The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-15
Epypt and Turkey.

In special telegram to this paper Of yes
terday the statement that the khedive Of
Egypt had rendered General JOSEPH E. JOHN
sroN the appointment of commander.in.chief
OF bis army was authoritatiyely contradicted.
We scarcely know whether to regret the
contradiction of the rumor or not. An
American officer must have many trials and
serious annoyances ia the matter Of disc-
p'inng an army of Egyptians. The soldiers
life in the field is always one of vicissitude
and trial. They meet with odd situations
and priyations 1t is bad enough in our
own country, on the plains and in the field
cvcrywhere; but in Egypt, among such
strange people, whose economy of life and
Subsistence are so strange to our people, we
slo, Id think it would be an uphill business
with an American; but almost anywhere
might be accepted as an escape from dis.
Embellishments at home. We have already
many brave countrymen in the service of
the khedive, and he could not have better
acquisition to those already with him than
General JOHNSTON.
port that he was recommending Confederate
off ers exclusively to the kbediye. He
declares that bis recommendations have en-
braced both Union and Confederate officers.
We should imagine that capable Federal
Officer in good position can hardly desire
service in the Egyptian army, and we sup
pose that the tirst-class officers will not seek
it. We suspect General SHERMAN is not
called upon for recommendations for many
OF them.
The Kbediye is evidently gathering up bis
strength for great purpose. He is impa.
tient with his tributary relations to Turkey,
and we may look for some manifestation of
that impotence at no distant day. When it
appears there will be vigorous war in the
lands famous In sacred and proiane history.
Soldiers from America will figure in fields
famed for conflicts in which Persians, and
Romans, and Christians, and Saracens have
struggled, and where NApoLEoN's troops met
the charges of the Mamelukes under the gaze
of the Pyramids.
Sympathizing earnestly with the Khedive,
we shall find our sympathy greatly increased
by the presence Of our own heroic country.
men assoldiers commanding his troops The
humiliation Of Turkey is to the civilized or
Christian world very desirable thing. I,
would be certainly step towards the eman-
cipa,ion OF the Christian provinces in Euro.
pean Turkey, and, we doubt not, towards
iberalizing and modifying the bigotry Of
Mohammedsnism. 1t will be all the better,
too, if this humiliation comes from the re.
gions OF Islamism than from Russia. In that
case England can hardly find pretext for
interfering to keep the "sick man - on the
throne. The European Powers would not
permit her to do so even were she so in
clined.
Even if following victory Of the Kbedive
the power over European Turkey should
fall into his hands, we bave an assurance in
the presence aud the disposition ofthe Ame-
rican officers controlling his army that he
would be biased in favor of liberal views and
humane policies.
This is speculation, We confess, little
ahead of movements, but ne think that con.
titions In the land now ruled from Constsn.
tinople poiD: To early political changes more
congenial With the advances Of civilization.
II will be indeed Q genuine cause ofssatisfac.
: zion If our American soldiers should be con.
spicuous In bringing about such changes.
the Rayabs, or non ohammedans, who are
under Turkish rule, are very rude people,
whose domestic economy is little more than
ssyaga; but they are characterized by strong
feslings and great aversion to Islamism. The
struggles between the Greeks aud Turks
some Jour decades since filled their minds