Arizona weekly enterprise., 1882-06-17
The Assassination of Kotzebue.

Augustus von Kotzebue, a famous dramatic writer, author, among a num- Ter of other plays, of The Stranger" and "Pizarro," lived a life full of strange vicissitudes. and expired in the following tragic manner: The Emperor of Russia was extremely anxious to influence or forestall opinion in Germany. For this purpose Kotzebue was employed. He established a journal, in which he op- posed all progress and the liberty of the press. A paper intended only for the eye of the Emperor Alexander, in which Kotzebue described one of his opponents in journalism as "the most detestable instrument of hell, " at length, in ISIS, revealed the full treachery of this literary hireling, and raised cry of in- dignation against him throughout Germany. The exposure compelled him to quit Weimar. He next took up his abode at Mannheim, where he resumed his perfdious work and, at time when all Germany was ringing with echoes of the French revolution, proclaimed him Self 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 en- thusiasts; but when to this was adde the knowledge that he was the mouth piece of & foreign despot, who was de sirous of establishing an authority over the country. indignation rose to uli- goyernable hatred. He had made him self particularly conspicuous in applaud ing the dismissal of l, 200 students from GottiDgen, on account of brawl between hem and the citizens, and mol bid young student, named Charles Louls 0,.na, took upon himself to avenga, 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 t ere on the 23d. Dressed in old Ger man costume, and assuming the rame of Henricks, he presented himself at hotzabue's house, on the pretense til.t ne had brought letters from We;mar. After two intellectual tempts, he ai length gain admission, and was showu into 8 private room, scarcely had the victim crossed the threshold when Sand plunged long poniard into his breast, ald when he had fallen, to make his work sure, inflicted three more wounds upon the body. The noise of the scuffie
 peedily brought servants and family to the tragic scene, and the assassin wa found, dagger in hand, quietly contem- plating the dying man. Yet no one attempted to arrest him, and he descended the staircase, and presented himself be- fore the throng Of people, whom the cries of [" Murder had already gathered about the spot, and, still fourishing the poniard in one hand and 8 written paper n the other, exclaimed, "I am the murderer, and it Is thus that all traitors should die. <" Then he fell upon his knees, and clasping his hands raised them to heaven, exclaiming, thank Thee, Oh, God, for having permitted me successfully to fulfill this Of justice. |" Upon the paper were inscribed the words, Deathblow for Augustus von Kotzebue in the name of virtue. 7
 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 swooning condition, conveyed to prison, but as soon as he. recovered he tore off his bandages and m.ds the most desperate efforts to put nn end to his life. At the trial his hand s.,me person and his calm exaltation | excited the utmost sympathy, 1 and he went to the scaft1ld devoutly believing that he had performed an act of noble self-devotion, and far more pltied by the popriace than was lis | miserable victim. :"