The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-04-03
Oliver Cromwell.

which English historians could not be depend
cd On the American Revolution, Napoleon
aud his career, the Rebellion in Ireland, and
Oliver Cromwell. lie gave brief account
OF the causes which led to the outbreak Of
which Cromwell eventually becnme the lead
or. In war England had TO contend against
tyranny. The Commons in England had to
contend against the three, oppressive royal
ty,a feudal aristocracy, ga grnsping clergy.
The lecturer then proceeded TO give brief
history of the several Parlnmeuls under
Charles |, from June 1926, down to the cele-
brated long Parliament, which commenced
its session in November 1850 speaking par
;iculnrly ofthe conflicts between king and
Parliament, and the demands Of the people
for redI ess.
At the opening Of the long Parliament. the
people were still bent OH obtaining redress.
Thathad seen that no confidence could he
placed in the king, and Parliament resolved
10 take things into its own hand. One Of its
first acts wns to declare that Parliament
should not he dissolved without its own con-
sent. The king made great concession aud
the aspect of things begnii to improve, when
suddenly, and without previous intimaiiOn.
ClurIes impeaChcd five membcrsofthc House
for high trenson. This was in 1862. lie
ntotiicers 10 arrest the members. The House
refused 10 give them up. The king came
with an armed force, hoping by his presence
to Overawe them. But no sooner did he ap-
pear than the cry of Privilege! "Privicgc"
smote on his ear from all quarters. The inn
penChcd members had been conveyed away
by their friends, and the baflled king returned
without accomplishing his ohicct. From
this time Cromwell appears on the stage of
action and is not again lost sight Of Amid
these stern countenanccs and flashing eyes,
bent on that naughty king us with armed fol-
lowers he invaded the rights of the House,
Cromwell selected his position, chose his
course, aud steadily pursued il I'LL the head
Of Charles Stuart rolled upon the scafioIdnnd
the weight of government rested upon his
shoulders.
The employment Of force on The Part OF
the king brought about the use of similar
means on the side of Parliament. A civil
war eusucd. Redress became rebellion, and
reformation became revolution. Hcnceiorth
the struggle was transferred from the halls
of debate to the eInbairled fields; from u war
of words 20 the strife of armies.
Cromwell entered the conflict with his
whola soul. His first act was high treason
lie ,n.new ifovCshorne in the strife he must
meet traitors death but he shrumk not from
the consequences. lie had Wnsheathcd his
sword for the cause of the Oppressed and III
was not to he returned to the scallard ny his
hand, while nm enemy remained. In the bat
tie of Edgehill. the first fought between the
beIgereuts, he was captain ola company
1t was here, with his keen, observing erc.Ihat
he noted the disparity between the cavalry
of the king and ot'his own party. The form
er were the Sous Of gentlemen, young, vigor-
ous the flower of the land, while the latter
were mostly men past the meridian of life
COOLERS and trnudsmcn, hestrided SUI
perannuatcd horses, and they went down
like grass before the charge Of their advcrsa-
ries. Cromwell saw this and mentioned it TO
his superior officer. The reply was, that the
fact was obvious, hut that he could do uotl-
ing. But can aud will do something" said
Cromwell. He sat himself vigorously TO
work and the result was tie formation oithat
famous body of horse called the "lrousides,'
Il squadron of cavalry that nothing could with
stand. They fought in every battle and were
never beaten.
Cromwell made religion the war cry Of his
host. Napoleon chose the next best thing
glory. Cromwell's mighty encampmeuls re-
sembed the Methodist Camp meeting. In
every tent there was prayer meeting. The
visitor, ms he moved through the camp and
heard the nasal pslnm singing, might curl his
lily in scorn when he thought that such men
were soldiers. But when he saw those same
men don the helmet, mount the war horse.
and rush shouting TO the charge, cleaving
heads al every blow. and riding down whole
sGuadrons, he would tread with lighter step
around those puritan prayer meetings, and
that nasal chanting would sound in his ears
like muttcrings from the lip of the volcano.
Cromwell, like Bonnparte, was Il man
whom no reverses could dishearten, no pros
pect, however dark, discourage. At the bat
tie of Dunbar he was completely cntrapped.-l
His army was drawn up on tongue of land
projecting into tue sea From the point ofits
junction with the main land rose n high
mountain. On the summit of this elevation,
aud along the only remaining path of escape,
lay an army out numbering his own twoto
one. But even here he showed no despon-
dency. Careless for himself he cared only
for the cause in which he had embarked
\ letter written by him AT this time and which
Mr. II. gave entire, shows this concusively.-
He spoke ofhs situation as one from which
nothing short ola miracle could eXtricate him.
But he wasted no time on this subject. His
whole care is for his cause, and the letter is
one of advice, showing his friends how TO act
in case of his fall. Dclivcrance came. lie
espies false movement on the part of his adj
versary and determines to take advantage of
it. His antagonist had concentrated the prin-
cipal part ofhis forces in one solid mass,
while one wing was extended over consider
able space His object was to fall upon this
extended wing and drive it from the main
body, which was so condensed as to be una
Bile to deploy and receive his attack, hence
confusion and a route must follow. All his
little army stood under arms. A cold rain
benumbed their limbs, and the sullen moan
ofthe tempest tost ocean seemed the requiem
chanted for those who were to fall on the NOR
row. At the first break of dawn Cromwell
fell upon them like thunderholt. With his
III L L Il Il.