New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-07

uron the summary execution of these murderers
| The story of such an event this will spread
rapidly from mouth TO month. If the guilty men
are suffered to escape punishment. the fact Will
soon he told in every part of the region, for the ~
noant people of the Turkish villages have whole
some dread of the power of foreign Governments
! to avengc the wrongs of their subjects. Inc con-
| clusion drawn from the escape of these murdercrs
would be- either tina: the murderers were correct IN
supposing that Mos'cm is not crminaliy guilty III
| killing Christian or that the American Govern
ment is too feeble Ia protect its citizens
| In every part of Turkey American citizens are
living remote from all other foreigners. and depend
ent for safety 10 life and property upon the will and
the power of the United States 70 protect its Gift
engaged in legitimate business in every part OF
the world. The result upon these men and women
of one case of hesitation on the part of Govern
ment can readily be imagined. These Americans are
Missionaries who have done and doing great
work in the education and elevation Of the people of
Turkey Their work has received and is now re-
cevng the highest praise from men OF high position
in various lands Some of these men attach To the
influence IN Turkey of the American missionaries
an almost international importance. lhey see III II
"a growing power worthy 10 be noted even IN tue
consideration OF the political fat are of the lurksh
Empire. This fact would not OF course. weigh WIN
our Government as motive to action III ease IKE
the present. 1t would only 30 to satisfy the mind
OF the President that men who ENJOY the reputation
borne in Europe by these MISSIONARIES would mol DE
likely wiifully 70 create difficulties with the people
of Turkey. But Government is bound TO de-
lend the safety OF its citizens who are missionaries III
Turkey. Just as 1t would if they were merchants
If there a great corporation in this country
with capital OF millions invested IN business III
Turkey, and with a hundred American citizens re-
siding ~ that country It's agents, the Govern
ment would not hesitate 10 lnterieie III case Inc
action of the TURKISH Government lmper'ilcd the
property of the corporation or the lives OF us
agents.
IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THE MISSIONARIES.
The case of these American missionaries Is a par
allel one. The society which employs them places
them in the Turkish Empire to expend thousands of
dollars every year in the fnriherance Of its objects.
1t carries on a great book business. with sales in
every corner of Turkey aud il has opened 3O4
schools in that country, where 10000 scholars are
under instruction. IL also owns honseS and lana
in many of the Turkish cities and towns. BY its
operations the trade of country Is fosteTed a
may be seen, for instance, Ill the development of
the pa:roloum trade. Missionaries first introduced
American petroleum into Turkey and now almost
every town in the country is lighted with it, and
the names of the leading oil merchants of New
York are seen by every roadside. These mission
aries are entitled to the protection OF our Govern
ment exactly as much as if they were engaged ID
mercantile enterprises. This view OF the rights of
the Iussio uaries not impaired by the fact that
subscriptions to the capital stock Of this company
are made in every Northern State, and come from
the hearts of the people.
Enough has been said to show that the American
missionaries in Turkey need the active interference
of cur Government In tins case. ard that they are
entitled to it. Perhaps enough has also been SAID
to show the great assembly Of subscribers to the
miss onary enterprise, as well those who more
platonicaly approve the object of that enterprise,
that the safety of their investments is threatened
by the attitude of the Turkish Government toward
the murlcrers of Mr. Parsons There is surely Occa-
sion ior them to use some efforts inform public
opinion, and so 10 give moral support to our Gov
eminent action. But the honor of our country
abroad is at stake. Ile fact that America does not
like Europe intermeddle with Ques ions of admin
istrative reform in Turkey has created among the
people Of that country an impression that the United
States is roo remote to exercise any serious in |
fUence. The Government cannot afford TO give |
any support to this notion by DELAY In presenting |
demands in n case when il has right 10 Interfere.
European Governments feel the most lively inter |
est 10 every Of injury to foreigners in Turkey.
For hey know that one such crime UNFINISHED I'M
peIils the sfcty of the whole body of foreign res
idcnts. So strong Is this interest. that some wears
ago in much less important emergency, Euro
mean Ambassador at COnstantinOp!e offered to place
ship of war at the disposal of the American Min
lister III order obtain redress for the injury done
10 an American eli zen. All the European Arnbas-
sadOIs at COnstantnoplc are now critically obseTy-
inc the course of the United States in TINS If
there Is any hesitation in vigorous prosecution OF
The murderers of Mir. Parsons, even though The
sultan himself defends them, European Govern
ments Wlh draw their own conclusions.
Let tie President then give careful attention to
this case and see that the protecting power of our
flag is maintained. Let such prompt vengeance
follow tins murder Of an American citizen IN lur-
key as shall deter desperadOes throughout the En-
pre from similar attacks on Americans. he one
sentiment which appeals to the mind of Turkish
rulliau fear. Let that fear be wholesomely fos-
tereG. HENRY ". DWIGHT.
MolrisrHe, IT,. Aug 20. 1880