Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-09-16
aRe lieio,ts department.
Rev. J. w. MALCOLM, Editor.
THE MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOL-
OMEW.

testantism, inspire new gratitude for the
progress of civilization and our kindlier
times, and nurture a healthy repugnance
to intolerance and its steadfast advocates. |
While Luther was marching to the Diet
at Worms, 1921, Levevre and Favel be-
gan to preach reform in France. The
truth spread rapidly. Though proscrib-
ed, prosecuted, and martyred, Protestants
multiplied year after year, until, in 1862,
they were believed to be one fourth of
the French population. Catholic hostil
ity, hitherto partially baf1ed, became
more violently pronounced. and reused
to aggression all possible influences and
powers. Francis l. crystallized the RI
sing sentiment in the avowal that he
wished in his kingdom "only one king,
one faith, and one law" There widely
prevailed growing desire for the utter
extirpation of all so-called heterodox,
especially evangelicals. Catholic ora
tors preached it from all their pulpits,
the nuncio and the Duke of Alba had
counselled it for ten years. Plus V. rec
commended it in his letters, and Cathar-
inc, in 1868, and even before, predicted
it to the Italian ambassadors Coligny,
the Protestant leader, warned ofapproach-
ing calamity, was besought to leave Pa
ris. In April, 1872, Alemanni signifed
that the design matured by the queen
mother for reestablishing the unity of
the faith was about to be accomplished.
Michel declares it was premeditated,
and that Salviati, Nuncio of Paris, was
commissioned to communicate the plot
privately to the Pope. In letter he
says: q am convinced it will come to
this-that is, to determination, and well
will it be for their majesties il they do
one tenth of what they have counselled. "
The king. writing to his agent at Brus-
sells of providential opportunity of
assuring perpetual quiet to his kingdom,
and of doing something for the good of
Christianity" says: cit probable that
the confagration will extend to the other
cities of France, which, initiating the
example of Paris, will lay hands upon
all Protestants. l have written to the
governors to collect forces to cut to pie
ces those who resist"
ST. Bartholomew is reputed to have
been fayed alive, and knife is his SYM
Dol. The annual festival in his honor
was deemed fit time to inaugurate HUI
guenot determination. The people, de-
lirious from excitement and revelry,
would be ripe for riot. Admiral Colig-
ny, first among the Reformed, was also
first soldier and citizen of France. His
influence on the Crown now deemed in
tolerably prejudicial an d obstructive
cowardly precaution required his de
struction. At midnight, August Esd, hi
was wounded in the street by an ASSASSIN
hired by Catharine de Medicis. The ir
resolute Charles *, less determined ant
ferocious than his mother and her bruta
allies, called on Coligny, and expressed
sympathy and regrets. The Admira
called him to his bedside, and frankl
warned him against his evil councillors
especially his mother. Interrogated b
Catherine, the king refused to expos
Coligny's counsels. At length, overcom
by her malignant persistence, he fell int
rage and revealed everything. Ths
unnatural mother then portrayed to he
wavering and relenting son the perils
hesitation. Standing upon her feet, 81
besought him to give Coligny and IL
Protestants no quarter. She piled a
her arts, repeated every calumny, rallie
his self love, and reused his anger
Calling to her aid her most astute al
wiley accomplices, they assured the your
king they we're already exposed to We
geance, too far committed to retire. tn
all Paris would be in arms in spite
royal DEGREES and that it was a goC
occasion to please the Pope and all t
Catholics Overcome rather than co
WINGED, Charles at length signed the d
cree, crying out in equal wrath and We
atom ION, then, since the die is cas-
but let none remain to call for vengeanc
The waning sun of August "A, 1877
fled before the preparing tragedy, a
the deepening darkness brought on t
supreme hour. At noon of night,
queen-mother and her guilty son shu
dered with dread in the royal palace.
A pistol shot without filled the we
young monarch with remorse, and
ordered the arrest of the falling stroll
1t was too late. The ''royal tigress"
his side, anticipating his irresoluti
had commenced the signal, and, VIII
they spoke, the bell of St. Germi
PAuxarois heavily tolled the doom
the Protestants. The cloudless, sta
serenity of an August heaven never, ?
haps, looked down on SO despicably d
an antithesis as then unveiled in
ment. Forth flew the full furies.
first and fercest assassin rushed i
Coligny's chamber, and, stabbing
dead, flung him on the pavement bel
Here they cut off his head for the FL,