The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1824-08-09

"'S0'~u iiotb ~ thO CuiCt pOTitOU VI Tvs
privileges As evil frequently operates
to produce good, the Uixie+shih Of the
Prince of Peace, established upon the
corruption of morals and the contempt
OF social observances, required an a.
bridgcment Of the power of all judicial
institutions; and the Holy OEice. inclu-
ded in the number of these, suffered a
further retrenchment ofits sway.
In this state OF things, while Godoy
held unlimited authority, the successors
OF Saint Dominic might be seen in the
cour,Iy anti chamber, forming a motley
group with the vainest cour,e1sns, and
emulously watching for look from the
naughty favorite. Deprived Of moral
and political consideration, their functions
were now confined to the prohibition OF
Certain books, or the punishment, per-
chance, OF some visionary old woman
(6eata.)
Having seen what was the nature OF
the Imposition at the period of its fall,
we will now view it at that of ii. late re.
vivah Ferdinand VII in his rc.appear-
ance on the summit OF the Pyrenees. Of
ter his exile, might we'll be compared 10
a disastrous comet, boiling every species
OF plague to the unhappy Spsniards.-
He destroyed in his ingratude the constl.
tutioDal system, TO which he was indebted
FOR his personal liberty. ignorance, SUPER
| stition, and every kind of feudal abuse
were fostered by him into poisonous
vIgor. He re-es,ablished with alacrity
the tribunal of the Holy Office, for no
purpose of religion (his character is des
titute Of it,) but as an instrument ofterror
and vengeance--as means OF subduing,
by the horrors of incarceration. all that
was virtuous, liberal and enlightened. -
From that fatal moment, not a day pas
sed but some untortunates we're torn from
the bosom of their families, to be plunged
INFO me vaults Of the tpeuisition and, in
some instances, 10 undergo every refine
| meDt in the art of torture. Such was
he rage for the finding or making vic.
TINS, that the dungeons were speedily
crowded. A single ascusatin at Valen
cia sufiiced for the committal to the In.
QUESTION of twenty five individuals, 10.
gether with the accusing party. At
nurcia,the arrest Of at least two hundred
persons was occasioned by a single
charge. At Madrid, at Granada, at ST.
jacques. every where, in short, were
victims seized upon, without regard to
age, sex, condition, or services rendered
A Spanish nobleman (the count de Mon
tigo, who was immured in the cells of
the Holy Office, recovered his liberty
only through the Revolution Of 1920, the
interests of which, however, ne subse.
quently betrayed. Two generals, MN.
Torrigo and AlmedovarS who had receive
ed many wounds during the war for in
dependence-yarious superior officers,
persons belonging TO the finance depart-
| ment, priests and monks, women and
children, ali were hurried away into the
same dreadful confinement.
Out of number of facts which we,
could cite, the following anecdote, 10 the
authenticity of which we pledge our
selves, may suffice for an example Mr.
E., distinguished as a man of letters
and attached to an important Branch of
the state administration, vas arrested
and conducted to the IDquisitioD at Ma
drid, for having expressed, as was al
legged, irreligious opinions but, in resli,
", liberal opinions. Moreover, as it was
expected to be shown that these express
sions had been uttered in presence of his
wife, who had not denounced him to the
Holy Office, she was likewise committed
to the same dungeon. This unfortunate
couple had young and only child, whom
Madame E. brought with her, and
who died in the Inquisition through cold
and improper food. The king, who