Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-09-22
The Massacre of Christians in Syria.

A considerable body of French troops has been
landed at Beyrout Syria for the purpose of protect
ing the Christians and furnishing the DruSes ia
natical set of Mohammedons who have recently
committed such atrocities in that region. The ar
rival Of these troops and the fleets of various Chris
tan nations, was hailed by the Christians with the
livelest satisfaction. \ correspondent of the Bos-
ton 7rareller, writing from Beyrout under date
August %, says: 1--WE still hope to see an Ameri-
can fleet or one man-ofwar at least to prevent hope
deferred from making the heart sick"
Syria as is well known, is under Turkish rule.
The Christians of ancient Palestine, and even those
of Jerusalem, menaced by the same calamities
which have befallen those of Damascus and other
Cities. The Sultan appears to be doing all in his
power to restrain and punish the warlke Druses of
Lebanon. But France, under her able and sagacious
Emperor, has gone calamity to the rescue. Impor-
tant events in that portion of Asia may be the re-
suit of this French occupation of Syria. Amid the
desolation and gloom that brood over Syria the
character of Abdel-kader, the Algerine Chieftan,
shines with resplendent lustre. Abd-el-Kader was
conquered by the French under Louis Philippe, az
ter series of conflicts in Algeria which gave repu
taton to a number of French Generals, and estab
lished for him fame as Chieftan which will live
in history. Louis Philippe broke faith with him,
and kept him during his reign in sort Of honora-
bic captivity; but the present Emperor released him.
and the old Chiefain, with his household, including
number of wives, repaired to Damascus and took
up his residence in that City. Abd-elKader is, of
course, Mohammedon, but he has a heart large
enough to embrace all humanity. correspon-
dent of the London Daily Ners, writing from Bey
rout, says:
1.-THE Christian quarter in Damascus is now
vast charne-houSe. The stencil that rises from the
burnt and purifying bodies is intolerable Hun
dreds Of dogs have taken possession of it. and stare
with wild and frenzied look at whoever approach
es to disturb them in their horrid feast while
the want Of water is driving many of them
mad. All the fugitives declare with one accord,
that had it not been for Abdel- RAIDER, not male
Christian would have escaped. The exertionS made
by this ilustrOus to save the Christians are
incredible. While the Government soldiers both
regular and irregular either leaving the Chris
tians to their fate, joining IN the massacre, Abdel
kader rallied around him some scores of his deyo-
ted followers the remnants Of his old guard and
hurried off in person to the scene of murder Not
content with rcscung these he encountered in the
streets he entered the houses and tore the victims
from beneath the very Of their aSsassins
These latter many times presented their muskets at
his breast and threatened to shoot him. but undiS-
mayed the hero would himself tear open his vest
uncover his breast, and eXcaim, "Shoot me shoot
me; prefer death to witnessing such enormitics :;
and the ruians fell back abaShed before the noble
and undaunted cOuntenance Of one whom even they
remembered was the far-famed champion of Islam"
In the language of the correspondent, ain this
age of testimonials, is there man on earth who de-
serves a testimonial more than he?"