New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-09


not placed upon the rack, nor even threatened with
u He vas kent in a mean room, miserabiy fur
nshed. though tolerably spacious, and was allowed
the services of his faithful domestic John Franken.
sentinel paced day and night In the narrow corri-
dor before the door "As Spring advanced the notes
of the nightingale came through the prison window
from the neighboring thicket. One day John
Frankep. opening the window that his master might
the better enjoy its song exchanged greeting with
fouow.servant in the Barneveld mansion who hap
pened to be crossing the courtyard Instantly work
men were sent to close and barricade the windows,
and it was only after earnest remon'trahces and
pledges that this resolve to consisn the Advocate to
darkness was abandoned
During his trial, Barneveld was not permitted the
helm of LAWYER, clerk, or man OF business. Alone
and from his chamber OF bondage suffering from
bodily nrmities and from the weakness OF advanced
age. he was compelled to prepare his defense. His
on,v library and chronicle lay in his brain. From
day 70 day he was led down through the narrow
torret stairs to wide chamber on the floor below
his prison. where temporary tribunal had been
arranged for the special commission. The judges at
frat were inclined to treat him criminal, and to
require him to stand he answered their interrog-
atorics but ~ the terrible old man advanced
into the room, leaning on his staii' ana surveying
them with the air of naughty command haDltual to
him. they shrank before his glance several involun-
tarilv rising uncovered to salute him. and making
way for him to the fireplace about which many were
standing that wntry morning"
Tho commission consisted of twenty-four judges,
twelve from Holland and two from each OF the other
six provinces. 1t was packed trlbunah several OF
them were personal enemies of Barneveld Many Of
them were totally ignorant of law. Some OF them
knew not q word Of any language but Their own,
although much of the law was written IN Latin.
There was no bill of indictment, no arrangement, no
counsel. There no witnesses ana no arguments.
Barneveld was served with no articles OF impeach-
ment. He was forbidden the use OF pen and INK or
anv writing materials. His papers aud books were
all taken from him. He was allowed TO consult
neither with an advocate nor even with single
friend. His defense was necessarily fragmentary
and irregular in form. But he seemed
rather like q sage expounding law and history
to O class of pupils than q criminal defend
inp himself before bench of commissioners.
"Moyed occasionally from his austere simplicity, the
majestic old man rose to q strain OF indignant elO
ouence which might have shaken the hall of o vast
assembly and found echo in the hearts OF thou
sand hearers as he denounced their petty insults OF
ignoble insinuations; glazing like Gagged lion at
his tormentors, who had often shrunk before him
when free, and now attempted to drown his voice
by contradictions, interruptions, threats, and I'M
meaning bowls"
On the nth of Nav he was informed that the sem
tence was ready and would soon be pronounced.
The execution was to take place as soon as 1T had
been read to the prisoner. The next day he was
visited by the government officers who announced
to him that he must appear before the judges In the
morning and hear his sentence OF death. " The SEN
tence of death ~ he exclaimed, without in the least
changing his position; the sentence of death! the
sentence of death !" saying the words over three,
with an air OF astOnishment rather than OF horror.
81 never expected that! thought they were 60
ing to hear my defense again. | had intended to
make some change in my previous statements, hay-
ing set some things down when beside myself with
choer'
On the morning of the 18th. he proceeded to enter
the Judges chamber as usual but was Informed that
the sentence would be read in the great hall OF
judicature.
In the center of the vast hall-once the banquetng
enam9er Of those pet o M s g y es
with the sounds of Inrth and rcvelry-was a great
table at which the twenty.onr judges and the three
gowns of Office. The room lined with soldiers and
crowded with dark surging mass of spectators, VINO
had been waiting there all night.
A chair was placed for the prisoner He sat down,
and the clerk Of the commission on; f''s Nv ne Prs
long r1mbiing and tirrsome paper has been already
il tedious 10 listen TO his own death sentence great
statesman might have been IN that condition as be us
During tho reading Of the sentence the Advocate
moved uneasiy his seat and seemed about TO inter
rupt the clerk at several passages which seemed to him
especialy preposorous But he controlled himself by
strong effort and the clerk went steadily Oh 10 the con-
cluslOn.
:" The Judges have put down many things which they
have no night TO- draw from my Confession Leu thls
protest be added"
{" thought toO," he continued, that my Lords the
Sates-Gcneral would have had enough In my life and
blood, and that my wife and children might keep what
belongs them IL this recompensc Tor iortythree
years service 10 these Provinces T.
President de Voogd
Your sentence has been pronounced he said
winch one of the great windows at the southeastern
front OF the ha had been converted.
without another word the old man rose from his chair
and strobe, leaning his staff, across the hail.
panied by his faithful valet ana the provost and escorted
by a file Of soldiers. The mob OF spectators flowed out
after him at door into the Inner courtyard front
OF the ancient palace,
The execution Of Barneveld took place when he
was within five months Of the completion of his
seventy second year. He met his fate with the same
firmness that had marked his conduct during the
trial. The whole of his property was conGscated TO
the State, and his proud and prosperous family were
cast into beggary. Such foul example Of judicial
murder has rarely disgTaced the annals Of religious
controversy. 1t is sign Of the progress of the age
that such event could not take place at the pres
emf day. But the spirit which prompted it Is not
yet extinct. The of calumny, of inyectiye. of
falsehood in the defense OF religious opinions of
the same quality with the custom which consigned
the enemies of the Church TO the secular arm for
punishment. In describing the influence of religious
zeal when converted into engine of party, instead
of an instrument of charity, Mr. Motley makes no
secret of his profound aversion TO its exercise His
work is constant rebuhe to the spirit of bigotry.
He cannot look upon the terrible scenes which lie
portrays, as a codbOoded spectator, but denoupces
their authors with vehement and impassioned elo