Russia in the Eat; and a
wsr, not for the preservation, but for the pos
session or control Of Turkey against Russia.
But for the sake of appearances, and in further
ance of their own selfish designs. the allies
must do something for the Christianiza-
ton and civilization OF Turkey; and from
necessary concessions between the respec ii We
claims Of the Protestant Church of England,
the Catholic Church OF France and the Greek
Church of Russia, it is quite possible that Tur-
key, from being Che most barbsrous and BIZ
gotted religious Power OF Europe, will soon be-
come the most liberal and tolerant.
The correspondence upon which this article
is based reflects but point or two of the great
civil, political and religious revolution COM
rbencing in Turkey with the rupture with Rus
sia. This correspondence, however. IL the
more interesting and important on that ac-