New-York tribune., 1879-12-30

their political action was presented in its true light
as an effort to overthrow the ntolerabe usurpation
of the Guises. The tyrants were no match for the
patriots IN the use of the pen. but it Jared Ill with
the writer's, when their secret was discovered. AT
this crisis an illustrious statesman appears upon
the stage in the person Of Chancellor dc / hopita
His connection with Lorraine at first augured little
good Of his influence. But in few years, he gave
ample proof of the integrity of his character aL's
the sagacity of his plans. He accepted the highest
judicial post In the kingdom at n critical juncture
not through the STRINGS Of ambition. but from a
sincere desire to serve hs country. Chancellor de
2 Hapital was person Of distinguished presence
His august bearing produced deep impression
His calm and dignihed countenance bore STR KING
resemblance TO the features of ali ancient 'GreeK
philosopher. Another eminent parsonage Adn''rh
de Ccligny, whose name occupies large space III
these volumes. now begins 10 be seen III conspic-
uons light. He had cspoused the cause OF the irol-
estants few years before, and soon became prom'
uent for his boldness and zeal in its support. AT
the suggestion of Lfi6pi.al and COligny council
OF noiables was convened in Fontainebleau Tor the
purpose of dovisng measures TO aiiay 'no
existing excitement Tho Monarch anu
selection from the most powerful mobiles and clergy
of France were assembled in the spacious apart
ments Of the Queen Mother. The session opened
objects of the convocation. He was followed by
the Chancellor dc FH6pita. who was less concise IN
his statements insisting that the disease oi the
State Was not incurable if only the cause could be
detected Al subsequent session. Admiral de Co
licry said that lie had recently visited Normandy
in pursuance of the royal command, 10 ascertain
the origin Of the connections. He had discovered
no feelings of in-will toward the crown. The eX-
citement was entirely due TO the illega. violence
with which the people had been treated for the sake
of religion He asked permission 10 present the pc
ttions of the prosecuted, VINO offered to prove that
their doctrines were in accordance with the teach-
ugs of Scripture and the traditions OF the primitive
church. The King gave bIs assurance to Coligny that
lac took his action in good part aud that MS pre-
yious fidelity was sufficient pledge of his present
zeal. The petitions purported to come from THE
faithful Christians scattered in various parts OF the
kingdom" They set forth the severity of the perse
cutions to which the Huguenots were subjected;
they begged for an intermssion of the cruel meas
ures which had deuged France with blood; and pro-
feSsed a loyal allegiance to the King whom God had
called to the throne. This was perilous step on
the part of Colgny. His defence of toleration made
him liable to the extreme penalties which had been
inflicted on Others for much less courageous utter
ances. The very bOldness of the movement secured
his safety, when more tlmid councils would
perhars have proved his ruin. Yet the audi
be murmurs of the opposite party announced
their ul-win. The fearlessness of the Admiral kim
died the courage of the others TO brighter flame
1t is singular fact that the most ardent advocates
of federation and reform were found on the episco-
pal bench. 1.-TWO of the lay-bishops. Moultuc ard
Marealtac, spoke at length infavOr of the IIugue-
nots. A startling contrast was drawn between the
means that had been taken TO propagate the new
doctrines and those which had been employee fOT
their suppression. For thirty years, it was said
more than three hundred ministers OF the purest
and noblest character had been attracting disciples
"by the sweet name of Jesus continually upon
their lips, and had easily gained over people that
we're as sheep without q shepherd" Meanwhile
popes had been engTossed IN war; ministers OF
Justice had made OF the royal epactlnents
against heresy to enrich their own purses and
bishops instead of showing s0iicitude for their
fiocks had sought only to preserve their revenues
Forty bishops might be seen at once indulging in
scandalous exccsses in Paris while the fire was kim
ding in their dioceses. The ecclesiastical Offices
hecane contemplate when pre- lates conferred Dene-
fees ON their barbers cooks, and footmen. IL was
urged that the Gospel should be published and ex-
pounded; elat there should be daily sermons II the
palace that the singing OF psalms should take the
place OF the foolish songs sung by the maids of the
Queen; and that no punishment should be inflicted
Cor heretica beliefs when not accompanied by act.
of sedition The speeches of the bishops made a
profound impression, and the effect was deepened
by the earnest eoquence of Coligny. whose turn 1t
was to address the Council on the next day. He
would plo,ige his life and whatever he held NEST
dear that the hatred OF the people was not directed
apsins, the King, but his Ministers, who had sur
rounded him with guard as if he needed protec-
tion against his loyal subjects. lie contended that
of tha Hu0 xrhi ha hqd prp-
sented should he granted; th0s they should be al
lowed TO assemble for the worship Of God the preach
ing of the Gospel and the celebration of the sacra-
ments The Guises spoke the same day in reply to
Coigny The Duke passionate in his rejOinder,
and paid little heed to the questions proposed for
deliberation. The Cardinal WAS more polite. and
gave no sign of the deadly hatred which from that
time both brothers cherished against ColigDy.
The sudden death of Francis H., the end
of the same year (1560), put stop to tue execu-
ton of a widespread plan for the complete ex-
termination of the HugueDots Had he lived
but a week longer, their ruin might perhaps
have been consummated. But the political power
was transferred at a single stroke. from the hands
Of Francis and Charles of Lorraine to those Of
Catharine de- Medici and the King of Navarro. The
Protestants of Paris recognized in the event direct
answer to their prayers. Never was there better
opportunity Tor u prince Oh the biood 10 Commune
his own claims with the cause OF justice than now
fell to the hot of Antoine of Navarro. The sceptre
had passed from the hands of youth of uncertain
majority to those OF Il boy who was incontestably
minor Charles, the second of Henry H.. who
now succeeded his elder brother, only ten years
of age. The regency unquestionably belonged to An
tome as the first prince of the blood Every senti-
ment Of selfrespect dictated that he should assume
the high rank to which he was entitled by his birth
and that he should protect tae Huguenots who
looked up 20 him as their natural defender. But he
WAS persuaded TO cede his regency to that willy in
tr,guer the Queen Mother. Catharne de- Mcdici.