Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-08-18
THE SYRIAN MASsACRES.

The horrible massacreS thai have been per-
pc,rated in Syria, and in portions Of that coun-
try, too, which are OF singular interest to Chris
tendon, because of their frequent mention in
the Bible, have created no ordinary excitement
Those who can remember the awful massacre of
Scio, by the Turks, in 1922, may think the ex-
element which then existed was greater than
that which now exists, and perhaps they are
right but it should be born, in mind that in
1922 the Greek contest hat been waged for
several years, that the whole civilized world had
had its attention concentrated upon it for all
that time, and that the force of classical asso-
ciations was so strong as to cause the minds of
men to view every thing that related to Greece
through an exaggerating medium. As Chris
tians, the Greeks were persons of some note to
sons Of much more coGscqueiStt' S ny ~ VIZ, 49,
Why, the very name of Scio-the Chios of the
ancicnts, and the supposed home Of Homer
was sufficient to fire the blood of any man who
had any blood that was worth the firing, and
people felt as if there associations had all been
outraged when the Turks converted the most
beautiful island of IIellas into hell. The pu-
cts of those days were all on the side of the
Greeks, and the writings of Byron had made
Greece diving Greece to the world once
more. Not so is it with the Unhappy victims Of
the last outbreak of Mussumn fanaticism.-
They are comparatively unknown to us, though
their country is associated in our minds with
the power of Tyrian kings, AMI with "the fell
cities of Solomon" How many persons know
anything about the Maronitcs? Even well in
formed men may he excused for not knowing
much concerning them. We felt an interest in
them as Christians but if they had lived and
been murdered in some part of the world which
has no associations to the Christian mind, the
sentiment that exists would hive been langud
indeed rs compared with that which now pre-
walls both in America and in Europe.
The murders that have bcei perpetrated in
Syria are undoubtedly TO be attributed to that
outbreak of Mahometan Ianaicism which has
occurred of late years, and one Of the effects of
which was to peril the ascendmcy of the Eng
lish in India. Such is the cause of what has
Just happened, but the occasion of it is yet to
be mentioned. Admitting th,t there has been
an access of Mussulman fury, why should there
have been an outbreak againstthe Syrian Chris
tans? The Mussulmans Of Syria are among
the most tanatical members Of their faith, but
they are divided into two branches, the first and
most numerous sect being of the orthodox
branch or Soonees, while the ether is composed
of Druses, who are heretics, AMI yet not Sheahs.
Their hostility to one another is said to have
been the chief reason why these two sects have
allowed the Christians of Syria to live in conf
paraiyc safety until very recent period. Of
late, however, they have been making up their
differences for the purpose of directing all their
powers of persecution against the Christians
The chief cause of this evil union is to be found
in the tolerant policy adopted by the SultaLs
government. The llatti-Humayon assigned
equality of rights to Christians and Mussulmans,
which has made the latter angry as the Irish
Protestants of 1860 would have been made had
the English government assigned equal rights
before the law to the Irish Catholics. Any lit
tie differences that existed between orthodox
Mahometans and heretical Mahpmetans were to
be laid aside when ii was seen that Christians
were to be treated like men, and not Ike the
dogs they are politely called by the followers of
Mahomet. The old enemies have united to
hunt down the dogs, as a body of quarrelling
villagers in America or England would unite to
exterminate pack of real dogs reputed to be
mad. The feebleness of the central govern
ment has enabled them to accomplish their dia-
bolical purpose, and upon that ieebeness they
rely for immunity from punishment. The
strength of that government in its best days,
was largely due to the personal character of its
chiefs; but since the changes introduced by the
Sultan Mahmoud, it has been weaker than ever
before it was, though certain events have pro-
vented the full consequences of that weakness
from becoming visible Had there been no in
tervention in Turkish affairs from either the
North or the West, the Sultan's empire would
have disappeared years ago; and it is hard to
say which has tended most to keep it in exist
enco: Rossian hostility, or French and English
assistance. Unable to command the pashas,
unless aided by some Christian State, the Sui
tan's government has not been able to enforce
its tolerant policy to any great extent, or to
IL Ill ho Of ha
Syrian Christians This the fanatics know, and
hence they give the reins to their passions, and
scenes like those that have lately been presented
to the world will be common wherever there
are Turkish communities in which both Chris
tians and Mussulmans live. There will be no
end to them, except with the end of the lives
of the Christians, unless the European Powers
shall interfere on the grand scale for the res
toration of claw and order" The slowness
with which those powers act, when every hour
is of Importance, is owing to their jealousy OF