Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-06-04
M I S @ q u u a n & o
THE RECENT POLISH RESURRECTION
AN INTERESTING ARTICLE.


The following remarks on the late movements of
the Poles, which we copy from the London Times,
will be read with interest
The painful impression produced throughout Eu-
rope by the late desperate and abortive instruction
IN Poland has been greatly aggravated by the afro
cities which said to have been penetrated at
the instigation of the Austrian authorities in the
province of Galicia. The insurgents, who had got
possession OF the town of Cracow and expelled the
Austrian garrison, forthwith crossed the Vistula
and marched in several columns into Galicia where
the conspiracy had numerous qualifications among
the Polish gentry and clergy, and where they ex-
Pected to meet with the support of the people
These anticipations were, however, erroneous
The chief magistrate Of the district of Tarnow
harangued the peasantry assembled at the market
OF that town, and persuaded them that the designs
OF the insurgents and the mobiles were no less inu-
rious to them than to the Government-He there
fore eXhorted them to remain faithful to the Austrian
authorities, and ended by offering reward of ten
fiorins for every rebel whom the peasantry might
bring in dead or alive. The measure had an imme-
date and most horrible effect. More than 400 no.
bes were massacred in two days. A hundred
corpses were brought into Tarnow to claim this
blood money; and so great was the slaughter that
the authorities reduced the price Of a murder from
ten fiorins to two. The whole district was prey
to the horrors of social convusion which can only
be compared to the Bauernkrieg of the 10th cen
tury, or to some of the scenes of the French Revo
luton. In the midst of these tragcal events, the
cause OF Poland seemed to be entirely forgotten
and the attempt which was made to resuscitate her
independence only revived those fatal dissensons by
which society in that country has so often been
distracted.
1t is impossible to believe that the Austrian Go
vernment can have been diabolically wicked or
so superlatively foolish as deliberately to instigate
the peasantry OF Gallcia to massacre the landed
proprletors, when it is evident that such crime as
this must have the effect of causing one of those
frlghtiul perturbations which it is the chief object
OF the Austrian policy to subdue and to avert
10 lmpute such design to Prince Metternich is
to suppose that he is not only as sangunary but as
anarchica Robespierrc for it will be long before
the province Galica from the influence Of
these revolutionary excuses committed at the in
stgatIon Of the local authorities, who deserve no
thing short of condgn punishment. The indepen-
dence OF Poland is great political question, which,
IL ever 1t be settled on the only basis which be
permanent, will contribute to the security of north
ern Europe. But a Polish war of Independence
however formidable it may sound at Vienna and
Berlin, is danger and an evil Of very slight a
mount IN comparison with ferocious contest be
tween the ranks of society in any province Of the
Austrian empire. The fact that such a collision
has taken place implies an aptitude for revolution
airy excuses which we did not suppose to exist in
inc iIinpeIOrS commons. Many are tne privileges
| In that empire which time must soften abolish,
many are the grievances which must be healed or
they will be avenged but il no such precautions
be taken, and no such remedies applied, the
quences of the bad spirit which has Just given such
frighiful indications Of its power may be most dis
astrous.
The occurrences suggest one observation Of gene
raj political importance. We hear from all sides
that the monstrous doctrines Of the Communists, oi
Socialists, are gaining ground among the people o.
the continent; we Told that opinions the most
hostile to the security of property, the sanctty
marriage, and the well being Of society propa
gated abroad; we have even proofs, like those JUS
recorded, Of the presence of a malignant and de
structive spirit in certain classes Of society. Blu
where are we TO look for these excuses Assured
ly not among ourselves The delusons among tho
Chartiss, the folles OF the Socialists, and all tho
leversh dreams which haunt people in its days o
revolution, have been sti1ed or dispersed by the
good sense, the free discussion and the improving
education of England. Even in France, where
SUCH diseases have been more deeply seated, they
are vanishing under the influence of free and vi
gofous Government; and the enemies of the exist
ing state OF society have dwinded to contemplate
minority, almost beneath the notice Of the police
But it IS in the heart of the great absolute mo