Morris tribune., 1882-10-19

becoming the gravity of the court Let
there be free speaking by the prisoner and
counsel. 1t is more fitting for a stage play
than court of justice.
In that court the offenSe was not repeat
ed. Then the prisoner followed with what
he had to say, opening with words which
had no sound of apology in them:
The matter that hath been offered to
you (the execution of the king, as it was
touched, was not thing done IL a corner.
believe the sound OF it hath been in most
nations. l believe the hearts of some hath
felt the terrors of that presence of God that
was with his servants in those days (howev-
er it seemeth good to Him to suffer this
turn to come on us), and are witnesses that
the things were not done in corner. I
have desired, as in the sight of Him that
searcheIh all hearts, whilst this hath been
done, to wait and receive from Him con-
victions upon my own conscience, though
have sought it with tears many time and
prayers o7er and over to that God whom
you and all nations are less than drop of
water of the bucket, and to this moment l
have received rather assurance of it, and
that the things that have been done as as
tonishing on one hand-I do believe ere it
be long it will be made known from
Heaven. there was more from God than
men are aware of. Those COMMISSIONS
meaning the commissions issued to those
who sat as members of the High Courts of
Justice that tried the king-"were issued
forth by parliament, and what was done
was done by their power. And, whereas,
it hath been said we did assume and usurp
an authority, say this was done rather in
the fear of the Lord"
This, In the light of to -day, is not such
very horrible language-net as bad pos
sibly as Guiteau's-but in the case the
Court broke out:
"Away with him! Know where you are,
sir; you are in the presence of christians.
Win you make God the author Of your trea-
sons and murders? Take heed where you
are. Christians must not hear this. We
will allow you to say for your own defence
what You cln, and we have with great deal
of patience suffered you daily to rally out.
wherein you have not one about SO much
for excavation of your crimes as to justify
them, 10 fall upon others and to blaspheme
God and commit a new treason"
Lord Finch-though my Lords hore have
been pleased t, give YOU a great lltitude,
this must not be suffered, that you should
run into these damnable expressions, to
make God the author of this damnable
treason committed.
Harrison continued stating that he had
two things to offer for his defence in mat
ter of law. One was that what was done by
the commons of England assembled in par
lament, and that being SO was not ques-
t1onable by the court, as its power was in
| ferior to high court of parliament. The
| second was that no o. was to be questioned
| for what he did in obedience to that power
| and authority; otherwise he was In most
miserable condition. Upon these two
points the prisoner asked that those learned
in the laws might speak on his behalf.
The court, however, refused to allow him
any counsel on these points. Said the so
icitor- general:
These two points are but one, and the,
| are q new treason at the bar for which
he deserves to die il there were no othe
| Indictment 1t is the malice of his heart tt
the dignity and crown of England. I say
| this is not matter for which counsel car
be assigned"
| Said Mr.. Hollis: sYou do very vel
| know this that you did this horrid
! detestaale act which you committed, coult
never be perfected by you till YOU hat
broken the parliament. Do not make the
parliament to be the author Of your black
crimes. You know that no act of parlia.
ment is binding but what is acted Kings
Lords and Commons. And now as yol
would make God the author of your offence
SO likewise you would make the peopl
guilty OF your opinion; but your plea is ov
erruled"
TO which the court assented.
I am sorry" said Justice Hide, .thatany
man should have the face and boldness t.
deliver such words as you have. Tha
which you speak as to the jurisdiction, yol
are here indicted for high treason, for vol
to come to talk of justification Of this b,