The National Register.
London, England, 1820-11-06 00:00:00

I

V•


THE QUEEN'S TRIAL.
We await with an ansi:ty which no language
can describe, the issue of the present proceedings in
the Lords, It will point out to the public the de-
gree of confidence it would be prudent on their
part to place hereafter on the deliberations of that
House. The Queen'e innocence is fully established,
and nine tenths of the public, including all the vir-
tue and independence of the country, are perfectly
satisfied with the defence she has made. They
moreover consider her as a grossly injured woman,
possessing qualities of mind and heart, which end.
tied her to expect a life of happiness instead of suffer-
ing ; and whose peace of mind has been sacrificed at
the shrine of private caprice, or on the altar of po-
litical treachery.
The idea of her long and unmerited wrongs, added
to the deep conviction of her innocence have not only
excited in her behalf an unparalleled share of sym-
pathy, but have made her cause that of the nation
at largo. If the Bill were unfortunately to pass, it
would leave an indelible impression on the public
mind, that innocence has no security in the
present practice of the Constitution, if it happen
as give umbrage to the Crown. It would also
bo regarded as a deliberate insult to the great
body of the people, as a defiance flung at them, and
a sort of manifesto, preparatory to the hostilities
which it is proposed to wage against the remaining
'rights and liberties of the people,
Such is the light in which the public would
view the passing of the Bill. Are Ministers pre-
pared to carry this detestable and impolitic act under
each circumstances ? We cannot believe it ; for it
would not only prove them to be the most desperate
and unprincipled politicians, that ever governed this
or any other country ; but it would convict them of
treachery towards their royal master, and of a con-

spiracy to throw on parliament as much of the odium

as possible. Ministers have no higher powers of per-
eeption than other men—they cannot pretend to see
guilt, where it is hidden from the eyes of thousands,
as moral, as enlightened, and infinitely mon disin-
terested than themselves. They have laid all the
sharps they could collect, and all the evidence
which by dint of money and influctuxt they could
promo, before the country. The public say, the
*barges are false, because the depositions against
bier Majesty aro not only grossly defective, but have
a taint of subornation and perjury throughout.—
If the accusers pronounce a different opinion; if
they attach guilt, where others see clear proofs of
innocence, they will infallibly incur the suspicion
of endeavouring Ito sacrifice a human being—that
being too their Queen, to their inordinate ambi-
tion. But if they actually condemn her,Alajesty,
upon such testimony as has been brought forward.

they plainly say that the first principles of law and
justice form no check upon their conduct, and that
the constitution is a good thing in theory, but
utterly worthless in practice. Thcy will also de-
clare to the people Wc will do this unexampled
act of injustice and tysenny in spite of all your
rausiturs ; and if you offer to rcsist, we will thew
the means we have of coercing your refractory
spirit, and punishing your insolence." This would
be the Lilian of this unprecedented act of state
expediency. as the supporters of the bill call it, or
of state-tyranny, as it is termed by the lovers of
justice. However, it would soon bring matters
between the governing and the governed to au
issue

Will the aristocracy. of the country, with the vast
stake they have in it, many of them descended from
the great men who perfected the glorious scheme of
Englia4 liberty, and consequently counting public
spirit ataongst their hereditary honours—will they,
we say, suffer so detestable a Bill to pass their
House, and thus prove that they have not inherited
a single virtue with the estates of their :ancestors ?
Will they at the same time connect their fate with
that of Ministry, who have undertaken to manage
this odious prosecution, in opposition to their better