The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-03-25
FOREIGN Items by the last Steamer,

A Town SWALLOWED EY AN EARTH.
auAKE.-The London News says that
"Neopoltan steamer Capri brought in.
te)ligence from Syracuse that the earth
quake which was felt here on the I lth,
had laid the city Of Austria in ruins
The first shock was felt at P. NJ, and
was so violent that all the people fled
from their houses. The following one,
a few minutes afterwards. destroyed
the whole place except 81 houses; the
place sank, and where it formerly stood
there was no bottom at so fathems.-
The last accounts received at Syracuse.
stale that IS dead bodies had been found
and 50 wounded recovered from the
ruins. ~ ..a.. a.. ...
IRELAND
Although the affairs of Ireland have
not occupied u conspicuous share of
public attention since our last publica.
ton. we are afraid that vast amount
of human misery has been secretly and
silently suffered by large masses of the
Irish pc ople. The Special Commission
has been adjourned, after having passed
the most severe sentences upon all the
prisoners whose guilt has been proved.
Upwards Of fifty have been convicted
of agrarian outrages, and the sentence
Of death hangs over no fewer than six
teen, who have been found guilty Of
murder. Outrages of frightful char
acter continue to affiict the provinces;
and the state of reckless immortality
disclosed by the evidence before the
Special Commission is frightful to con-
template. AS one instance, we may
adduce that, within the last lew years,
out Of the body OF magistrates which
usually attend the bench OF Cashe, no
fewer than ten, either themselves or
their immediate relatives, have been
shot! 1t is lamentable to witness such
a complete disorganzaton Of all the
bonds Of society. In another instance
before us, we have desperate case re-
ported, where Justice of the Peace, a
Mr.. Hubert Kelly Waldron, of fAshford,
near Drumsna, in Leitrim, armed his re-
taners to resist the execution of law
process issued by one of the superior
courts. The coroner advanced with
the police force al his back; the gate
was closed, the coroner demanded ad-
mission, but was peremptoriIy refused,
Mr.. Waldron stating that he had "but
one life, was an old man, and valued it
little" Crowbars being applied to the
gate, Waldron fired and wounded one
Of the men severely; the affray became
general, and no fewer than twelve or
fifteen shots were exchanged. Mr..
Waldron received a ball in the FORE
head, fell ifeless 10 the ground,and sew
eral persons on both sides wounded
Here it appears that reckless, embar-
rassed man, Of extravagant habits, ralh-
er than submit to his inevitable fate;
challenges the law, and proceeds with
infatuated recklessness to the extremity
of sacrificing his own life, and involv-
ing others, his relatives, in the highest
penalties Of the law. No legislation
can reach such cases as this. Here is
a defiance of all law even to the death.
As another instance of the hardened
ruffianism which exists amongst the
wretches who have been admitted as
approvers, one Garrahan, on his cross.
examination, said he agreed to murder
Mr.. Bailey, because DAILY and Conner,
who had asked him to do it. were rela-
ted to him. "Then," said the counsel,
for the prisoner, 81 suppose you'd MUIR
der me if they asked you?" "By God,
I would" was his reply. We turned
with disgust from the scenes Of blood
shed and horror.
A number Of influential gentleman,
with the decided sanction OF Earl Clar.
enden, are endeavoring to raise f1,-
100000 10 establish "Farmers' Estate
Society,"" They propose to buy es-
tates in fee as they come into market,
and resell them in small lots of not less
than forty statute acres. Provision is
to be made TO prevent subdivision.--
The presant tenants if unobjectionable,
are to have preference, and the pur-
chase money taken in half yearly pay
ments. The scheme has the appear
ance, at first view, OF being capable of
effec,ing an ameiioro tien in the condi-
ton Of the farming and agricultural
classes generally.
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