The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-04

The following article from the Philadelphia
American Sentinel, places, in 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 sef-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 precipta-
ton of their friends. Even the greatest and
most appalling calamities may be warded
oil, or mitgated by GOODNESS and delberation,
and had seIf-coimmand 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
its recurrence on future similar occasions, and
thus prove the melancholy, but sautary 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
Sketcneu, before our TedueIS lildt Soou may NC
effected.
THE FIRE AND IT'S CONSEQUENCES.
Never has fallen to lot to record consequences
more disastrous when there was no apparent danger,
than those consequent upon the fire near Poplar
lane and Sixth streets, yesterday morning The tre
originated in 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 was no 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 over it, which paIt-
ally filled the room, and, naturally enough, hlled the
minds of the little with fear and CONSERVATION
| and what no doubt increased the panic, and added
horrors to the scene, is the fact that mol day
since, little girl the associate and play mate OF many
Of these children in that immediate neghborhood,
met horrible and cruel death, by her clothes taking
fire. The teachers all females, raised the windows,
and inquired Of the remen, who, with their appara-
tus surrounded the building if there was any dan
ger They told there was none-to lock the
doors and keep the children in. This was done and
if it had SO remained all would have been well But
a 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
scene such as we tIust we may never again witness.
| Mothers calling their chdren-some in hoarse &C
cents demanding; others beseeching that the doors
might be broken in that they might be assured of the
safety of their little ones by occular demonstration
II impossible TO satisfy them that they were IN
place of safety-that the building was in no danger
OF TO convince them of the real danger attendant upon
such preciptancy. The door was burst. open, The
noise attendant upon which increased the difficulty
ten fold-every blow leveed 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 oustIe!ched
screamed, in pteous accents, for them to save them
Confusion worse confounded ensued-people rushed
in-the affrghted children hurried to the stairway
md were preciptated to the bottom by those behind
Parents, in the confusion trampled upon their own
children Some were dangerously hut, many horrl-
bly, bruised and disfgurcl and all frightened nearly
to death As far we could learn, twelve were more
or less iniured-one it was thought fatally