The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-06
foreiaa alisfellanp.

In the Economist of June 9Th is found the folow-
ing article upon the United States. Readers will
make their own conclusions upon the sublect-matter
and It is more than probable will conclude that
''The wish is father to the thought
CalaInities Ina the United States.
To go very fast ahead seems to be TO run into
danger. Nations require experience well as in
diyduals, and those who, like youths act without
ii, are sure to be schooled 10y misfortune. We re-
corded briefly last week the dsgraceful riots al
New York, in which % persons lost their lives,
and nearly 80 wounded. A contest between
two actors, exacerbated by some national and some
political feelings-for Mr.. Macready an Eng
llshman, performing in an aristocratic house; Mr.
Forrest, an American, performing TO a more demo-
cratic cass-led to a dsgraceful riot. The armed
citizens being summoned used their weapons win
that energy which distinguishes the Americans,
and perhaps with anger, and the result was this de-
plorabe loss of life. As was proper under the CIR
cumsiances the verdict of the coroners jury Iust-
fed the slaughter, and the victims were buried as
having persisted in a riot brought on by themselves.
The unpleasant feelings arising from such clrcum-
stance had not subsidized when the steamer Empire,
which plies on the Hudson, while gong up the
river on the night of Thursday, May IL, was run
into by the Noah Broons, schooner, and sunk IN
few minutes having on board nearly 200 passen-
gers The terrible confusion may be conceived;
another steamer, the Rip Yam Winkie, was al hand,
and assisted to save the people. Seventeen bodies,
however, have been found, some of which were
those of children, but the exact number of persons
who persisted is not known
The same weekly paper that records tins caaml-
" gives terrible account of some recent fires. IL
SAYS: "Watertown, in this State, New York;
has suffered severely. The fourishing, rapidly
rising town of Milwaukee has also been visited by
similar calamity. Git destroyed property of the
value of 100000 dolars) On the 7th instant there
rhariao nd tha Iso nj
Racine there was conhagration, which was large
ror the place, and destroyed much property. Last
Of all comes to the sad intelligence of the terri
bic fire at ST. Louis, by which almost all the busi-
ness part of that most Aourishing city has been laid
in ashes The fire broke out at ten O'Clock IN the
evening on the 18th ult, on board the steamboat
White Cloud, lying near the head of the landing,
and (the wind, at the time, blowing gale from the
northeast) soon spread from the White Cloud 10
other steamboats,, lying below along the Levee,
and from them TO the warehouses and stores-con-
tnuing its work of destruction during the night
and the next day"
'sThe whole number of buildings destroyed"
saw the latest accounts, sis four hundred and elgh-
teen; of steamboats,, twenty-five; and the total loss
is estinlated al over six millions Of dollars. Nine
entire blocks and SIX parts OF blocks, were de-
stroyed in which were seven printing ofhces The
loss of human life has not yet been ascertaned, al
though we know of three persons who were burnt
on the steamer White Cloud, and four bodies have
been taken from the ruins. Many are supposed to
have been buried beneath the walls of the various
large stores" ST. Louis is the capital and depot
of the Western States and its partial destruction
must be- for some time, great lT1pediment 70 com
merce.
To ire and shipwreck is added flood. New Or
teams is threatened with destruction. The Missis-
sippi which is continually shifting It's bed, broke
through It's banks al Carroton, and Mr. Saves
plantation, in the parish of Jefferson, on the 18th
nlt and the date of the latest intelligence all at
tempts 10 repair the dykes had been unavang
The water rapidly rising, as if It would overflow
the city, which lies feet below the usual level oil
the river Several streets could only be traversed
by boats. At least 300 houses were surrounded
by water. A Geographic despatch from the spot,
Of May Is, says: 1.-THE water is still rising IN the
rear of the first and second municipalities The
4vorkhouse is completely surrounded. Ferretts
cotton press in ST. Marys street, is completely
flooded with water, and the water is advancing on
the Charity hospital. Nearly all the streets IN the
rear of st Mary's flooded. The gas works
are in great danger the water, during the last "a
hours has risen seven inches at the works, and IS
still advancing rapidly. A great number of iam-
lies have been compelled TO move. The latest
accounts from the crevasses are very discourag1ng
Many Of the workmen were taken sick and eay-
ing'' The latest account of the 18th says " inns
afternoon accounts from the crevasse at SsLve
DantdtiOD are more anu more uIsCouip-hbS'
seems to be no prospect of stopping the flood. Inc
rise Of water in the rear of the city continues, ana
this morning was up Philadelphia street, pouring
over the new canal with great force. The crevasse
- making fearful headway Ii is said that eat ilsh
are caught IN the streets Of New Orleans. The
telegraph line from New Orleans to Baton Rouge
lJ0 miles, was FRUSTRATED by storm last Thurs
day. We must await further arrivals to learn
whether New Orleans exists or not.
That the damage will be immense ~ certain.
Large tracts Of land. chiefly planted with sugar.
cane have been covered with water. One letter
SAYS: "A friend Of ours has seven hundred acres at
rane destroyed, and many crops are utterly eXun-
etiished for this year, The papers mention seye-
raj plantations that are entirely under water; and,
though the city be saved the loss Of property must
b. very great
To FIRE food, and shipwreck is added pestilence.
The cholera is raging fearfuly on the western wa
ters and in Texas. In Cincinnati, ST. LOUIS, New
Orleans, a great number Of deaths have occurred.
In St Lonis the deaths in the week ending May l9
from this disease were 1885, and on board the
boat America on her passage from New Orleans TO
St LOUIS, % deaths occurred. In San Anto-
mo- in Texas there we're above 100 deaths from
cholera Major General Worth, Of the American
army, was amongst the victims. lie died on The
eth, at Antonio de Bexar Seldom has commu-
nifty gathered" more disasters Gin one drop OF
tTne;r but the energy, the eagerness, the strong
passions which we trace as the cause Of some Of
them will enable the Americans to sustain and pro-
badly quickly 10 repair them. The loss Of 50 much
properly will but stimulate to greater care and
greater exertion to replace il. Capitalists will be
more saving than ever, and aborers more industn-
Gus II these misfortunes should teach caution and
care as the proper accompanlments Of energy, their
lessons will be most valuable The Americans
will find 1t IS necessary to look ahead as well as go
ahead and q careful watch over such powerful
and dangerous neIghbor as the Mississippi. and
careful means to stop the ravages of such an Insdi
"as foe as pestience, will be necessary for safety
and prosperity, as extending their dominion over
Mexico, clearing the land as laying down many
thousand miles Of rail, and stretching the wires
If the telegraph over all the country.
COFFEE IN CEyLOS.
In recent article upon coffee, we published the
s,atsi ics Of the progress Of coffee-planting Cey
lon for some years past, derived from an official