The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-11-10
Austrian Barbarities The spirtr or w.,

Since the failure Of the Hungarians to estab
lish their national independence, tho Austrian,
have in slsrge number of instances exhibited ,
spirit OF nendish revenge toward them. A
great many Hungarian generals, nobIes, anc
other persons Of distinguished standing hay.
been butchered in cold blood. These Internal
crimes have excited the sorrow and the scorn o,
the civilized world, and Austria is now very
generally regarded an the most degraded nation
on the continent of Europe.
1t is the boast Of the present age that manv
OF the bsrbarous usages of the past have fallen
before the advancing lights of a Christian civil
lization. This boast is not unfounded. The
penal laws generally have been shorn of much
Of their old rigor. Justice does not wear the
blood-thirsty expression which used to mark
her face. Punishments are less sa,guiuayv.
and hundreds Of acts, once considered worthy
OF death, are now viewed with clemency and
they who commit them are not therefore exiled
beyond the reach Of human regard and human
sympathy. But we are sorry to see that in one
OF the nations Of Christian Europe the ferocious
vengeance of the twelfth century still lives, and
that II Is still as thirsty ever for human blood
The history Of Austrian influence in the
affairs OF Italy had prepared US to expect scenes
Of atrocity in Hungary. In several of the
Italian cities during the last few years the off.
GERS Of the Austrian army have signalized
themselves BY shedding human blood apparently
without scruple. These officers have seemed
TO regard the lives Of the people in the Austrian
provinces Of Italy as of but little account, and
have permitted the brutal soldiery on number
OF occasions to commit the basest murders
and other crimes without bringing the guilty
wretches TO punishment. No one acquainted
with the conduct Of these tiger-hearted Aus
trisn officers in Italy expected that any unusual
leniency would be extended toward the unfortu
nate Hungarisns who fell In their hands. But
We were not prepared to hear of such revolving
scenes Of brutality have disgraced Austria
since Hungary WINS overpowered and forced to
desist frem her efforts for national freedom
A hlgh-minded victor never sulIies his IaIr tame
by any deeds Of cruelty. When his foe lies at
his feet he becomes generous. Generosity 10 |
always associated with bravery, as cruelty Is |
with oowardice. The Austrians were fairly de. |
fss:.i by the Hungarisns before the interposi. |
ton Of Russia, and we have but little doubt that
the repeated murders Of The Hungarian leaders |
is attributable TO the mean spirit of revenge
which a coward feels towards the man who has
formerly given him merited chastisement and
who has by change of fortune been thrown
into his power.
Nothing can ever humanre the rough features
Of war. Christianity has for centuries been
striving to modify human passion and TO estab-
lish feeling of brotherhood among the nations
Of the earth which might do away with the
bloody old arbitrament Of the sword. But war
is still rugged and stern and Implying. II 10
full Of blood and slaughter. 1t has not &C.
the benign influence of the Chris.
ian religion, and 10 almost a. fierce and cruel
Is II was before the Prnee of Peace had pro. ,
;laimed his Gospel Of Love on earth. Ii
Warts not susceptible Of any very considers.
lie notifications. The spirit Of chIvalry essay. !
d to soften the art of the murderer, and to q
ubstitute former brutality with a courtly 3
iemency. But 1t was only In particular In. a
tances that chivalry interposed shield between
he infnristed warrior and his victim Indeed,
'ar 10 Of necessity most cruel national crime. \
dan ns god that has NO heart War spring. 4
rom the most devilish fssliags Of men, and q