Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-10-22

hou hSoIu FuHOtS OF most destructive
tire IN Mobile, which we were inclined to
think was either unfounded, or had grown
outof a former conhugration, that happen
ed few weeks ago; but our disbelief was
changed into sad reality this day friday
on receiving the Mercantile Advertiser of
the 9th, giving melancholy account Of a
most destructive conAagration which oc-
Cured on the 9Th instant, that consumed
j squares Of the city--barning 3 hotels,
the Planters and Merchants Banking
House, and about 500 other buildings--
destroying property estimated at more
than million of dollars. The same pa
per sites that several hundred families, BY
this awful dispensation, are turned out
into the open air, almost without clothing
or subsistence. This is sad misfortune
to Mobile; but it is what we long since
predicted, ifa FIRE should break out, during
the prevalence of the epidemic. And that
it would, we had not the least doubt; for,
our country swarms with men of the most
abandoned propensities and dissolute hab.
ITS, who are ever on the lookout for mis-
chief; and who would rob the cottage as
soon as the palace, and commit murder as
readily as do either. This being the case,
then, there can be no wonder at the
many fires that occur throughout tho whole
country, nor ofthe vast amount of crime
which is daily committed.-That some
measures should be adopted to prevent
the like. there can be no doubt; but to
whom it belongs to make the first move
is the question. Experience has shown
that the law is either TOO tarGy in its oper.
alton, or not sufficient; and if it is, the
great difficulty next is, to catch the VIII
ians--a difficulty which hitherto has been
most formidable. We do hope, however,
that Providence will lend helping hand
in ferreting out The more than fiendish
scoundrels, and that the law will yet have
its course on their guilty heads.
Ger. 1O.-STILL LATER.--From a let
ter received by friend in this place, we
learn the following:-Last night another
fire broke out, and burnt all the buildings
on the square, on which was situated the
government street theatre, inclusive OF
that edifice.
The object of this fire was no doubt to
draw the attention of the citizens up town
SO as to afford an opportunity to get into
the vaults of the Planters and Merchants
Bank, which at that time had not been ex.
cavatcd from the ruins of the previous con.
aagration. There can be no doubt but
that it is the work of incendiary hands;
and several have been taken up on suspi.
cion; ano it is feared, so exasperated are
the people, that they will be executed with.
out either judge rjury.
GREAT FIRE IN New YoRK.-Our New
York papers of this morning, are filed with
accounts of a most destructive fire that occur.
red in that city on the night of the fifth instant
The fire broke out near Burling slip, in the
vicinity of the u. States Gate Holt's) Hotel
and spread with tremendous fury-destroyme
property valued at million and half of dollars
The dome of that fine edifice was at one time
in flames, and great deal of shipping had tt
be hauled of: We have not room for furthe
particulars.
ADfal confagration in Philadclphia.-
: From Postscript in the Baltimore Re
publican, we learn that very destructive
fire occurred in the city of Philadelphia OF
the night of the 9Th inst, by which more
! than Al buildings were destroyed, and tn,
t lives Of three fremen lost. We have n,
i room for details. Columbus Democrat
LETTER OF Mn. PRENrIss.-Tn thi
: days paper, will be found the letter of tn
Hon. S. S. Prenliss, in reply to the Hon
K. ]. Walkers famous "Vindication," I,
which VIC invite the attention of our read
ers, & especially those who call themselve
4 Democrats; as we think they will therein
! see, that the honorable gentleman has no
y been the most consistent in his polIticu
course, and that, furthermore, to use
homely expression,h he is literally''used up
tits long document; but is written in
n fine style, and abounds with much iron
e and wit, as we'll as sound logical argu
1t ment on which account, if no other, it
L well worth dozen perusals. 1t scarcel
e isaves a grease spot Of the Hon. Senate
IS behind, TO tell where he stood.
}. GOVERNMENT Drill OFFIcERs!-Th
h government appears to have organised
IS new establishment, somewhat similar i
Ie the War Department, by sending throug
1t the country Political Drill oQicers, to ir
,e struct tie people in its peculiar mode {
warfare. And Columbus, we understan,
can boast Of several at this time-who al
;, busily engaged in teaching tie science.
y AS the government pays all expenses
$ no charge Of course is made ofthe peopl,
l. except, that they first pay it to the govern
y in the shape Of taxes and revenues.
p Now this appears very clever to men ~