New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-16

government and form one people lhefe aTF l'"l'-
sands of native Americans who would say " lfciahd
for the Irtn." How our whole nation rcloiced AT
the union Of all the several branches of the Italian
race in ore consolidated nation, even when some Oh
them bad 10 be brought in by force! We Sympa-
thlzed with both the aim and effort to unite the Ger
mans in a great empire. If the Begians should
think il wpud be better for them 10 become part OF
the French Republic or Empire than to continue rs
such small state and if they should vote by great
majority for il, we shoud sympathize with their
aspiration and action in spite Of all balance
of mower theories Then why is Panslayism
any more unnatural, more reprehensiDi' OF
more TO be feared than these "sms. ainties or as
pirations of other racesg II is natural for Amer
leans rs well Us other peoples to think that these
horrible atrocities perpeiratcd upon her CHRISTIAN
populations constitute the crime that should fasten
the indignation of the civilized world upon turkey
But these, iicudiah as they are described, are Only
occasional paroxysms of her spirit There Is some
thing far worse in the long run OF a peoples lie
than these occasional ebullitiOns of rage. For the
most deadly wounds inflicted on people are such
rs do not bleed; for bleeding wounds show life, and
can be healed. The slow, malarial disease of Dies
potisn POI sons the blood of people, and they show
IFS SYMPTOMS in every aspect of their moral, CIVIL
and Industrial life. If PanslavIsm under Russian
rule should shut off this poison from the Christian
populations of European Turkey and gradually heal
the malady Il has caused, who would lose by the
change!
There are a considerable number of the old Amer
lcan hbolitonistS still living who remember well
how deeply they were exercised forty years ago by
fine position which the American Board for Foreign
Missions assumed toward slavery. "Therc were
great screenings of heart for the divisions OF
Reuben both at home and abroad. on that qucs-
ton. Few have forgotten the agitation produced
by the pro-savcry leaning of that body, and how
that great number of its old supporters came OUT
of il and formed the American Missionary Society
as protest against slavery and all utilization with
il. There are many of IFS left who remember well
the arguments or apologies for slavery urged from
the platform, pulpit, and press, which we had
to meet from wear to year. ! heard New
England Senator of high standing in Church
! ana State declare in the United States Sen
| ate that American slavery had done more to
evangel7e and elevate the African race than all te
Christian missionaries sent to that continent hdn
ever done to that end. Never was scVercr strain
/ mt upon the faith of thousands of Christians III
| this country than this pTo-slavery attitude OF
churches and religious bodies in all the Northern
/ States Many fell under the test and all who STOOD
il through would deeply regret to see the religious
public III America subjected or exposed to Silnliaf
trial But it will be well for that public to rcmem-
Der that the people of this country hate slavery as
! heartily as ever even if its victims are wh'e III
! stead of black and are collective populations as
well as individuals. And there is much reason to
fear that this fact is not recognized by great many
! Christian people and churches, and that they are
drifting into position on this Eastern question like
! that of the American Board. and nearly the whole
religious public 10 years ago, i'll regard to American
/ slavery For see in some of the religious as wei
! as secular papers disposition TO side with
: Turkey to deny the number and char
! actcr of her atrocities. or to cancel them
/ hy comparing them with cruclties committed by u
! Christian nation in Ireland, India, or AShantee'
/ Now il would be natural to expect that the AmerI-
can Dalgettys IN the Turkish service and the Ameil-
can manufacturers who forge, point and polish bay
onets for the Bashi-BazOuks, should show leaning
J toward Turkey, for they are we'll paid for IT, But
when we see our rel gous public leaning in the same
direction under different motive the fact assumes
! serions aspect Ii is q fact which can only be ac-
couutcd for from the fear that, If Russia should
! come to Constmtinoplc our missionary institutions
! there might be endangered, just as England fears
! India wOuid be from the same cause; ana - size
wonld prefer to see COnstantinOple forever under
! Mohanmodan rule than under Christian power
/ like Russia, 50 many earnest friends OF our turkish
missions may feel the same preference, and thus
drift INFO Emgland's position this Eastern Cues
ton Now in dong this they are in great danger Of
falling into the old mistake Of tie American Board
in regard TO It's attitude toward slavery in this conn
try Let us find parallel of the position they are
! beginning 10 assume
There il q vast upas tree planted at the center OF
the Old World, on the dividing line Of two CONT
nents Its deadly branches reach outward 800
miles and more in every direction. Under their
/ Ir;,, ta ynrV ST.
plcs and monuments of GrccIan, Roman, and He
hrew civilization melt to dust. Nature herself Is
| poisoned with the subtle miasma; the ground l.
cursed with IT, and Yields only th0rns thistes. and
weeds as the spontaneous harvest of lndolcncc or
hopeless industry. The populations of various race
and tongue living under this shadow OF death take
anon them it, palior and feel its chill III then VEINS
But into the crotch of this monstrous tree much
drifting dust has settled, and made mold Of con-
siderable depth. In this few lovers of goodness
and Lcauty have planted an exotic flower, which has
grown uXuIiaHtly to delicious bloom. It's delicate
timing and sweet perfume delight all who stop to see
its beauty and breathe its OdOr. They cry out against
the Northern W0Odnan coming with ms AK TO
cut down the tree. They look and long for some
strong arm 70 strike it from his hand, They invoke
such an arm with the pathetic appeal, Spare thar
tree! Spoil not this precious flower! Its sweetness
and beauty are well worth all the little damage
which the trees shade does to tho world. 1t is not
80 posonou, or unhealthy after all that is said and
believed These sicky, complaining peoples would
be poor and miserable under any other tree Within
AL the great space il there would be just AS
much squal0r palor iilh, iudOlcnce, and wretched-
ness under any shade light Spare that tree, then
for the flowers sake"
Now does not this argument or appeal sound like
the sentiments we read III many of our religious
papers or hear uttered from the platform by re-
lilions speakers! Sasiiaoa' qr yGRsuh is the faith