Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-02-27

WHOLE NO. 76.


Treatment OF Patriot In Prussia.
In 1912 and Is, when Prussia was hum-
bled 10 the dus. before the armies Of Napo-
leon, the celebrated poet Arndt. was one
Of the few patriots who braved all dangers
to recover the freedom OF his country. He
and some others boldly went forth among
the different states. notwithstanding the
numerous spies who were creeping about
in all directions, and exhorted the people
to rise in the cause of liberty. Arnd,, BY
his spiri, touching songs e. eloquence was
especially the means Of rousing his coun.
lrymen, and this he did at the risk Of lis
life. twas now that the king promised to
give his people constitution and repre-
sentation. aud this he solemnly repeated
at the Congress of Vienna. The Prus-
slams few to arms with enlhusisms.--
When peace was restored the people naiu.
rally expected the Publications Of all these
promises. Arndt and the other patriots
who had saved The throne, lived in daily
hopes and meantime they opposed them
selves to the spread of the French manners
and customs, adopted The old German man.
ner and customs, talked loudly end hap
PLY of noble things to come. Frederick
William ILL.,, however remained silent:
there were no signs ofthe ful6lmen, of his
promises. Arndt and bis ieliow-patrio,s
continued 10 live in full hopes, and declare
ed aloud their full expectations. Sudden
ly in 1919, body ofpolice was despatch.
ed in all directions. and the patriots were
arrested. Arndt. who was at the time,
professor Of the University Of Donna, was
seized, his house taken possession Of by
the police, his papers and letters carried
off, his room sealed up, and himselfthrown
into prison.
He was tried for high treason. But.
though they tried all means. no such thing
could be proved. and he was acquitted.-
He was never informed upon what grounds
he was arrested. He returned 10 his Uni
versity and resumed his lectures. But
letter speedily came from the minister for
n bidding him TO lecture, yet ordering that
his salary as a professor should be con,in-
ued. He could obtain no satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION for this treatment. 1t was great
injury to his future prospects in all worldly
respects, because he was prevented from
" the Students fees. Arndt took to cultiva-
- ting his garden, and educating his children.
: In this state he remained til! The accession
of the present king, in 1910, when, by an
'act of grace the poet was restored TO full
~ liberty for the exercise Of his powers
F." But meantime he had los, all The arrears OF
the students fees for that long period.
, which would have enabled him to leave
y good profits Of industry to his children
These 20 years were clearly the period
for the harvesto Of life. Nearly all that had
'1 gone before he had been laboriously fitting
- himself for his office, and then down comes
the iron bar upon the very midwsy Of his
% mortal course.
=. Arndt bitterly felt the injustice Of his
" previous treatment, for which no compen
'e sation was made; nor did it teach hin
!" prudence, for at an evening party few
years ago, when friend was congratula
ting him upon his restoration. Arndt. whs
was standing close within the hearing o
ia Prussian prince, slapped his friend sig
v" ni6cantly upon the shoulder and answer
Oe ed aloud, 'Ah my dear boy, the murdeI
IL ,Ods committed: l. am partloned in my
81 grave But although the direct ground
Oh of his arrest and trial for high treason ha'
never been stated, an accidental circum
DC stance, some years since, brought it Il
K light. The grounds were the discover,
Il of a certain letter among lis papers, which
letter was evidently reply TO some com
al municalion Of his on the subjec, of tn
'e- promised constitution. And who does til
reader imagine this reasonable letter csm'
al from! 1t uas from the late king him
Oh SELF Yet the poet, now in very advance
&C. years, had no redress, except to be allow
he ed 10 prosecute his labors as professor
ea' Jerrold's Magazine.
II n