The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-05-18


have the memory Of Cromwell enshrinsd in
such work:
We shall not here attempt any defense OF
Cromwell. "In Speaking" said Milton, sof
such man, who hns merited so we'll OF his
country, should do nothing If only excul-
pated HIM from crimes since it 80 nearly
concerns the country and myself, who am 50
closely implicated in the same disgrace, to
evince to all nations, and as far as can, to
all ages, the excellence of bis character, and
the splendor of his renown." After Milton,
and Macauay, and Carlyle, it becomes u diff
fcult task to speak on the subject Let US,
however, Is briefly as possible review the life
of Cromwell In its fret obscure period, in
Guiding two thirds of his life, he is plain
English farmer, distinguished only BY his
homely English virtues, his strong common
sense and independence, his earnest piety, his
forwardness in oil good works. At home,
he 10 strict, yet tender, full OF soft sympa.
tbies and playful kindness. He enters the
British parliament, recommended by little
political skill or influence, still less by any
oratorical attainments, but by his thorough
practical force and earnestness, he approves
himself as man ssto sit well to the mark"
In the next stage of his life, he is an extern
pore soldier, who, having learned to govern
himself, proves his fitness to be a leader OF
others. He inspires his men with his own
spirit, fights with the enthusiarm of one who
believes, and passes on from victory to VIC
tory. When Justice requires it, he can be as
memorable as death; but he has an affection
ate pity for distress, and patient tolerance
for honest doubt or misguided sincerity. As
his sphere widens, his powers are developed;
he displays . faculty equal to the greatest
MI md ha "A w al
men come to rely on the strength of his arm,
and. the wisdom Of his counsel. With soul
pervnding belief in things unseen, ever alike
in public and private, in he shock Of battle
and the heat Of debate, speaking and feeling
us a man under the eyes Of God and an in
strument in His hands, he unites o clear and
prompt intelligence that finds difficult vent in
words, but cuts decisvely through the subj
lest entanglements, and vigor Of will that
takes up the most appalling difficulties with
an Iron grasp, scatters doubt and opposition
to the winds, and establishes order on the
basis Of fact. He has no theories about
government, but he knows in oil circumstan-
ces what suits the time, and he dares to re-
alize it. A king governs i'll and obstructs
the growth Of England's true life; he helps
to dethrone him, and sets up . republic
The republic proves itself unit for the ma
tional requirements, and its leaders talk
when they ought to act he takes the work
into his own hands, trampling upon law, res
olute only that England shall in some true
sense accomplish her destiny. And now he
is visibly, as he had long been virtually, the
head Of the nation.
lie has disappointed every party, not by
deceiving them, but by being more wise to
recognize the true state OF things, and the
true conditions Of national wel-being. He
has converted into enemies many sincere and
able men who cannot see with his eyes, and
think their duty consists not in aiding but
in opposing him. lie has situated the afec-
tons Of old comrades, who cling to their
loved theories, while he is striving only to
put whatever was good in these theories into
practice. His superior mind, ever growing,
has opened into wider circle OF thoughts
out OF the mist and storm of revolution. Ex-
periencc has taught him many things which
are hard TO communicate IN words, but which
be struggles to convert into facts. Elevated
into supremacy, regal save only in name, he
still preserves the plain simplicity of his for
mer life. Armed with more than regal pow
or, he limits himself within the strict bounds
of necessity. He is not elated by power,
for it 10 not strange to him. At home upon
throne, he cares little for the outward shows
of royalty, except SO far as they involve the
nations honor, or conduce to it's security
Too great to be jealous or vindictive for
himself, he 10 swift and stern in crushing the
enemies Of public tranquility. lie is truly a
terror to evii-doers, praise and protection
| to them that do we'll. He fosters learning,
though himself not learned, and companion
of men TO whom learning is profanity. ''lf
there was n man in England who exceled in
any faculty OF science, the Protector would
find him out, and reward him according to
has merit" The head Of Puritanism, Of .
cause now triumphant, he is so little Of ia
natic, that he tolerates oil sects, SO long as
they m eddie not to disturb the state-he can
tolerate everything but willful wrong doing.
His large and healthy spirit 10 bound by no
party sympsthies-his heart yearns toward
all good men Of whatever name. At an era
when federation is still looked upon rs fool
ish in politics and criminal in religion, he
stands out in glorious prominence Us the
earnest advocate Of the rights OF conscience,
and proclaims oil men answerable to God
alone for heir faith. Popery and Prelacy
be proscribos, on grounds political rather
| than religious; TO the adherents Of both be
shows private license; under his rule men no
far do his thoughts reach beyond his age,
that he desires, and earnestly attempts, to
extend the rights Of citizenship to the out
cast and prosecuted Jews. Himself the great
est--''the most English Of Englishmen" he
is determined that England shall be the great
est of states. lie encourages trade, he plants
colonies, he makes wise peace with whom Le
will, or wages just and successful war. All
Europe trembles at his voice, and the Gag Of
England now and henceforth waive trium-
plant oye- every sea. In fine, considering
the comparative position Of Britain in the
times that preceded and followed him, the
circumstances Of his life, and the difficulties
with which he had to contend, making oil al
lowance for his errors and failings, he 10 a
man for all ages to admire, for all Britons to
honor in proud and loving remembrance.
No royal name, at least since Alfred's j,
more worthy OF our yeneration, than that Of
the "usurper," Oliver Cromwell.