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Leader (1850-1860), 14th September 1850, Edition Town of 1, Page 580, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      CRIMES AND OUTRAGES IN AMERICA . The American papers received by the last mail contain accounts of an unusual number of crimes and outrages in Philadelphia . It appears that the city of Brotherly Love is divided into several independent municipal districts , and that the police of any one of the boroughs dare not act in any district but their own . The villains who are guilty of flagrant crimes , therefore , go from one district into another , laugh at the police , and set them at defiance . A few nights before the mail left Boston , four men set upon a jewellerMr . Charles Burd , stabbed him to the heart ,

      , and robbed him of a box of jewellery , his watch , and money ; and all this in a crowded street , as eraly as eight o ' clock in the evening . Several citizens saw the affair , but thought it was merely an affray of ruffianly gangs , and that if they interfered they might be shot ox stabbed . Less than forty-eight hours before this fatal deed , a youth named Armitage was shot dead by assassins near the same place ; and a few nights before that again , Mr . Stousholtz was shot dead by a gang of ruffians , to whom he had

      given no provocation . Within the same brief period there were six attempts at assassination against police officers and others , chiefly in the lower districts of Philadelphia , where scarcely a night passes without attempts at incendiarism being made , many of which are destructively successful , Several gangs of outlaws pollute these districts with their presence , and commit all kinds of outrages with impunity . Nay , such is the power of their evil combinations , that in numerous instances constables are afraid to

      act , and witnesses are intimidated from giving testimony . Such are the alarming effects of timidity in carrying out the law , and also of au inefficient police . At White Oak , Virginia , a fortnight ago , William Brown killed Mr . John Fagot , and then destroyed himself . At Hancock , Indiana , a rich farmer named Kennedy , shot his daughter in mistake for his wife , whom he said he intended to kill . Mrs . Secors , of Fishkill , New York , killed her servant girl with a razor on Sunday fortnight , and then cut her own throat during a fit of mental derangement .

      Untitled Article

      DENMARK AND SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN . Excepting some insignificant conflicts between the outposts of the two hostile parties , on the 28 th , 30 th , and 31 st ultimo , nothing very serious has occurred in the Duchies . The two armies still occupy their former position , save that the right wing of the Danes has made a retrograde movement , viz ., their brigade , which was stationed near Kochendorf , between Fleckebye and Eckernfoerde , has recrossed the river Schlei , and retired to Missunde and

      Brodersbye . In short , a truce de facto exists , which will , however impatient the armies may be , \ most likely last for a lengthened period ; in fact , the heavy rains have rendered every renewal of military operations of importance quite impossible . To the north of Friedrichstadt , between that town and Stolinghausen , the marshes are flooded , so that the whole of the territory north-west of llendsburg may be considered impassable for any important military purpurpose . The flat meadows around Friedrichstadt are also under water .

      On the 31 st ultimo eight Russian men-of-war and a Danish frigate took their position before the harbour of Kiel ; but on the 3 rd instant that squadron was reduced to four men-of-war and one brig . Is that already the beginning of carrying out the combined threat of Russia and England , which was lately spoken of in diplomatic circles at Berlin ? viz ., that a joint note , signed by the Russian and English Ministers , had reached the Berlin Cabinet on the 4 th instant , requiring the armed intervention of Prussia in Molstein , for the purpose of restoring peace . Should Prussia decline this duty , the united fleets of the two powers arc to bombard Kiel .

      The Irankfort Diet has nominated a commission to take in hand the affairs of Schleswig-Holstein . Persons who think they are well informed as to the intentions of the Diet , state that this committee will name a commissioner to proceed to Rcndsburg to endeavour to effect a reconciliation . But it is stated at the same time that the commissioner will not be well received in Holstcin . This proceeding is throughout calculated to prove a source of embar « rassment to Prussia . Seventeen or eighteen governments of the union have ratified the Danish treaty at lierlin .

      The dohujne Gazvttc hns a telegraphic despatch , dated Altonti , Sept . 9 , stating that on a previous day mi action had taken phieo along the whole line of the outposts . The ; lighting wns more especially lively along the loft wing of the Srhloswig-IIolstein army . This . e . onsisting of the «) th and 11 th infantry battalions , and the first division of cavalry , was at iirat forced to fall buck upon Niidorstupel ; after which , rcinforcej nontH having arrived , tlio Danes wore thrown into disorder by thorn and pressed back to the Trccne . lufty . eight prisoners were brought into Iicndsburg , while nine wagons of the wounded of the first euvalry division arrived at lleide . The centre of the Suhlcswig-IIolstciu army has

      advanced to Jagel ( near Schleswig ) , and Breckendorf ; this is , as yet , the only result of the fight . We perceive that Rendsburg was honoured last week by a visit from three members belonging to the committee of the Society for the Abolition of War . These three gentlemen , Messrs . Joseph Sturge , Elihu Burritt , and Frederick Wheeler , were induced by the representations of Dr . Bodenstedt , at the recent congress at Frankfort , to proceed there on their own responsibility , in order to prevent a further effusion of blood and to promote an amicable adjustment of the difference , by persuading the Staathalterschaft , Governmentto refer

      and subsequently the Danish , the question at issue to the decision of arbitrators . They were very kindly received by the Staathalterschaft , who listened to their views with attention , but were unable to give them any satisfactory reply , seeing that they expressed their readiness to submit to any peace which is based on the rights endangered by the conquering desires of the Danish mob at Copenhagen . With this reply the friends of peace were compelled to depart , after having been hospitably entertained by the Government . They have since gone to Copenhagen , on the same mission , but we have not heard the result of their visit .

      Untitled Article

      BARON HUMBOLDT AND THE PEACE CONGRESS . The following letter was sent to the Peace Congress , by Baron Humboldt , during its late meeting at Frankfort : —

      " to the president and members of the peace congress . " I regret so much the more that my personal position and advanced age , which warns me to complete what work I have commenced , should hinder me from assisting at a meeting having so noble an aim in view , as it would have afforded me the gratification of coming into close contact with so many men distinguished for talent and humanity . I have already -verbally expressed this regret , a few weeks ago , when I had the pleasure to see Messrs . Henry Richard and Elihu Burritt , and Visschers , and to converse with them on the probable influence which your society may hope to exercise .

      " The general peace which our Continent has now so long enjoyed , and the praiseworthy efforts of many governments to avert the oft-threatening dangers of a general European war , prove that the ideas which so prominently occupy your minds are in accordance with the sentiments called forth and diffused by the increased culture of humanity . It is a useful enterprize to inspire such sentiments in the commonwealth by public conferences , and at the same time to point out the way through which wise and sincere Governments may , by fostering the progressive and legitimate development and perfectibility of free institutions , weaken the long-accumulated elements of animosity .

      " How much mildness of manners and an improved order in the organization of states have confined within narrower limits the wild outbursts of physical violence , may be seen by comparaing the first middle ages with modern times . The whole history of the past shows that , under the protection of a superior Power , a longnourished yearning after a noble aim in the life of nations will at length find its consummation . Has not the disgraceful legislation , conniving at , yea , encouraging the infamous system of slavery and the traffic in human beings , at least on our Continent , and in the independent states of former Spanish America , yielded to the united efforts of the better part of mankind ?

      " We must not , then , relinquish the hope that a path will open by which all hostile divisions and contracting jealousies will gradually disappear . The whole history of the world teaches , to use the expression of a statesman long departed , ' that the idea of humanity becomes in the course of centuries ever more visible , in a more enlarged acceptation , and proclaims its animating power . ' " Inspired with these hopes and wishes , honoured men , I beg to commend myself to your kind remembrance , &c , "Alexander Von Humboldt . " Potsdam , August 20 . "

      Untitled Article

      PRUSSIA AND AUSTRIA . Intelligence has reached Berlin from Vienna , that the Austrian Cabinet has rejected the Prussian proposal of a free conference of all the governments , in which arc to be settled the mutual relations of the German states . Prince Schwarzenberg is greatly indignant that his lost note has been regarded as a sign of the Austrian Government ' s return to reason and a conciliatory spirit , and intends , in his next letter , to give a signal proof that his cabinet is now as wise as it always was . He will insist upon referring the

      affairs of Germany to a plenum , a project which cannot be carried out , partly because all the princes connected with the union , even Brunswick , have declined , with Prussia , the Austrian invitation to Frankfort ; and partly because France and England have declared that they cannot acknowledge any political body ns the central organ of Gormany in which Prussia is not represented . The Duke of Brunswick , whoso adherence to the union has hitherto been uncertain , has sent in a definite declaration of his faithfulness to the engagements of May liG ,

      The Austrian Government has borrowed the small sum of £ 700 , 000 sterling of certain bankers at Hamburgh and in Berlin cm the security of the national domains *

      Count Munster has left Berlin for St . Petersburg , on a special mission . The Prussian police are very active in finding out dangerous political persons , as the following instance will shew : —Towards the end of last month Herr von Lindenau , the Police-director at Treves , accompanied by another agent , proceeded to the summer residence of a veteran of the late grand army of Napoleon , who smilingly receivin g ^ them , said * 'I guess the purport of your visit , gentlemen . You are anxious to possess yourselves of M . Ledru Rollin . " ** Such indeed is the

      object of our official visit to you , having been informed of that gentleman being in your house . " The old captain , scarcely master of his temper , told them that his barber having met at his residence a stranger , with whom he spoke French , and evincing great curiosity to know who he was , he ( the Captain ) wishing to mystify him , told him , in confidence , that the stranger was no other person than M . Ledru Hollin . We can easily guess the channel through which the Prussian police became acquainted with this state secret .

      Untitled Article

      THE CONFLAGRATION AT CRACOW AND THE AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT . In the Leader of July 27 th we stated that a dreadful fire had broken out on the 18 th at Cracow . Since then we have been furnished with some details of the catastrophe , and also with the probable causes of it . It appears that the fire broke out at one o ' clock p . m . in Krupnicza- street , situated in a northwestern suburb of Cracow , and , the wind being in the west , the lower mills and upwards of ten houses situated in the direction of the wind were burnt down . At half-past one the house of Mr . "Wysocki ,

      situated at the corner of Glemboka-street and of the Plantations , * at a distance of 2000 paces from the seat of the first outbreak ( and in a southern direction from it ) , at once burst into flames . At a quarter to two flames were seen issuing from the Polytechnic Institution , situated in Golembia-street , as well as from the palace of the Archbishop in Francis-street , and Wielopolski ' s Palace , to the imminent danger of the University , the Jagellonian Library , and the newly-established Museum ; but , owing to the great courage and zeal of the students of the University and of the high school , headed by their professors , those

      latter three noble edifices were saved , though at once on fire at four different points . At two o ' clock all the houses of Szeroka-street , with the Dominican Church , and Grodzka- street were in flames ; as also were several houses in an eastern direction between the plantations and the bridge , communicating with the suburb of Kazimierz . The fire at the Polytechnic Institution communicated itself to the buildings containing the printing-office and the lithographical establishment of the university , as well as the church of the United Greeks . At a quarter past two the Franciscan Church , with all its extensive buildings ,

      took fire . The Dominican Library and the Convent were at the same moment a prey to the devouring element . At a quarter to three the butchers' stalls , situated behind the Dominican Church and Convent , caught fire ; so likewise did five streets , viz ., Bratskastreet , Grodzka-street , Vistula-street , Stolarskastreet , and Golembia-street . At three o ' clock every house in the last-meniioned street was the prey of the flames . The library of the University in St . Ann ' s-street was saved , but all the other houses in the same street were reduced to ashes . At that moment the confusion and the lamentations of the people at the sight of the churches being consumed element soul

      by the raging were a -stirring spectacle . At the same hour St . Joseph ' s-street , and in it the church of the same name , as well as the cloister of the nuns of St . Francis , were in flames , At five o ' clock all the most costly shops in Grodzka-street were blazing . At seven o ' clock the students of the University were most zealously endeavouring to extinguish the fire of the palace of the Archbishop . At eight o ' clock in the evening all the houses and public edifices were burning without the slightest chance of being saved , presenting a perfect sea of flame . An unceasing and fearful cracking noise of the falling in of vaults of churches and other edifices was heard during the whole ensuing night .

      The conflagration , which began on the 18 th at midday , raged , during three entire days ; it was only on the morning of the 21 st that the fire was almost entirely subdued . Eleven streets , four churches , and 227 houses , were reduced to ashes by the merciless element . The number of houseless families amounts to about 1500 . Now , if we bear in mind the striking fact , that tho

      fire broke out almost instantaneously with the first , at a distance of 2000 paces , and not in the direction of the wind ( for in its direction not a single house was burnt ) , and that precisely in a quarter where all the monumental edifices and scientific establishments stood , we must naturally infer that the conflagration was the result of incendiarism , and that the insignificant mills and wooden houses which were first on fire was the work of some criminal hand , merely to

      Untitled Article

      * The plantations are a walk with four rows of trees ocoupying the ground on which once stood the towered wall surrounding the old city .

      Untitled Article

      580 C !) * 3 L $ aif * t . [ Saturday ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 14, 1850, page 580, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1853/page/4/