Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-01-08
British Protest against Austria.

At the time when public. attention is di-
rected to the resolution Of General Cass,
in favor of breaking off existing diplo-
matte relations between Austria and this
country, the following noble letter address.
ed by RICHARD CoBDEN, one of the noblest
and brightest of all the English Statesmen,
to the Austrian Minister of the Interior,
HER BACH, dated London, October 20,
1919, will be read with profound interest
Pemsyirmidn.
"Thesc lines are not addressed to You
in Your character as member Of the Aus
trian Government; they are addressed to
YOU personally, as gentleman whose
liberal and enlightened views left lasting
impression on my mind, when | had the
pleasure to make your acquaintance in Vi
emma. An excuse for this step you will
find in the principles of humanity and civ
ilization. which at that time were equally
cherished by us both. Mindful, then, of
the opinion which recommended me to
your friendly attention in the year lS47,
cannot suppose that you are now less IA
vorabIy inclined toward them than you
were then.
"Public opinion in my country is horror
struck at the coId-bIooded crucItcs which
have been exercised on the fallen leaders
of the Eiunr1rians. The feeling is not
confined to one class or TO one particular
party, for there is not a man in England
who has defended, either in writing or by
word OF innulh, the acts e Austria. The
opinions of the civilized States Of the Con-
lincnt will have aIready reached you, while
that of America viii very soon be knoEn
in Vienna. You are too enlightened not
10 be aware that the unanimous verdict OF
contemporaries must also be The judgment
of history. But have YOU considered that
history will not deal with lie brutal SOL
diery, the creatures Of cruelty, but with
the Ministers. who are responsible for
their crimes should not like TO appeal
to less important motives than those of an
honorable ambition but have. YOU wen
considered the dangers which threaten YOU
in your present course
&" You who are so well read in English
history, must remember that, four wears
after Jelfries' q" bloody assizcs," not only
he himself, but his royal master was
miserable fugitive before the avenging hand
Of Justice. Or Go we live IN iime when
the public conscience can be ,reacd with
contempt, without fear Of lhc punishment
that followed in the nineteenth century.
Is II not on the contrary, the peculiar char
acterst,c OF oar time, that deeds OF vlo-
Icnce, whether committed by governments
or by the people, are followed by reaction
with astonishing ceIeriry! But am TAX
ing too great a liberty III Offering 10 defend
your reputation, or i'll permitting myself
10 be interested IN your personal safety.
/ appeal 10 you in the name of hui
mainly, TO make an end 20 this renewed
reign of terror, which, not content with
butchering its victims, must also put to
rack all the better feelings Of humanity.
for the world has advanced too far in It's
civilization long to permit upon its stages
heroes like Alva and Haynau. conjura
you publicly 10 protest against the Judicial
butcherlng of prisoners Of war against
the shlI more diSgraceful whipping of ie-
males and, finally, against the practice Of
kidnapping, in order that you may be ac-
Quilted of all participation in the respons
bhlty for acts which must brand with
shame their authors