The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-05-10
Incident 1n the Early Life Of
Carl SlaurZ.

takes the arrival ID that city or the yer
man patriot, poet and philosopher, Gotfried
Kinkel, as the text for an incident in the
European history of Carl Sehurz, who Is
no less distinguished in this country than
upon the continent We quote -
In the literature of Germany, Kinkel
occupies high position as poet and his
torian. When the Revolution of 1913
broke out, he was Professor at the Uni
versity of Bonn, and his strong Democrat
ic opinions induced him to take very
prominent part in the struggle. He
fought, was made prisoner by the royal
authorities, was tried for treason, and was
sentenced to many years Imprisonment at
hard labor.
Among Kinkel's companions at this
time was a young student not twenty
years of age, named Carl Schurz, who was
also captured, tried by court martial, and
sentenced to be shot. Schurz, however.
more fortunate than his Professor, sue
ceeded In escaping across the French
frontier, and was safe. Kinkel was sent
to common prison, placed among crimi-
nails of the yilest sort, and set to work
making shoes. Young Germany, still
trembling with the excitements of the
recent Revolution, learned with indigna-
tion the treatment inflicted upon the emf
nent poet and scholar, and numerous
petitions were sent to the Prussian Gov
erument praying that his situation might
be ameliorated To all this, the authori-
ties paid no attention whatever, the pro-
testations ceased, and Kinkel seemed
likely to be abandoned by his friends
Thara yvae
desert him. Carl Schurz left Paris, lis
guised himself in rags, aad, defying the
scaffold, re-entered Prussia, with an organ
on his back. La the day, he begged his
bread On the high road at night, he laid
aside his organ and visited the aDodes Of
his former companions aud the friends of
German liberty, to endeavor to reawaken
their interest In the fate of the imprisoned
patriot. La this way he travelled three
hundred leagues on foot, playing the or
gan through many towns and villages,
carefully maturing his plans, and sleeping
in barns or under hedges. On one occa-
sion, he was stopped by two Prussian
gendarmes, who inquired where he was
going.
"To the neighboring town." replied
Schurz
"Would you like to earn handful Of
pfenrings % asked the others
"Cer;ainly."
every we'll; come with us to our bar
racks. 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 suspicion !;
so Schurz accepted with great show of
gratitude, and during the whole night
ground out waltzes and quadrilles for a
battalion of gendarmes. Leaving, undis-
covered, the dangerous society of the mil
itary police, young Schurz continued his
journey, and, short time subsequently,
information reached him that KinkePs
prison had been changed. He was now
incavcerated at Spandau, and placed under
the personal supervision Of the prison d.
rector.
Late one night, when the streets had
become deserted, post chaise, escorted
by guard of four dragons; drove rapid
ly through the town of Spandau, and
halted before the prison. An officer, in
the uniform of Colonel of the ROYAL
Guard, alighted from the vehicle, and
was soon in the presence of the Director,
into whose hands he placed letter from
the Minister of the Interior at Berlin, and
bearing the official seal Receiving the
packet with the respect due to a commu.
I>uication from the Kings Minister, the
Director opened the important mssive,
and read as follows:
ga deep-laid plot has been organized
at Berlin, the object Of which is to effect
the forcible release Of the convict Kinkel
from the hands of the authorities. We
are now watching the movements of the
conspirators, and are preparing to arrest
them In order, however, to prevent the
possibility of a surprise, the bearer of the
present letter, Col. -, is commanded
to take charge of your prisoner, whom he
will Immediately conduct to the citadel of
Magdeoourg, and place him in the hands
OF the Governor of that fortress"
Upon reading this ministerial iniunc
ton, the director of the Spandau prison
at once had the unfortunate Kinkel awaL-
ened, caused him to be securely ironed
and placed in the post chaise, which set
off on the road to Magdebourg, aecompan-
led by the Colonel and four dragoons, who
rode with drawn sa5res. All night long
they travelled at rapid speed fresh
horses were instantly furnished at each
relay, the Coloneis demand being accom-
panied by the magical expression. "the
Kings service" The unhappy prisoner.
crouched in a corner of vehicle. cared
not what might be his fate-G Germany
had forgotten him, aud nothing could be
worse than the noisome dungeon at Span
dau. Morning came at last. a orav win.
ter's dawn, and the carriage stopped
The Colonel himself opened the door, and
bade the prisoner alight. Without a