The Placer herald., 1857-03-14
AUBURN, MARCH IA, 1857.
State Trials.

States Governments, have been OF such rare oc-
currence, as to throw about them, when they do
occur. most extraordinary interest. There is in
monarcha governments an adhesion to form and
dress a pomp and circumstance OF mannerism on
occasions of this kind as in every other state
matter, to which we plain Republicans do not
aspire, but on the other hand there is a moral
power with us in movements of this kind to which
the Others attempt in vain to reach.
We do not try for political sins so much as for
acts within themselves by universal consent
considered criminal, they on the contrary, are
apt to make political act which for the time being
is considered wrong, crime, and impeach upon
that. We are more certain of having our conyic-
tions sanctioned by posterity and the world at
large, whilst those of other countries may meet
the most unqualified condemnation on the next
political convulsion. Our convictions always
brand the culprit with moral and political turpi-
tude whilst they do not aspire to anything great
er than ferritng out political wrong and pun
ishing the offender The great event of this de
scription in England was the trial of Warren
Hastings, commenced in 17SS. The accused in
that case was descended from proud Old family
but much reduced in purse. Early in life he went
as an adventurer to India in the capacity Of sub
ordinate clerk in the employ Of the great company
then just budding into historic and political inn
portance, under the direction Of another adven-
turer, Give. 1t was glorious field for the daring
youth and Hastings became the successorof Give,
was long time Governor General Of the British
possessions in that country made war aud CON
cluded peace; in fact perfected magnificent En-
81 nj in t1,l
historic page and prncely fortune
1t was after he returned to England to repose
upon his laurels and enjoy his wealth. that he was
impeached by the House Of Commons and brought
to the Bar of the Peers for trial, for high crimes
and mislemeanors whilst Goyernor-General Of
India. The trial lasted nearly eight years, and
resulted in acquittal. The truth was that it was
more a political persecution than trial for any
definite crime. Macauly has thrown about this
trial all the interest of romance, the opening Of
the House of Lords as a court for the hearing of
the case is thus described by that accomplished
historian and essayist:-
There have been spectac!es more dazzling to the
eve. more gorgeous with jewellery and cloth OF
gold more attractive to grown up children, than
that which was then exhibited in Nestmnster;
but, perhaps, there never was spectacle so well
calculated to strike a highly cultivated, reflect
ing an ina ginatiye mind All the various kinds
of interest which belong to the near and to the
distant, to the present and to the past We're col
lccted on one spot and in one hour All the tai
ents and all the accomplishments which are de-
veloped by liberty aud civilization were now dis
played, with every advantage that could be de-
rived both from cooperation and from contrast
Every step in the proceedings carried the mind
either backward through many troubled centuries,
to the days when the foundations Of the constitu-
ton were laid; or far away over boundleSs seas
and deserts, to dusky natiOnsliying under strange
stars, worshipping strange gods, and writing
strange characters from RI chit to left. The High
Court of Parliament was TO sit, according to forms
handed down from the days of The Plantagencts.
Oh an Englishman accused of exercising tyranny
over the lord of the holy city of Bcnares, and the
ladies OF the princely house OF Dude.
The place was worth Of such trial II was
the great hall of william Rufus; the hall which
had resounded with acclamations at the inaugura
ton Of thirty kings; The hall which had witnessed
the Just sentence Of Bacon and the just absoution
of Somers; the hall where the eloquence Of Strat-
ford had for moment aWed and melted victo-
rions party nlamed with Just resentment: the hall
where Charles had confronted the High Court
OF Justice with the placid courage which has half
redeemed his fame Neither military nor civil
pomp was wanting. The avenues were lined with
grenadiers. The streets were kept clear by cav
alrv Th2-Pecrs robcd in godand ermne. were
marshalled by the heralds under Garter King-at-
Arms. The judges, in their yestments Of state.
attended to give advice on points Of law. Near
a hundred and seventy Lords three fourths Of the
Upper House, as the Upper House then was, walk
ed in solemn order from their usual place OF as
sembling to the tribunal. The junior baron pres
ent led the way-Lorl Iiealthield. recently emo
bled for his memorable defence of Gibraltar .ainst
the fleets and armies of France and Spain The
long procession was closed by the Duke Of Nor
folk, Earl Marshal of the realm, by the great dig
IL 81 I-fr.
Last of all came the Prince of Wales, conspicuous
by his fine person and noble bearing. The gray
old walls were hung with scarlet The long gal
leries were crowded by such an audience as has
rarely excited the fears or the emulation ofan ora
tor There were gathered together, iromall parts
of great free enli ghtcncd and prosperous realm
grace and female loyeliness. wit and learning, the
representatives of every science and OF every art
There were seated around the queen the hirhair
ed young daughters of the house of brunswick
There the Ambassadors Of great kings ana common
weaths gazed with admiration a spectacle
which no other country in the world could present
There Siddons, in the prime OF her majestic beau
ty, looked with emotion on q scene surprising all
the limitations of the stage. There the historian
of the Roman Empire thought of the days when
Cicero pleaded the cause Of Sicily against Nerrus;
and when. before a senate which had still some /
show of freedom. Tacihs thundcrcd against The /
oppressor OF Africa. There were seen side by |
side. the greatest painter and the greatest /
scholar of the age. The spectacle had aliured /
Reynolds from that easel which has preserved 10
us the thoughtful foreheads Of so many writer's |
and statesmen, and the sweet smiles OF 50 many
noble matrons 1t had induced Pafr TO suspend |
his labors in that dark and profound mine from
which he had extracted vast treasure OF erud- |
tion-a treasure too often buried in the earth
too often paraded with injudcious and inelegant
ostentation; but still precious, massive, and splen
did There appeared the ~voluptuous charms OF
her to whom the heir Of the throne had in secret |
plighted his faith There, too, was she, the beau
tiful mother of beautiful race the Saint Cecilia.
whose delicate features, lighted up by love and |
m;sic, art has rescued from the common decay
There were the members of that brilliant society
which quoted criticised, and exchanged repartees
under The rich neneock hnn@inns Of Mrs. Mon