Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-12-23
Robert Blum,

Eleven years ago, Nov. 9th, 1849, Rob-
ert Blum suffered death in Vienna, in the
sacred cause Of Liberty.
AT this time, when mems minds are con-
fused, and it is hard to choose between the
weak and friendless Right, and the great
and powerful Wrong, g,-when even the best
donotsee that it is a noble thing to dare and
to do all, anywhere, and everywhere, for
the freedom Of my people-let us recall the
story of Robert Blum, and try to learn the
lesson that it teaches.
Let us remember that despots exist in
lands boastng to be frecr than Austria and
that to question their privileges is political
prescription, and to aSsail them is death
in other lands than Austria.
| Let us remember that heroism and mar
! tyrdom are cosmopolitan; and while We
drop our tears upon the grave of Robert
Blum, let rs not despise the memory of his
brave kinship among us.
Robert Blum was born at Cologne, on
I the 10th of November 1911. Like many
other great men, he was the son of humble
and obscure parents, so poorthat they could
not give him an education. But Blum'S
genius and industry trumphed over power
ty, and he became one of the most disin-
guished of German journalists
Though distinguished, he was by no means
enriched by his profession; and he after
wards became cashierof the theatre of Leip-
zig ; and then a bookseller, meanwhile busy
with his pen in romance and drama.
At twelve he was punished for discredit,
ing certain dogmas of the Romish Church
and as a man, he was ono of the first who
joined the German Catholic Church, in op,
position to the Popsh hierarchy
In lS4S, the Revolution broke out in Eu
rope, and Robert Blum became prominent
partizan of freedom. He was selected {
member of the National German Paria
ment, and distinguished himself as an ar
dent and powerful advocate of liberty anc
truth. When that body divided itself into
retrograde and progressive factions tho
course of Blum could not be doubtful.
He was equally active with voice anC
sword; and he headed a party of the in
surgents who revoluionized Vienna Th,
city was taken by Windischgratz, and Blum
was arrested.
His membership of the German Parlia
ment proved no protection to him, and h
was shot on the 9th of November, lS4s.
Freiligrath has celebrated his martyrdon
in song of thrilling power and beauty
and his name remains one of the watchword
of German hope and liberty.
"1e was, says the eltor of the Cinciu
81 al G., Al,
records of Austria, Bavaria and the Pala
tinate attest tho truth of those prophet
words he uttered when he gave his broas
to the bullets
"From every drop of my blood, marty
to Freedom shall arise"
The letter which he wrote to his wifi
just before he was led forth to execution,
one of tender sweetness, and manly hero
t ism--such a letter, say, as John Brow
would have written:
"My beloved, good, dear wife Fare
well-farewell for all Time, which is calle
forever, but which it cannot he. Rear OF
now only your children-to be true mel
' and they will never despise their father
7 Sell our little property with the help of OF
d friends. God and good men will help yoI
All would say, farewell, dear wife9 Loo
upon our children as a precious means wit
which to honor thy dear husband. Far,
WELL farewell-a thousand, thousand, la,
kisses from thy BLUM.
Vienna, November 9, ls4s."
And so died Blum; and thrill of gri,
9 ran through the hoping and loving hear
! Of all the believers of human freedom.
e was the part of Germany-great in sin!
, ing songs of liberty and waiting for Frenc
y Revolutions-to celebrate him with da
Of national mourning. and tho pomp of f
neral proeessons-but his memory is Ii
fragrant heritage of the world.
Let us Americans, forgetting our Kans'
and our Harper's Ferry, do honor to ma
, who fought for freedom-in Europe.
A little dau0hter of n Mr. Bouohman ,