The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-05-16
.KINKEI AND s. S sol HlJl Y e

81.
from Paris letter to the New York
Times f. 'a.:s;
The illustrioua German poet, philoso-
pher and patriot, Gotfried Klnkel, has
come tosParis for the purpose of deliv
ering before his numerous countrymen.
residing inthe French capital, a series
of artistic lectures on the Galleries of
the Louvre / remember very well the
excitement created last May among the
usually phlegmaticsons Of Telitonia, by
a visit Of Kinkel during the German
gymnastic festival, when he delivered
before them an nnpromptu address,
which was greatly praised at the time
by the French Liberal press. In the
literature of Germany, Kinkel occupies /
a high position as a poet and historian.
When the revolution of ls4s broke out,
he was a Professor at the University of
Bonn, and his strong Democratic opin-
ions induced him to take a part in the
struggle. Hefought, was made prisoner
by the royal authorities, was tried for
treason, and sentenced to many years.
imprisonment at hard labor. ~
Among Kinkel's companions at this
time was q young student, not yet
twenty years of age, named Carl
Schurz, who was also captured, tried by
court martial, and sentenced to be shot.
Schrrz, however, more fortunate than
his professor, succeeded in escaping
across the French frontier, and was safe.
Kinkel was sent to common prison,
placed among criminals Of the vilest
sort, and set to work making Shoes
Young Germany, still trembling with
theexcitements of the recent revolution,
learned with indignation the treatment
inflicted upon the eminent poet and
scholar, and numerous petitions were
sent to the Prussian Government, pray
ing that his situation might be anchor
ated. To all this the authorities paid
no attention whatever, the protestations
ceased, and Kinkel seemed likely to be
abandoned by his friends. There was
one, however, who did not desert him.
Carl Schurz left Paris, disguised him
self in rags, and, defying the scafold,
re-entered Prussia, with an organ on
his back. In the day he begged his
bread on the highroad at night he laid
aside his organ and visited the abodes
of his former companions and the friends
of German liberty, to endeavor to rea-
waken their interest in the fate of the
imprisoned patriot. In this way he
travelled three hundred leagues on foot,
playing the organ through many towns
and villages, carefully maturing his
plans, and sleeping in barns or under
hedges. On one occasion he was stop
ped by two Prussian gendarmes, who
inquired where he was going.
"To the neighboring town." replied
Schurz.
"Would you like to earn handful
of pennies?" asked the others.
certainly"
every well; come with us to our
barracks. We intend to give dance
this evening, and the airs Of your organ
will suit our purpose exactly"
1t was impossible to decline the offer
Of the soldiers without exciting suspi-
cions so Schurz accepted, with a great
show of gratitude, ahd during the whole
night ground out waltzes and quad
rifles for q battalion Of gendannes.-
Leaving, undiscovered, the dangerous
society of the military police, young
Schurz continued his journey, and, a
short time subsequently,, information
reached him that KinkePs prison had
been changed. He was now incarcerat-
ed at Spandau, and placed under the
personal supervision of the prison di-
Z rector.
Late one night, when the streets had
become deserted, post chaise, escorted
by guard of four dragons, drove
rapidly through the town of Spandau,
and halted before the prison. An Off
Ger, in the uniform of a Colonel of the
Royal Guard, alighted from the vehicle,
and was soon in the presence of the Di-
| rector, into whose hands he placed a
letter from the Minister of the Interior
at Berlin, and bearing the official seal.
Receiving the packet with the respect
due to communication from the Kings
Minister, the Director opened the i'm
portant ,missive, and read as follows:
"a deep-laid plot has been organized
in Berlin, the object of which is to eff.
feet the forcible release of the convict
Kinkel from the hands of the authori-
ties. We are now watching the move
mcnts Of the conspirators, and are pre-
pairing to arrest them. In order, how
ever, to prevent the possibility of a
surprise, the bearer of the present let
ter, Col. -, is commanded to take
charge of your prisoner, whom he will
Immediately conduct to the citadel of
Magdeburgh, and place him in the hands
of the Governor Of that Fortress
Upon reading this ministerial injunc-
ton the director Of the Spandan prison
at once had the unfortunate Kinkel
awakened, caused him to be securely
ironed and placed in the post-chaise,
which was set off on the road to Mag
deburg, accompanied by the Colonel
and four dragons, who rode with
drawn sabres. Ali night long they
travelled at rapid speed; fresh horses
were instantly furnished at each relay,
the Colonel's demand being accompa-
MED by the magical expression, the
Kings service" The unhappy prison
er, crouched in the corner of the vehi-
Gle, cared not what might be his fate
Germany had forgotten him, and moth
| ing could be worse than the noisome
dungeon at Spandau. Morning came at
last, gay winters dawn, and the car
riage stopped. The Colonel himself
opened the door, and babe the prisoner
alight. Without word, poor Kinkel
obeyed, and found himself standing on
the sea-shore, a boat awaiting a few feet
from the snnt where he stood and q