The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-09-10
Tho Assassination OF Kotsebue.

Augustus Won Kotzebue, a famous dramatic
writer, author, among number OF other plays
of "The Strang ger" and "Pizarro," lived a Htt
full of strange vicissitudes, and expired in tht
following tragic manner The Emperor OF
Russia was extremely anxious to influence OF
torcstall opinion in Germany. For this pur
pose Kotzebue was employed Heestablished
a journal. in which he opposed all progress
and the liberty of the press. A paper intend
ed only for the eye of the Emperor Alexander,
IN which KotZebue described one OF his OPP
ponents in journalism as 1.-THE most detestable
instrument of hell" at length, in 1918, reveal
ed the full treachery of this literary hireling,
and raised a cry of indignation against him
throughout Germany. The exposure com.
PEELED him to quit Welmar. He next took up
his abode at Mannheim, where he resumed
his perfdious work; and, at a time when all
Germany was ringing with echoes of the
French revolution, proclaimed himself the
enemy of liberty and the friend of despotism.
This alone would have been sufficient to have
brought down upon him the indignation of
the enthusiasts; but when to this was added
the knowledge that he was the mouthpiecc OF
a foreign despot, who was deslr0us of estab-
fishing an authority over the country, indig.
nation rose TO ungovernable hatred. He hau
made himself particularly conspicuous in APP
INV NISiIiiS VI l,SOU StuutDtS llblh
Goltlngen, On account OF a brawl between
hem and the citizens and morbid young
student, named Charles Louis Sand, took up.
on himself TO ave1ge, a la Charlotte Corday,
the cause OF liberty and the Fatherland
On the 9th of March 1919 he left Jena on
foot for Mannheim, and arrived there on the
23d. Dressed In old German costume, and as
Stunning the name OF Henricks, he presented
himself at Kotzebue's house. on the pretense
that he had brought letters from Weimar.
After two Intellectual attempts he at length
gained admission and was shown into pri.
vate room; scarcely had the victim crossed
the threshold when Sand plunged long
poniard into his breast, and when he had fall
en-, to make his work sure, inflicted three more
wounds upon the body. The noise Of the
scuffle speedily Brought servants and family
10 the tragic scene, and the assassin was found
dagger IN hand, quietly contemplating the
dying man. Yet no one attempted to arrest
him, and he descended the staircase, and pre-
sented himself before the throng of people,
whom the cries of "Murderp' had already
gathered about the spot, and, still flourishlng
the poniard in one hand and written paper
IN the other, exclaimed II am the murderer
and it is thus that all traitors should die"
Then he fell up3n his knees, and clasping his
hands raised them to heaven, exclaimng, 81
thank Thee, Oh God, for having permitted me
successfully to fulfill this act of justice"
Upon the paper were inscribed the words,
i,Dcathblow for Augustus Won Kotzebue In the
name of virtue"
No sooner had he spoken the last words
than, tearing open his waistcoat, he repeatedly
plunged the weapon into his own bosom, and
fell to the ground. He was now, IN swoon-
ing condition, conveyed to prison, but as soon
as he recovered he tore off his bandages and
made the most desperate efforts 10 put an end
to his life AT the trial his handsome person
and his calm exaltatlon excited the utmost
sympathy, and he went TO the scaffold devout
ly believing that he had performed an act of
noble selfdevoton, and far more pltied by the
populace than was his miserable victim.