Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1864-12-21
The Firing OF New York ~,

-
ated in New York some time ago. !, ,,.
out to be nothing but a big scare o. r,s
a big hoax. The savans of Me-, V
are entirely at a loss yet wha, to mi,
it. The attempt, if attempt it W..
burn, was made simultaneously in >,
different places. using the same auar,
all the places, phosphorus. an aeeg,
suited TO frighten, but will not ignite .--
thing except the most imflamsbl. e.,
stance, such as powder, sulpher, aDj Il.
like. The New York H'orH seem. 4,
understand it, from the following CON.
sion Of an article on the suhiect
That the attempted plot-or call Il -.
you pleasc-was a grand scare. il T.,
obvious from the ieyer;>h pulse of +
public even at this date; tut that os
plot, if in earnest, it was Just wortI
and no more than worthy, OF ihe INTEL.
OF Tom-o' Bedlam is susceptible Of Il.
most lucid demonstration.
This the scientific analysis Of pias,F.
rus-the particular and sole agen o. :.
milton used on this occasion-shvws r.,
clusively. Prof Doremus. in discuss,
at Cooper Institute on Monday c,s.S
the peculiar properties of -ihis gas, :,
that "phoSptorus, although highly r.,
:. BILE of Itself, was not Il good a.E. =.
purposes OF ignition, and would o.
= the majority OF cases ignite w.a ,
- even paper, unless accompaui.l n
- 'other highly intiamable agents, q, /,
''instance, sulpher." The learned y.
fessor proved, 10y actual experiment. liz
paper, although heated and blackeu3
/ even reduced TO film, when exp9yl Z
| phosphoresccnt action would not b. ,l.r.
by ignited. No flame WAS, In tie sew
experiments, communicated to the p,-
and it is we'll known that in the cum.
Sition, of ordinary - 'luciiers " supar
used simply because of the incaras
of phosphorus to ignite wood. 7
phosphorus ignites the sulphur d..
rial in itself highly inhamnahle-ani
sulphur III its turn communicates fan
the woody part The sole reason .
some I" lucIters - Will burn but sa-
after ignition i due TO III" paurity d: ,
phur in their composigiun. You SIN
light it burns with bri.Iiaucy tUr -.
aiant and sud ienly expires lea'ur
wood peculiarly black and smoky.
Iuciter was wanting in sulphur; ALL
phosphorus, which burned 50 bri..-
for AN instant, was not sufficient 70 q
muuicate flame 10 the wood.
Now, what Is the deduction from
premises An attempt, either Boz
or otherwise, has been made L
.oeen made with phosphorus-a g4'
lieved 10y the pmbtc at large to be n
the most fearful agents Of ignition, B.
reality one of the most inefficient q.
possible. 4 little s.Ilphrr added. au.
Shui,l"rs at the havoc which might IL.
ed. What we ask iS the deduction frgm.
premises. The solution turns upon
question whether We are TO supp $
the incendiarics were ignorant u:
AGENT they used. If they were, q
were too cgregious fools to make c'a
spectacle incendarics; and that they 81
-, if the plot be as extensive and III.
50 many men OF parts as abolition J".-
pretend, is not 10 he credited for az
+ stant. What, then, is the other h-
the dilemma? Ii Is that the wha-
called plot was gigantic hoax ii
intended to unselt!e- the public s5iS
security in the city and TO preclWla.
bv the best of excuses into the o.
arms of marital law-of a Butler o. :
other mimion of usurpation. Th'sr
dilemma. Which horn VIII aboit!"
mails take7 Are rebel incendiarIes ia
, or was the attempt TO burn our c'iy !.
f other of those inimitable "jukcs V
pause for reply.