Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-03-12
THE EVENING STAR
THE GREAT TOPIC,

As me great Impeachment trial will then
have fairly commenced, all eyes will naturally
be tHrned toward the Capitol tomorrow. What
the final issue will be, it were idle to now at
tempt TO foreteii. Opinions differ widely on
this point, of course; bat so far as our observa-
ton extends among these best qualified TO judge
dFspassienately, the weight Of opinion seems 10
be that the articles presented by the House, or
some Of them at least will be sustained by the
Senate. But however this may be, public at
tenron will be engrossed by the subject until
il Is disposed OF, and the verdict. whatever it
may be, will, we have no doubt, be cheerfully
acquiesced in and sustained by the people at
large, who are only an xious that the trial shall
be fairly conducted, and hopeful that its terlni.
nation will bring peace.
Considering the extent to which the subject
has engaged and will continue to attract the
public attention, all matters tending to throw
light upon ii, and particularly In regard to the
circumstances and details of other like trials,
will have interest for the general reader. In
this view of the case. we venture to reproduce
some of the incidents connected with the one
which must always be regarded as the great
historical precedent-tha of Warren Hastings
as sketched by Macaulay, even at the risk of
wearylng those who have lately refreshed their
recollection by a denomination Of the whole
case.
That wonderful man, 1t will be remembered
returned to England in l7s5, after a career in
India as strangely interesting and brilliantly
successful as anything presented by romance
Commencing in an obscure position in .he ser.
vice of the East India Company, and reaching
the high position of Governor General of that
populous and wealthy country, bending eyery
thing to his own will, and pausing at nothing
necessary to carry out his purposes, ii is not to
be wondered that his record furnished flaws
for his enemies, Of which he had many, com.
bining in a remarkable degree bitterness, per.
sistency and ability, nor, indeed, that he should
have committed grave and inexcusable ex.
cesses.
Within a week after he landed at Plvm outh.
Burke gave notice in the House Of Commons
of a motion seriously affecting a gentleman
lately returned from India" The session was
too far advanced to enter upon the subject
then; and so secure did Hastings feel in the ia.
yor OF the Government and the East India
Company, that he seemed 10 have no
fear OF the result, even if the matter
Were brought to trial, which some OF his friends
doubted. Indeed, it might have been forgotten
or indefinitely postponed, but for his own in
judicious conduct and that of his champion in
Parliament, Major Scott, who, early in the fol-
lowing session, called up the subject. THIS
challenge compelled the opposition to come
forward as accusers, or TO acknowledge them
selves calumniators. They chose the former
course, and Burke commenced the preparation
OF his case, with such energy and ability as only
he possessed. After considerable delay, the
preliminary steps having been taken mean.
pine, the prosecution brought forward the
charge of the mercenary use of British troops,
by Hastings, for the subjugation of one of the
Indian provinces in the interest of a neighbor-
ing chief. From that he was absolved, by a
vote of 119 against g. His friends were now
confident of victory; but in a few days Mr. Fox
brought forward, with great ability and elo-
quence. the charge Of maltreating Cheyte Sing.
another native Chief whom Hastings had ar
rests d and heavily fined. Hastings old enemy
Sir Philip FraHcis, followed on the same side.
and he, in turn, was followed by Pitt who was
regarded as Hastings friend. Pitts speech in
general terms, favored the late Governor Cen
erals course in the matter in inquiry, but be
concluded by saying that though he thought it
right in Hastings TO fine Cheyte Sing for contu-
macy, yet the amount exacted was too great for
the offence, and on this ground he favored Mr.
Fox's motion. The House and the country were
thunderstruck. Various reasons were assigned
for Pitts course, but whatever the cause, 1t had
its influence, and the motion prevailed by vote
of l19 to 20.
In the following year the charge touching
the spolia,ion of the Princesses OF Dude was
brought forward in a master speech by Sheri-
dan. This was carried, after a feeble opposi.
ton by Hastings friends, by a vote Of us to S.
Flushed with victory, and strongly sup.
ported by public opinion, the opposition now
brought forward q succession of charges, re.
lating chiefly TO pecuniary transactions. The
result was that the House agreed to twenty ar.
hcles or charges, and directed Burke to go
before the House OF Lords and impeach the
late Governor General Of high crimes and mis-
demeanors. The illustrious accused was at
the same time arrested by the Sergeant at Arms
and carried to the bar of the Peers The ses-
sion was, however, too near its close to allow
the trial TO begin then, and the prisoner was
released on bail and proceedings postponed
until the next year.
When Parliament met the following season
the Commons proceeded TO elect committee
for managing the impeachment. In regard to
this Macaulay says:
Burke stood al the head, and with him were
associated most of the leading members Of the
opposition. But when the name Of Francis
was read fierce contention arose. II was said
that Francis and Hastings were notoIiously
bad terms, that they had been at feud during
many years. that on one occasion their mutual
aversion had impellsd them TO seek each others
uNte. anu WOulu improper and n
delicate 10 select a private enemy TO be 4 public
accUser 1t was urged on the other side with
great force, particularly by Mr. Wmdham, that
impartialIty, though the first duty of Judge,
had never been reckoned among the QUALITIES
OF an advocate; that in the ordinary admins
uation OF criminal justice among the English,
the aggrieved party, the very last person who
ought 10 be admitted into the jury box, is the
prosecutor; that what was wanted in a mana
ger was, not that he should. be free from bias
but that he should be able, well informed. en-
ergetic and active. The ability and informa-
ton of Francis Were admitted; and the very
with which he was reproached,
whether virtue or vice, was at least a
pledge for his energy and activity. II seems
dlhcult 10 refute these arguments. But the n
veterate enmity borne by Francis to Hastings
had excited general disgust. The House de.
cided that Francis should not be q manager"
Preparations for the trial having proceeded
the sittings Of the Court commenced
ON the 18th Of February, 17ss. The spectacle
presented is thus portrayed by the great his
torian:
The place was worthy Of such a trial. II
was the great hall of William Rufus, the hal
which had resounded with acclamations at the
Inauguration of thirty kings, the hall which
had witnessed the Just sentence OF Bacon and
the just absolution Of Somers. the hall where
the eloquence of Straford had for a moment
rweo and melted a victorious party infiamed
with Jdst resentment, the hall where Charles
the placid courage which has half redeemed his
4: me. Neither military nor civil pomp was
wanting. The avenues were lined with grena.
diprs The were he clear nv