The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-18
NEW YORK HERALD MONDAY, JULY 49, ls7o-rRlPLE SHEET:

dwelling of the Consul, leaving note win one OF
on the part OF the Consul, who however, refused TO
receive the letter. ana ordered IL TO be given back
unopened TO the bearer.
Two days later, al noon, Mr. Cramer, walking In the
avenue near the castle, was met by Lake, who, &C.
cOmpanied by younger brother at once stl uck him
with his fist heavy blow on the head which stunned
HIM, and would nave followed up the attack had he
not been prevented and laid hold Of by some OF the
passer5 by. lie was subsequently arrested and
examination before the police he admitted all the
facts, saying that he mad been insnlted by the
Consul and 'was bound TO have his revenge" This
statement before the court did nOt diTer from the
Indictment except in Lakes assertion that the
Consul had called him 0pprobrious names. The
Consul having the quality OF a consul niSSuS and
being according to article 1875 Of the criminal law,
an Official accredited 10 the Saxon government by
ruler this assault was case Tor the Criminal
Court and Jury and came on for trial June ~. No
new facts were revealed ut the trial. Lake saw 1T
TO tell the jury that though he was aware OF Consul
Crdmsr being the representative OF his country he
would neither honor nor respect him.
The presiding judge then wished to be informed
The latter replied that no political S i had Dss
entrusted 10 Inn during his comparatively snort
term OF ofice. After lengthy discussion as to the
diplomatic character OF cOnsuls the State Attorney
agreed With the counsel for the defence, DR..
Drucker TO drop THAI pa Of the indictment relating
10 the privileged status OF the complainant. Va n
In his charge to the jury the president charac
terizcd the assault as one OF great brutality, the
0nicial capacity OF Consul Cramer The jury retired
ann SHORTY afterwards returned with verdict OF
ga.y upon which the Court sentenced Lake TO one
There Is no appeal from jury trials in this country.
this OCCASION; the majority Of the audience was of
the better classes, and the proceedings which Occu-
pied four hours. were watched with great interest.
tt 81 INCIDENTS AND COMMENTS rrs Ia.
The foregoing IL resume Of the reports contained
in the Lepsic press. am enabled to add some de.
tails Obtained rom c.editabe sources and may also
give the pro and contra view taken OF the matter by
the public here. Alba CrotcherOn Lake, son OF o
farmer went first to school In Canada; he then came
over to Ed. Gland anu France, staying some time In
each country, and mas atery resided here for about
year, studying mathematics and German. He is
insult, whether real or ancled. After beng arrested
by the police and mt the first hearing In the Circuit
Court Consul Cramer objected TO his release the
ground tnat several young Americans in conjinc-
ton with Lake, We're planning an attack upon hnl.
Their malce ana threats were due to the unjust
belief that ne Craniei1 had been active In causing
the removal OF the late Vice Consul, and they had
Determined to inJurc him as much as possible.
Young Lake was thus kept In prison for four DAYS
but then released alter furnishing security to the
amount OF 500 thaleis ana pcjging his word not TO
leave the city. .- rt ~
Tue above letter, written by Lake, and returned to
MIN unopened was read during the trial. 1t contained
the demand tiat consul Cramer should re,ract the
OHenSve cpithet. While at previous examination
Consul Crainer had denied having used any eplthes
at al he confessed to some at the trial. but swore
positively not to have employed very mdecorous
express Ion charged TO him.
The de .ence having summoned the physician OF
the Consul, that witness declared thas no injurious
consequen e5 had resulted rom the blow. During
the discussion as to whether or not the Consul was
diplomatic agent accredited to the Saxon govern
mellt ana authorized by forcignruler the pIes ing
Judge asked Mr. Cramer for his credentials to which
he replied that he had le!t them in the United States
Counsel for the defence then produced copy OF the
Consul's diploma. Ooaned fcOm the Foreign ONCE
at Dresden. 1t was an ordinary consular Certificate
Issued by President johnson, and admitted by Mr..
Cfaner TO be Il correct copy Of the original. The
Judges having witJrawn 20 consider the question of
diplomatic statlsa' in case OF DO lily assault COM
united upon diplomatic representative tie Saxon
statute awards up to ten years mprisonment-con.
Guided TO leave THIS poiut ior Tic decision OF the
jury.
tT OFFICIAL IMNU MITES. .n
on the part OF the defence 1t was shown that
authorities snch IA Wheaton and Walker, did not
consider consul rs enjoying the Immunitie5 Of an
envoy or ambassador The State Attorney then de-
clared his Willingness to drop the question, as there
WAS moi sncis ut evidence OF diplomatic privilege
ings as the accused could not be held liable unless
upon the complaint OF Mr.. Cramer as private per-
son. The jury having also denied this point, found
verdict Of guilty upon the principal charge.
Consul Cramer being asked by the presiding
sentence Of the accused, Replied that he wonIa leave
1t entirely with the Court. There can be no doubt
Withdrawn his complaint, Lake would have been
acquitted. On the other hand, we know from good
authority that Consul Crlmer has repeatedly offered
to drop The whole matter ana withdraw the case il
Lake would duly apologize for the assault. This ne
Obstlnatcly refused, though he was asked and ad-
cans here ana IN Berlin. where the Hon. Mr.. Ban
croft Theodore 8. Fay and others had heard Of this
matter.
oRATORy AND RELIGION.
AS for Consul Cramer, 10 may he that among
clique OF young American students he has not
gained Tor himself that popularity which he Is
tainy ENJOYING in our best German circles. His
social qualities, courtesy and good temper, and his
constant readiness for the delivery OF speech
which Is not The Jore OF the Leipsic bourgeois-are
much appreciated here, as also are, by some, his
religious lectures. | do not doubt that had the
passion, he would have consented to hush IL up: but
the fact OF premedltatcd indignity having been pub
licly offered him, thus insulting not only himself,
on the Continent he could not do otherwise than
let the law take Its course.
1t is hoped that young Lake may yet discover the
serious wrong he has committed, and by duly apollo
giving obtain at least partial repreve OF the severe
sentence.
The Harvest.