Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-15
A Parallel.

There is in English history page
that presents striking parallel to our
ow IN time. 1t was when that prudent,
wise and brave King, whose equanimity
of temper, described by the historian, al
most surpasses belief, William Of Orange,
was endeavoring to restrain the passions
of Wing Parliament clamorous for the
blood Of the leaders of the Tory party
and the adherents and advisers Of the
dethroned King James during his reign
Not only was the blood of the fallen
party vociferously demanded, but most
determined and well nigh irresistible
grasp was made at their lands, tene
ments and chattels 1t was the fortu-
nate portion of William to teach the
Parliamentary majority moderation and
mercy, and to roll back the torrent of
partisan fury that threatened to engulf
the prominent leaders of the minority
party in Parliament and throughout the
Kingdom, to save one faction from pro-
scription and to ''rescue the other from
the reaction ,chich such prescription
uould ineuitaby hare produced" In
doing this he was compelled to risk his
popularity with men who had been his
warmost admirers, in order to give re-
pose and security to men by whom his
name was not mentioned without
curse. He disappointed the former of
their revenge, his own special partisans
who had raised him to the throne, and
in the hour oftriumph, with patriotism
and virtue worthy of Cato, and human
ity unequaled in past history, he pro-
tected and saved his former foes. That
cool, clear-headed prince, when be as.
cended the throne, reposed on no bed of
roses He was compelled to have at his
council-board ministers of different
views and diametrically opposite afilia-
tions. For though it was the Wings
who had chiefly been instrumental in
bestowing on him the crown, still there
we're many conservative Tories who had
actively assisted in council and in battle,
and to whose invaluable assistance Will
liam owed much. Besides the infuriate
and radical Parliament, eager to hang,
draw and quarter the conquered, he had
a divided cabinet, both sides selfish and
interested, and striving for the mastery
and control of William, who cared not
for party, but looked solely to the good
and welfare of the nation. The honora-
BILE and disinterested conduct of William
the whole of this struggle to
prevent the Parliamentary majority
from wreaking their vengeance on the
minority who had adhered to James, is
beyond all praise and eulogy. From the
very outset of his reign, he advised
conciliation and compromise, used his
influence personally and publicly, and
from the throne again and again address
sed both houses, urging leniency and
violence, and that the past
should be forgiven and forgotten-to
quiet the nation, to give it peace and
was the illustrious rulers
aim. 1t can be truly said that England
never has had monarch of equal wis
dom and virtue.
The Wings in the first Parliament held |
on Williams accession, had not forgot !
ten what they had suffered from their |
opponents in the late reign, and were
now bent on reparation and revenge. |
In all revolutions and political changes
the party that gets into power will per
secute the party that is out. Yours |
was the turn yesterday, mine to-day,
is the cry. In the French revolution the |
Girondns executed the Cordellers, and |
they in turn fell before the Jacobins-
the Gacobins were soon carted TO the |
Place du Greve by order Of the Commit
tee of Public Safety. The victor to-day |
may be the victim tomorrow.
Not content with doing justice to de
ceased patriots by reversing bill Of at
tainder passed by former Parliaments, |
with annulling wicked and infamous |
judgments and making atonement to |
the memory and families of victims of |
party cruelty and popular fury who were
beyond the reach Of human |
power, the Parliament was eager and !
anxious TO inffict punishment on the ad-
mirers Of Charles and James during their |
late reigns Macaulay says Happy
for England at this crisis, prince who /
belonged to neither Of her factions, who
loved neither, who hated neither, and
who, for the accomplishment OF q great
design, wished TO make use Of both, was 4
the moderator between them, for the /
party that had been uppermost was now |
and 'the Sovereign found II
difficult to save the vanquished party
from the fury ofhis triumphant support
ers, and those whom he bad disappointed
Of their revenge murmured bitterly |
against the Government, which had been
so weak and ungratefnl as to protect its
foes from its friends" Early in the ses-
sion William called the attention Of the
Commons 10 the erpediency Of quieting
The public MIND 6y an onResfy," and /
urged upon them bill of general par
don and oblirioa. But they were not
inclined to let the offending Tories Of,
and the usual CRY was raised that public