Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, January 29,
1896. (Received Feb. 15.)
No. 790.]
[Inclosure in No. 790.]
Mr. McNaughton to
Mr. Terrell.
Manisa, January 22,
1896.
Dear Sir: Your kind letter of January 1,
bearing greetings for the new year, was duly received. I can assure
you that we reciprocate your generous feelings and appreciate your
earnest endeavors on behalf of our safety. Your prompt and energetic
intervention when needed has doubtless saved the missionaries,
especially those of the interior, much inconvenience, discomfort,
and, very probably, in some cases their lives.
While deeply deploring the sad series of massacres that occurred
throughout the Empire, and the evident impotency of the European
Powers to agree on any action tending to allay these cruel wrongs,
we have great cause for thankfulness that the lives of all the
missionaries have been protected.
I believe the brave, unselfish conduct of our missionary brethren and
sisters in the interior, who, at the risk of their lives, have stood
faithfully at their posts, must evoke from every generous nature
praise and admiration. In reading home news we see that different
views of the situation prevail.
One view is that missionaries have no right to remain in their fields
of labor under conditions that make their personal safety
precarious. I admit that circumstances must often be a guide to
action, but on broad principles I believe it to be as inexcusable
for a missionary to desert his post in time of danger as it would be
for a captain to desert his storm-tossed ship and leave the
passengers and crew to perish, or for a general in the heat of
battle to flee and leave his soldiers to the merciless cruelty of
their enemies.
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The presence of the missionaries at their posts has saved hundreds of
lives during this sad period of bloodshed, and will now, as relief
agents, save thousands of others.
Your continual interference in their behalf has done much to make
their work of mercy possible, and I am very sure your endeavors will
be deeply appreciated by every one of them.
Very sincerely, yours,
