No. 583.
Mr. Fairchild to Mr. Evarts.
Madrid, September 4, 1880. (Received September 22.)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 51, dated August 11, 1880.
I am especially pleased to know that you so fully approve of the convention regarding affairs in Morocco. Being thoroughly convinced, land in this feeling I am supported by the opinion of every member of the late conference, that that solution of the questions which have for so many years led to much disagreement between the Government of Morocco and the foreign representatives at Tangier is the very best now attainable, and comes so near being entirely just to all parties concerned, I am anxious to see the convention ratified by every nation represented in the conference. There seems to be no doubt that such ratification will be given at an early day.
I note you express regret that it was not found “convenient or practicable to embody in the convention itself a provision recognizing the full and free liberty of conscience and worship, if not throughout the empire, then to the persons for whom protection is in whole or in part stipulated.”
I felt the same regret and would have gladly voted for such a provision, as would, I believe, nearly every member of the conference, had it been a question which could have properly been brought before it in that shape.
Knowing so well the opinions of my government and of the people of the United States in favor of the most complete religious liberty, and being in entire accord with those opinions, I should not have hesitated a moment to have voted for the strongest and most far-reaching provision on the subject; but during the many informal discussions of the question it was found that most of the plenipotentiaries did not feel authorized to include it in a formal convention, as the subject was not mentioned in the document inviting the conference, and they had no instructions to enter upon its discussion with that view. Sid Mohammed Vargas, the representative of Morocco, was not authorized to discuss the question at all, but was confined to the limits of presenting to the conference the letter of the Sultan on the subject and of receiving the address of the plenipotentiaries to His Sheriffian Majesty; therefore any attempt to embody such a provision in the convention would have been futile, as there was not the slightest possibility of an unanimous agreement thereto.
The plenipotentiaries could and did readily agree upon the terms of the address to the Sultan, and it is hoped that that address, expressing as it does the sentiment of the civilized world, and proceeding with some color of official authority from the representatives of twelve of the principal nations, will be heeded and have some effect upon the mind of His Sheriffian Majesty and tend to hasten the day we all desire to see, when every person in Morocco can, without fear, worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
It is believed by those familiar with the internal affairs of Morocco that it would not be possible, at present at least, for the Sultan to enforce a decree granting religious liberty, even if he were so disposed; that the feeling among his Mohammedan subjects of contempt and hatred of all who follow another religion is so deeply rooted that any [Page 929] attempt to relieve the non-Mohammedans of all their disabilities would at once cause a civil war, and that the only way to bring about religious toleration is to steadily, and in a friendly manner, press upon the attention of the Moorish Government and people the sentiments expressed in the address, thus advancing in that direction.
I beg to express the hope also that the renewed interest awakened on this subject by its present discussion may be a step in the direction of the repeal of all laws and decrees which now in even the smallest degree stand in the way of free, public, unmolested, unintimidated worship of God by all men everywhere, in such manner as may seem to them right, every religion standing on an equality before human laws, without special privileges to any church, sect, or profession.
I fear, sir, that neither you nor I will live to see that happy day; nevertheless, I think we may be permitted to indulge in the it will dawn at some future time.
I have, &c.,