The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-07
MISCELLANEOUS.
"DAS VHEME CERICHT.o

"DAS fHEME CERlCHI."
Few phenomena, either moral or political,
have excited more the attention Of the pho-
sopher than the Secret Tribunal of Germany,
better known by its proper appe!lation Of
Das Vheme Cericht." AT this remote Pc
riod Of time it is impossible clearly TO decide
whether its origin was Of masonic character
or otherwise: and il is certain that many of
the ceremonies and rites by which its pro-
ceedinss were characterized, approached 10
the ritual OF the Ancient Free and Accepted
Order, but as that resemblance fails TO identi.
fy itself with the landmarks of free masonry,
the truth must still remain matter Of specu-
lation.
is far from being our object, in this
sketch, to justify all the proceedings Of the
free-judges; like all human authorities, they
were subject to the influence of passions, pre-
JUDGES and feelings, which are inseparable
from our nature. Our object is merely TO show
its mysterious power, the perfect despotism
which it exercised over the actions Of its
members, compelling the father to denounce
the son-the brother TO take the brothers life
IT sentence were once passed by the band
ed Judges.
In forming our opinion Of the institution,
much should be allowed for the peculiar state
of the German empire at the period when the
Vheme fourshed. Feudalism, in all its anti
social terrors, existed; the warlike nobility Of
the age claimed jurisdiction in life and pro.
perry over yassals, and we're each s0vereigns
on their own estates. The Vheme, like most
abuses, grew out Of the social Reorganization
of the country; out lived the necessity which
called il into existence, and, like most pheno-
mena, has left no successor to the world.
1t was on cold, stormy night, in the month
of December, toward the close of the four
teenth century, that traveller mounted on a
jaded steed, endeavored to trace the bridal
path through the forest Of Bltzfeld, which
skirts the borders of Suabia. Although the
minivar lined cloak, golden chain and gilt
spurs of the horseman denoted that his rank
was that Of noble, yet his Ger soiled dress,
worn steed and look Of alarm at the least
sound made by the rustling Of the trees as the
reused fawn, bounded from its cover at the
appro ,ch Of his horses steps, at once pro-
claimed him hunted fugitive
I" / cannot have mistaken the track ~ ex-
claimed Graf Ulrich, for such was the name
and rank of the traveller. "Years have
Blitzfeld, but memory has treasured too well
the scenes of my childhood, to permit me to
be mistaken. ''Ha! hal" he continued, as
an ancient cross, half bedded in ivy and moss,
met his view, !" am right; there stands the
abbot's cross. Thank Heaven! am out Of
his jurisdiction, and safe in the lands Of my
cousin, Herman of Wol(enstein. ] he priest
bears no great love to our house, ard would
scarcely have risked the ban of the empire to
have afforded me shelter"
Thus communing with himself, the pro-
scribed man once more urged his half worn
steed along the narrow and precipitous path
which led to the refuge from which he had for
SO many years been wanderer. Some
doubts OF the kind of reception he was likely
to meet with from the relative whose hospi-
tally and protection he was about to claim,
evidently oppressed him, for at intervals the
following disjointed soliloquy might have been
over heard from him:
evil Wolfen3tein protect me !" muttered
Ulrich; "he hath kind heart, am sure he
loves me-did," bitterly added the unhappy
man, as the recollections Of the crimes and
expressions which had divided him from his
once chosen friend, rushed upon his soul
"did love me. And why not still? My
hand may be red, but it hath ever been faith
ful TO him. may have braved the ban of the
free Judges, but have never broken faith with
him. Shelter and security | may at least rely
upon"
Four persons were seated in the guest
chamber Of Wollenstein; its young and no
BILE owner and three travellers, whose staid
and grave demeanor, sober costume, and Sc
we're countenances, would, to the eye Of the
physiognomist. have proclaimed them to be
magistrates, or persons clothed in the terrors
Of authority.
You have heard the will of the tribunal 70
exclaimed the elder. "Count of Wolfensein
your answer"
81 cannot do itp' exclaimed their young
host, starting from his seat, his jewelled breast
heaving with the powerful emotions by which he
was distracted, -" Ulrich was--is my friend,
for, in the hour Of his danger, feel that he is
dear to me as ever; and you ask that should
deliver him into the hands Of the Vheme |
cannot do it,
He is murderer" dryly iterated the first
speaker, "under the ban Of the empire and
the most holy Vheme."
"Here is my friend, exclaimed Wolfen-
stein, sand despite his follies-nay crimes, II