The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1881-10-01
ASSASSINS IN HISTORY.
From the Philadelphia Times.

Assassination, though the most hideous of
crimes, seems to have held its place through all
the generations of men with whom history deals.
The sacred episodes are lurid with the slaughter
of rulers and patriarchs. Nor is it less curious
that in literature the highest order of intellect
the most moving dramas and the most striking
poems have made regicide, by private or public
hands. the motive of the sublmest expression of
human intellect. Assassination has always been
the rule in Oriental countries. In the most of
chronicle and legend making up the history of Per-
sia, Arabia, and China, it is almost impossible to
read page unsoiled by the records off ruler muir
dered There is one assassination which has for
eight centuries survived the obliterating effects
of passion and time-the murder of Thomas
a Beckett 1t was preceded by a fierce strife for
mastery on the part of the King, Henry II, and
the resolute and warlike Bishop of Canterbury
The quarrel was curious and scandalous one
In his youth Beckett had been the hale companion
of the King. They had wassailed together in
many a fierce bout, but so soon as he was created
Archbishop of Canterbury -primate of England
the warrior and courtier changed into the church
man. In those days the clergy held themselves
equal, if not superior, to King and State 1t was
III Il1lS GudIIe1 VI DeCkeU was
driven from his diocese into exile, and finally
on his return, became the martyr of many genera
tons of churchmen. The King had long felt the
presence Of the Archbishop irksome. The COM
mon people adored the Bishop, and detested the
Kings policy. But more than this the intrepid
prelate held suspended over the Kings head the
awful threat of communication, which par
alyzed his forces and made him an object of horror
to his own people
A council of the barons was called and Henry
found them willing enough to advise him as he
wished. 1.-THE only way to deal with such a fell
low" said one, lis to plat few withes in rope
and have him up to gallows.' In the midst of
the council, however, it was observed that four
Of the Kings knights were missing-Reginald
Fitzurse, William Tracy, Hugh Morville, and
William Brito. 1t was remembered that they
had heard the Kings words about the insolent
priest, and becoming alarmed for the conse-
quences, Henry sent off the Earl of Vaudeville
and some others with orders to overtake them
and arrest the Archbishop. In the meantime
Beckett had been keeping Christmas and preach
ing his last sermon On the text, Peace on earth
and good will to men,"
He received the Kings emissaries with his
clergy about him, and they began to threaten
him in the name of the King and order him to
leave the kingdom He must fully have under
stood the meaning of all this; but he stood firm
and quietly answered all their railing. They
then told him his doings should recoil on his own
head and on his replying that he was ready to
suffer martyrd0m, they noisily left the room,
Fitzurse shouting out, Ho! clerks and monks,
in the Kings name, seize that man and hold him
till justice is done"
"You will find me here" answered Beckett.
standing by the door.
The knights had gone back to arm themselves
and join their retainers. In the meantime the
terrified clergy fastened all the doors of the
monastery and besought the Archbishop to take
shelter in the church; but he seemed the only
person present who had no fear, and replied that
he would not flee; he would remain where he
was. At last he was persuaded to come into
church, as it the hour for vespers, and set off,
with the cross borne before him.
"My lord, my lord! they are arming!" cried
one frightened monk and another brought word
that they were upon them, Robert de Broc hav-
ing shown them the way through the orchard.
Still Beckett was calm, and as the monks tried to
drag him into the church he stood at the door
saying: "Go on with the holy service As long
as you are afraid of death will not enter"
They proceeded and he advanced up the aisle.
AS he was going up the steps to the altar there
was a rush of monks into the church, for Regi-
maid Fitzurse, with drawn sword, had Just come
through the cloister door, the other murderers
following. Beckett turned on seeing the monks
trying to bolt and bar the church doors. 1T is
not right" said he, to make fortress out of the
house of prayer. 1t can protect its own, even if
its doors open. We shall conquer our enemies
by suffering, not by fighting
The vespers ceased; the clergy threw them
selves on the affairs for protection; the Arch
bishop stood alone with one canon, with Fitz-
stephen and Edward Grim, priest who had
come to visit him. In rushed the band of armed
men, crying OUT "Where is the traitor, Thomas
Beckett" To this he made no answer; but when
the cry was: "Where is the Archbishop" he
traitor, but a priest of the Lord. What would
you Of me?"
"Absolve those you have communicated"
"They have not repented and will not.'
"Then you shall die"
~ am ready, for the Lords sake, but in the
name of Almighty God l forbid you to harm
these, whether priests or laymen"
"Flee or you are dead man. cried one, stril-
inc him with the back of his sword and unwill-
ing apparently, to Stay him in the church. They
,,,,Cb him, a,rav from, the pillar aCoinc+