Counter-revolutionary campaign in Cologne
* Cologne, 25 September.
Scarcely has the official news of the formation of the counter-revolutionary ministry reached the Rhine, than there awakens in the local public prosecutor’s office not only an omnipotent desire to arrest, but a zeal for action such as has not occurred even in the old police state.5
This morning the counter-revolutionary campaign has begun. Its heroes have been victorious at some points, repulsed at others: – a fate that has befallen even greater field commanders. The intention was to carry off a few dozen Cologne democrats as morning booty and with this news to gladden the local whiners over their breakfast. But a part of the booty has been snatched away from the gentlemen. Thus Wachter, captain of the 9th company of the civic militia, was wrested by the people from the hands of the holy Hermandad.
At our fellow-citizen Moll’s, 6 guardians of the law broke in. The crowd, quickly assembled around the house, its threatening attitude induced 2 of the gentlemen to try to flee to the attic, a third to the cellar. Unfortunately, the house has only one exit. Moll yielded to the wish of the frightened men and asked the people for safe withdrawal for the 6-man-strong brigade.
As for Becker and Schapper: they have been carried off to prison at the earliest morning hour. Besides Bürgers, several other editors of our paper are reportedly on the proscription list and attempts have been made to arrest them.
Should the gentlemen proceed further with the execution of their plans, our newspaper will soon be able to be edited only in a mysterious manner. Yet we believe we can assure that all manoeuvres directed against us will prove, in the main, fruitless and our