The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-02-18


multitude, and no, nicely distinguishing be.
tween the periured accuser and the inoocen,
magistrate, had taken revenge Of which the
history of prosecuted sec,s furnishes bu, too
many examples. If this were so, the assas-
sin must have afterwards bitterly execrated
his own wickedress and folly The capital
and the whole nation went mad with hatred
and fear. The penal laws, which had begun
TO lose something of their edge, were shar.
pened anew. Everywhere justices were bu,
sled in searching houses and seizng papers
All the iails were filed with papiss. Lon
don had the aspect of city in state Of
siege. The train-bands were under arms oil
night. Preparations were made for barica-
ding The great thoroushfares. Patrols march
ed NJ and down the streets. Cannon were
planted round Whitehall. No citizen thought
himself safe unless he carried under his Goa,
small fail loaded with lead 10 brain the
popish assassins. The corpse of the muir
dered magistrate was exhibited during seve.
raj days 10 the gaze of great muuies, and
was then committed to the grave with strange
and terrible ceremonies, which indicated
rather fear and the thirst of vengeance than
sorrow OF religious hopes, The houses in.
sisted that guard should be placed in the
vaults over which they sat, in order 10 Sc
cure them against second guupowder plot.
All their proceedings were of piece with
this demand. Ever since the reign OF Eliza
beth the Oath of Supremacy haG been OK.
acted from members OF tho House of c om-
mons. Some Roman Catholics, however,
had con,rived so 10 interpret ha, oath that
they could take i, without scruple. A more
I stringent test was now added, and the Ro.
| man Catholic lords were for the first time
| time excluded from their seats IN Parliament.
| The Duke Of York was driven from the Privy
Council. Strong resolutions were adopted
against the Queen. The Commons threw
one OF the secretaries Of state into prison Ior
having courtersigned commissions directed
10 gentlemen who were not good Protes,ants.
They impeached the lord treasurer of high
treason; nay, they so far forgot the doctrine
which, while the memory Of the civil war
was s'iIl recent, they had loudly professed,
tha, they even attempted 10 wresl the COM
mand OF the militia out of the Kings hands.
To such temper had eighteen years of mis-
government bFoagh, the most loyal Parlia.
ment tha, had ever met in England.
Yet it may neem strange that, even in that
extremity, the King should have veEiured 10
appeal 10 the PEOPLE. for the people were
more excited than their representatives. The
Lower House, disconlenled as twas, contained
larger number Of Cavaliers than were likely
10 find seats again. But it was thought that
n dissolution would put a stop TO The prose.
culion OF the lord treasurer; prosecution
which might probably bring 10 light all the
guilty my steres of the French alliance, and
mighithus cause extreme personal annoy
ance and embarrassment 10 Charles. Ac-
cordineIy, in January, 1879, the Parliament,
which had been in existence ever since the
beginning Of The year 1861, was dissolved,
and writs were issued for a general elec-
ton.
During some weeks the contention over
the whole country was fierce and obstinate
beyond example. Unprecedented sums were
expended. New tactics were employed. 1t
was remarked by the pamphleteers of tha,
time as something extraordinary, that horses
were hired at great charge for the convey
auce Of electors. The practice of splitting
fIeeholds for the purpose OF multiplying votes
dates from this memorable struggle. Dis.
senling preachers, wi o had !ong hidden
themselves in quiet hooks from persecution,
now emerged from their retreats, and rode
from village 10 village Tor the purpose of re-
kindling the zeal of the scattered people of
God. The tide ran strong against the gov.
eminent. Most of the new members came
up 10 Westminster in mood little differing
from that OF their predecessors who had sent
Slrsford and Laud TO The Tower.
Meanwhile the courts of justice, which
ought TO be, in the midst of political commo-
tions, sure places Of refuge for The innocent
of every party, were disgracsd by wilder
passions and fouler corruptons than were TO
be found even on the hustings. The tale of
Oates, though il had sufiiced 10 convnlse the
whole realm, would not, until confirmed by
other evidence, suffice 10 destroy the hum
blest of those whom he had accused for,
by ihe OIL law of England, Two Witnesses
are necessary to establish charge of trea-
son. But the success of The first imposler
produced its natural consequences. In few
weeks he had been raised from penury and
obscurily 10 oppulence, 10 power which
made him The dread of princes and nobles,
and 10 notoriety such as has Tor low and bad
minds all the attractions of glory. He was
not long without coadjutors and rivals
a wretch named Carsiairs, who had earned
living in Scotland by going disguised 10
conventicles and then informing against the
preachers, led the way. Bedloe, noted
swindler, followed and soon, from all the
brothels, gambling-houses, and sponging-
houses Of London, false Witnesses poured
forth TO swear away the lives Of Roman