The Massacre in Syria.; LETTER FROM THE AMERICAN CONSUL AT BEIRUT. Published: August 10, 1860http://www.nytimes.com/1860/08/10/news/the-massacre-in-syria-letter-from-the-american-consul-at-beirut.html
The following letter was read at the Monthly Concert of prayer for Missions, in Providence, R.I., on the 4th inst.:
BEIRUT, SYRIA, Thursday, June 28, 1860.
MY DEAR SIR -- You have doubtless heard of the horrible massacres that have just been perpetrated upon the poor Christians of Mount Lebanon by the Druses, aided in some cases by Turkish soldiery.
A few facts may give you an adequate idea of the present state of things in Syria. The American Missionaries have estimated the loss sustained by the Christians at 10,500, and that of the Druses about 1,200. The inhabitants of the Christian towns of Deir il Komr and Hasleeiya were brutally slaughtered in cold blood, after a full surrender had been made. Thirty or forty convents have been plundered and burned, and the monks were put death, some of whom were French. Nearly one hundred villages have been burned, and the crops of the peasantry destroyed! Many churches also, have been burned -- among them the American-Mission Chapel at Hasleeiya, and the school-houses at Deir il Komr.
The facts are enough to strike the civilized world with horror; but there is yet something to be told. It is believed that not less than sixty thousand Christians are now homeless and starving, and have no other hope for subsistence than the charity of the Christian world! More than 5,000 fugitives have been supported by the consuls, missionaries, merchants and convents of Beirut; but this is only a temporary arrangement. Something must be done for the starving, homeless thousands who are now hiding in caves and other secret places until peace shall be declared. Beirut is no longer a place of safety for Christians. Moslem fanaticism is now fully aroused, and the Turkish Government has found it necessary to station a platoon of soldiers in every consul's house for their protection. Thousands of the Christian refugees, and large numbers of the native residents, have fled the country. Indeed, the land is full of misery and the deepest woe.
American missionaries, aided by the guards from the American Consulate, have brought away many poor, besieged and persecuted Christians, whose lives have been thus preserved; and the English vessels of war have picked up about 2,000 fugitives, many wounded women and children, who had escaped to the seacoast -- and there is still work for them to do.
What can be done in the United States for these famishing widows and orphans? I will say nothing now of vengeance, for the European Powers will no doubt exact justice for this great crime; but humanity calls upon me not only to distribute bread to the crowds around my house, but to present their cause to my countrymen, and to arouse their sympathies in behalf of this persecuted people.
The King of Greece has sent a sum of money for their present relief, and efforts are being made elsewhere to collect money for that object. America sent food to Ireland and to Greece, and will not something be done for the Christians of Syria? * * * *
Respectfully and truly yours, J. AUGUSTUS JOHNSON.
Rev. FRANCIS WAYLAND, D.D.
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In 1860, the Lebanese Druze attacked the Christian Maronites
IslamoFascism did not exist in 1860. To the extent it has a coherent doctrine, it is that Muslim mullahs should play a role in government. This is utterly foreign to Muslim ideology since the very first caliphs. Muslim government, while controlled by Muslims, was actually secular in nature. The Muslim religious leaders were much more likely to be found in opposition to the government than running it.
The Druze can be described in a number of ways. They cannot, however, be described as Muslims.
They do not consider themselves Muslim, and neither do Muslims.