New Hampshire Statesman

MISCELLANY.
From the Lexington, Kentucky, Reporter.

We are confident that there cannot be found in the annals of party violence and animosity in this country, a more atrocious act than was committed here on the first day of the late election. It was characterized by a deliberate and diabolical malignity, which utterly precludes the excuse, which some seem disposed to make, of trick and thoughtlessness. How many, or who were the actors in it, is not ascertained, but we trust will be, and their names held up to the abhorrence and indignation of Mankind. That a very considerable number were privy and consenting to it, and so far participes criminis, is, however, well known—but for the act itself.

It having been manifest after the second day of the election, that the Constitutional ticket would succeed by a considerable majority, and it being known that a large quantity of liquor was making into toddy and punch to regale the friends of the successful candidates after the election, as is usual in this country, a scheme was got up, and some agent or agents engaged to procure a large quantity of Emetic Tartar (accounts vary from half a pound to two pounds) and infused into the barrels of liquor standing opened and exposed. The miscreants completely succeeded—and the lives of from five hundred to one thousand citizens were thus jeopardized! Even at the very moment when the infernal scheme was operating on hundreds and producing nausea, vomiting, and cramp of stomach, threatening the most serious consequences, they were enjoying the scene with a pleasure more befitting demons than men.

It is not known that it has yet proved fatal to any one of the great number who partook of the liquor, but many are yet feeling its effects, and it may be considered providential should no deaths occur. We have said that it was premeditated, and we say so, because we are well assured, that a person was employed to calculate as to the probable number of persons who would partake of the liquor, and how many grains might be allowed to each person, without producing death! Thus were the lives of our fellow citizens placed on a footing with those of the unhappy victims of British Military despotism, where the Surgeon is made to feel the pulse of the sufferer, from time to time, to ascertain how far the torture of flagellation may be carried without producing death.

A course of legal investigation has been instituted to detect the authors of this malicious party trick, and one or two individuals supposed to have been concerned, are in custody, or on bail, and others we understand have absconded.