Norwich bulletin., 1910-02-25
DR. HUNTINGTON TELLS
 OF NEW DAY IN TURKEY.
The Future of the Country Depends on Cordial, Patient Goodwill of the Christian World.

Rev. Dr. Henry s. Huntington. pas tor emeritus of the Congregational church at Milton, Mass, was the speaker on Thursday evening before the prayer meeting of Broadway Con gregational church, addressing a thor oughly interested audience upon the subject The New Day in Turkey. Dr. Huntington spent the early years of his life with his grandparents at Nor wich Town, leaving here to go to col lege. He spoke from an intimate ac- quaintance with his subject, as he was in Constantinople at the time of Adana nassacres and of the promulgation of the constitution on July 24th, 1908. This, he declared, marked an era which will be as worthy of commem- oration in that country as is the Dec laration of Independence, July 4, 1776-
 In detail Dr. Huntington told of the various causes which led to the abol- ishment of the despotism of Abdul Hamid, and how this was accomplish ed by the progressive Young Turks.
 In conclusion, Rev Dr. Huntington said: You ask me what has been the final result of this last effort of despot- ism to overthrow liberty in Turkey? And what are. the prospects of the lib- eral government? I think those best acquainted with the situation are unanimous in believing that these pros pectG are brighter than at any previous time The reactionaries are impressed with the danger of treason. It was gruesome sight and contrary to vour 
 good when those traitors were gibbeted upon the streets of Constantinople. But this is an old practice in the Ori- ent, and the Young Turks thought they must Tighten their enemies They certainly were lenient enough with the chief traitor, Abdul Hamid in keeping him prisoner in a palace at Salonica.
 'sThe Turkish parliament. on which humanly speaking. the future chiefly depends. has a vast and complicated task before it. Where almost every public interest has been neglected for centuries, what must be reformed. first 2"
 Dr. Huntington spoke of attending a session of the parliament on the s2d If June, where the greater part of the assembly of 200 was in European citizens dress. All the men had kind, intelligent, attractive faces. They are no dullards and their faces express dignity and thought. Their handling of this work of legislation, so new to them, was a lesson to us Americans about the greatness of our familiar privileges.
 'If you ask what has parliament ac- tually done, what important measures they have adopted, ask you to re- member that necessarily in their con- ditfon. long, patient study of questions must precede action. They had to spend much time discussing the mas sacres which Abdul Hamid excited in Adana- They have debated the oues-
 
 press. They have been compelled to spend much time. over their relations with Bulgaria. Austria and Greece. They have had to study measures for restoring order in the Baghdad coun- try. They have adopted a law as to vagabonds. men who have come to Sonstantinople fancying that under lis>- erty they can get money without work They have done some things towards improving the roads of tn eempire. They have sent 200 young men to schools in Europe and a few girls to the American college at Scutari- And the great primary questions of public education, finance and development of the national resources have received marked attention.
 What can we Americans do for Turkey? We can realize that their success or failure is our own affair. for of all the causes which have pro duced a new Turkey. no other is so potent as the silent persuasive infiu- ences of American Christian mission aries. We can believe in them, for whatever the faults of the different na- tionalities they have fine characteris- tics, adapted to make a noble nation. We can cherish such a friendly care for them as will lead us to think of them and pray for them- Does this seem only triffe? But rem ember how deeply and long America has appre- ciated the friendship of France during our Revolution. The future of Turkey depends a great deal upon the cordial, patient goodwill of the Christian world.