The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-05

The following article from the Philadelphia
American Sentinel, places, in a strong point Of
view, the melancholy effect of giving way to
fears, however natural in cases of apparent dan
ger, where the exercise of little self-command
would insure safety. Narrowing indeed must
have been the feelings of those who, as specta-
tators were unable to render any aid in reliev-
ing the poor little innocents from the inevitable
destruction produced by the ill-judged precipita-
ton of their friends. Even the greatest and
most appalling calamities may be warded
off, or mitigated by GOODNESS and deliberation,
and had self-command been exercised on the oc-
casion named there can be no doubt there would
have been great preservation of human life.
1t IS hoped that the instance here given of head
long preclpitancy, will be a warning to prevent
its recurrence on future similar occasions, and
thus prove the melancholy, but salutary means
of doing good. The article is evidently written
under the influence Of the deep-seated sympa-
thies that do honor to our nature, and do honor
to the heart which dictated it, We do not, in
the general, like to deal in the distressing, but
feel it our duty to lay the picture, so graphically
sketched, before our readers, that good may be
effected.
THE FIRE AND IT'S CONSEQUENCES.
Never has fallen to our lot to record consequences
more disastrous, when there apparent danger,
than those consequent upon the fire near Poplar
lane and Sixth Streets yesterday morning. The fire
originated in a carpenter shop, about half squire dis
| tant from the Public Primary School, in which were
from ninety to hundred children, between the
ages of four and twelve years. There danger of
the fire extending to the school house at ALL but the
wind blowing in that direction carried column OF
heavy black smoke Immediately it, which part-
ally filled the room, and naturally enough, filled the
minds Of the little with fear and CONSERVATION
and what no doubt increased the panic, and added
new horrors to the sceDe is the fact that not day
SINCE little GIRL the associate and playmate of many
of these children in that immediate neghborhood,
met horrible and cruel death, 10y her clothes taking
fire. The teachers all females, raised the windows,
and inquired of the iemen, who with their appara-
us, surrounded the building, if there was any dan
| ger. They were told there none-to lock the
doors and keep the children in. This was done, and
| if it had remained all would have been we'll. But
report had been circulated that the school house It
self was on fire, which, reaching the parents ears,
caused rush to the school, each anxious for the
safety of their children. And now commenced a
scene such as we trust we may never again witness
Mothers calling their children-some in hoarse &C
| cents demanding; others beseechng that the doors
might be broken in, that they might be assured of the
safety OF their little ones, oy peculiar uemonstraoh
1t impossible, to satisfy them that they were in
place of safety-that the building was in no danger,
or to convince them of the real danger attendant upon
such precipitancy. The door burst open, the
noise attendant upon which increased the difficulty
ten fold-every blow leveIed at the door sent chill
to the hearts of the children, who now fancied the
building on fire. From the windows they could see
their mothers and with their little hands oustl etched
screamed in piteous accents for them to save them
Confusion COMPOUNDED ensued-people rushed
in-the affrighted children hurried to the stairway
and preciptated to the bottom by those behind
Parents, in the confusion, rampled upon their owI
children. Some dangerously hurt, many horn
bly, bruised and disfgured and all frightened nearly
to DEATH AS far we could learn, twelve were more
| or less injured-one it was thought fatally