The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-24
SAxONY.

Political Liberty in Slow March in Germa-
ny-Poitcc Action and Authority In the
Cities-Ame Visitors i'm Dresden-Ths
Schools aud Transatlantic Schoolboys-Re-
ligiOn and Profanity-UscfMi Hints to Ameri.
can Parents.
DRESDEN, June s, 1870.
In former letter gave your readers some idea Of
the snail-like progress of political liberty Ia Ger
many. think Imay venture to illustrate the bear
ing of this tourists and American residents by an
amusing item OF personal experience in the compli.
cations which result from q misunderstanding with
the Dresden police. Some time since disturbance
was made by some 'roughs" in front OF the house
where your correspondent was residing, and in the
public street. The next morning notice arrived
from the Chief OF Police Of the English quarter,
summoning the head of the house to answer before
him an inquiry to why the aforesaid breach or the
peace had been permitted on the previous even
ing, and In front OF the premises which your
correspondent occupied. In obedience to this sum-
mons we appeared at the Police headquarters and q
long report was read, couched in the most thrilling
language, descriptive OF the offence and demanding
why this had been permitted to occur in front OF our
dwelling place. Having got the drift of this inquiry
we mildly suggested that not being vested with the
dignity Of Chef OF Police were unable to restrain
the dis0rderly conduct OF irresponsible persons but
that had we enjoyed that Office we should have hoped
to be more successful in the preservation Of the
public peace than were the existing authorities ap
parenty AS for answering the charge, that could
not be done until we obtained distinct copy Of 1t
for inspection. At this demand the oficer before
whom we had been arraigned-a sort OF police re.
feree-gave symptoms Of syncope, so ast0unded did
he appear. It was quite out OF the common rum"
he said to give the accused copy of the charge
against him, but he would refer the matter 70 a
higher official.
4 mysterious consultation then took place, but the
officer consulted grew irate at the contemplated
breach of long.establshed custom originating with
this daring and lawless American Such a thing
was unheard ONO such unreasonable demand was
on record The amount OF trouble, circumstance
aud cost which 1t would involve was incalculable.
1t could not be thought Of for moment. An offer
to copy the charges ourselves or pay for copy to be
Div to the charge, and referred our inqulsltor TO an
experienced advocate, whom we empowered to
treat for US. After some weeks we were again sum.
moned-not before court, but before the Chief OF
Poce-tO hear our sentence--a hne but OF trivial
amount.
Determined however, to resist on principle, so
iawiess an imposition, we appealed through our at
torney to the Minister OF Internal Affairs, who, we
were informed would be the next to try this cause
ceie6re At the same time we intimated That II the
matter did not terminate fayorably here 1t should be
After some further weeks OF delay another
summons came. We appeared at the Po-
lice Headquarters, and had the satisfaction
OF hearing the Chiefs decision reversed by the Minis
ter and the former Official severely denounced tor
his course in the affair. Doubtless all this annoy
could have been obviaed by feeling the referee
before whom the matter first came. But as the
whole transaction appeared to have sprung from Il
sniy piqpe OF the police at former successful resist
ance by us OF improper taxes we resolved chat
sturdy honesty OF opposition would be by AL means
the pest policy.
AMERICANS AND AMERICA.
As the summer deepens the number Of American