Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-03

always desired to lay before the public
"a History of the Thirty Years War.
These volumes contain a slight and
rapid sketch of Barneveld's career up
to the point at which the Twelve Years
Truce with Spain was signed, in 1909.
In the previous works the author has
assigned the great Advocates place
as part and parcel of history during the
continuance OF the war for independ-
ence. During the period of the truce
he will be found the central figure.
The history of Europe, especially of the
Netherlands, Great Britain, France
and Germany, cannot be thoroughly
appreciated without a knowledge of
the designs, the labors and the fate of
Barneveld.
Mr.. Motley has had access to the
musty archives of the Hague, great
masses of State papers, letters and
other documents, imprinted and rarely
read. It was no light labor to decipher
and translate the iliegible photographs
of the Advocate.
The documents connected with the
famous trial were for long time hid
den from mortal view, for Barneveld's
judges had bound themselves by oath
to bury the proceedings out of sight.
and the concealment lasted for centu-
ries.
Dealings with the theological contIo-
versies of the Remonstrants and the
contra Remonstrants have been as
much as possible avoided by Mr.. Mot
ley. He aims to make his work a
political study. The subject is full of
lessons, examples and warnings for
the inhabitants of all free States.
Especially, now that the Republican
system Of government is undergoing
series of experiments with more or less
success IN one hemisphere, while in
our own land it is consolidated, power
full, and unchallenged. viii the conflicts
between the spirits of national central
ization and of provincial sovereignty,
and the struggle between the church,
the sword and the magistracy for
supremacy in a free commonwealth, as
revealed in the first considerable re-
public of modern history, be found
suggestive of deep reflection.
At this period there were many bust
ling politicians, but not many states
men. Among them there was no
stronger man than John of BaIneveld.
He was born IN l547, of an ancient and
knightly house. His studies in the uni
versities Of Holland, France, Italy and
Germany were profound, and at an
early age he was one Of the first civil
ians of the time He was called to fill
the first offices in the gift of the Re-
public, when the province of Holland
was richer and more powerful than all
its six sisters combined. The advocate
and keeper Of the great seal of the
province was therefore virtually prime
minister, president, attorney general,
finance minister and minister of foreign
affairs of the whole republic. This
was Barneveld's position. He was
proud and happy to be among the
most trusted and assiduous cOunsellors
Of William the Silent. Maurice, a Lad
of sixteen at the time of his father
assassination, was too young to receive
the sovereign countship. The States
General, whom Henry the ". called
'his courage and his right arm, y
established a state council for the
provinces, and placed at its head young
Maurice. His device was fallen oak
with a young sapling springing from it;
his motto, The twig shall yet become
a tree"
For the next thirty-tive years, the
lives of Maurice and Barneveld are in
separately interviewer in the great his
torical tapestry of the republic, and
they knew they must work together,
with strong arm and subtle brain,
against their foes. Maurice grew rap
idly in power and popularity. The
Princess Dowager, Louise de Coligny,
widow of William, sounded the Advo-
cate cautiously and secretly as to the
possibility of procuring the sover-
eighty for Maurice He proved to her
that in seeking the sovereignty Mau.
rice was seeking his ruin. Maurice
hated him IN his heart from that day
forth.
At this time there was but one king
in Europe, Henry the Bearrese-tbC
great Balafre. The men who sat on
the thrones in Madrid, Vienna and
London would have lived and died I'M
known but for the crowns they wore
The relations of Henry ". with tn,
Dutch Republic were of European i'm
portance. He was appealed to Ey al
parties to settle the disputes concern
ing the Duchics Of Cleve and Berg
The estates were to be kept out o
Catholic hands by one heir, and out o
hereto hands by the other. Henri.
meant to support the possessory prince
and Professionalism, and made immens
preparations for.wdr.
Another element Of disturbance dark
ened Henry's horizon. The fantasti
! idyl of the Princess of Condo, Mar
guerite de Montrorency, whimsical.
surrounds the whole gigantic fabric o
Henry's warlike movements. Thi
nymph. daughter of the Constable o
France, was fifteen years of age an,
Henry was fifty-fve. His infatuatiol
for her was the reigning scandal Of tn
Court. Her husband fled with her Z
| PruSsaIS Henry WAS going to tn