Morris tribune., 1882-10-19
A HISTORICAL PARALLEL.
The Memorable Trial of Thomas Harrison
Two Hundred Years AGO.

The Memorable Trial of Thomas Harrison
Two Hundred Years Ago.
From the New York Graphic.
On the ID of December the cross-exam-
nation of Guiteau by Judge Porter was fin
ished. Near its close the prisoner said ex-
citedly:
Il take my chance before this court and
jury on the fact that the Deity inspired the
act. am not a fool, and the Deity never
employed fool to do his work. lie put
it into my brain and heart, and left me to
work it out in my own way.
And you did?" asked Judge Porter.
Under the sanction of the Deity. The
pressure on me commenced about six weeks
before the shooting. l was predestined
man from the foundation of the world to
do this act, and l had to do it.
Said Judge Porter towards the close:
And from that hour (when the shooting
occurreO to this you have never felt re-
greet or remorse?"
Il regret giving pain or trouble to any
one, but have no doubt as to the neces-
sity of the act. OF course, feel remorse
so far as my personal feelings are concerned;
feel remorse as much as any man, and l
regret the necessity of the act, but my duty
to the Lord and to the American people
overcame my personal feelings. If the
Lord had not inspired that act it would not
have been done"
These sentiments, revolving to every one,
whether Christian or not, were listened to
without interruption by court or counsel or
spectators.
Very different was he reception which
remarks of q somewhat similar character,
though uttered by a different man under
different circumstances. met with nearly
two and half centuries ago. On October
IL, 1860, Thomas Harrison, who had been
& major general ia the parliament army dur
ing the English civil war, gallant soldier
and oigoted. fnatical republican and fifth
monarchy man, was brought to trial on a
charge of high treason, the Indictment al
leging that he was a member of the high
court of Justice which tried and sentenced
King Char es, and had signed and sealed
the warrant for his execution. 1t may not
be uninterestlng to state that his trial con-
sumed just one day. The judges met at
seven o'clock in the morning, and before
adjournment the jury had returned YER
dict and the prisoner had been sentenced.
Courts met then at early hours, had long
sessions and kept up with their business
According to the then practice, the prison.
er had no counsel, except only that if he de-
sired any matter of law argued for him he
could state it to the court, and if the Judge
thought it was really a matter of law which
required argument counsel could be as
signed him. Ali the examining of the wit
neSses on his behalf, and all the talking,
in short, were done by the defendant when
he was allowed to do any.
The court by which he was tried was
large and formidable one. 1t embraced
the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Baron
and six justices, including Mallett, Hide
and Twisden, the Dukes of Somerset and
Albemarle, the Earls of Dorset, Berkshire
and Sandwish, and several other prominent
individuals. After a jury had been secured
the solicitor general made his opening, and
then the examination of witnesses began.
Of these there were but half a dozen who
swore to the prisoners sitting as member
of the high court which tried and sentenced
the king. The two warrants-one for the
trial and the other for the execution of his
majesty-were read, and one of the counsel
for the crown closed the case. At the con
clusion of his remarks the spectators
hummed. This humorous approval was dis
tasteful to the dignity Of the court, and the
Lord Chief Baron Observed
Gentlemen, this hummine is not al all
becoming the gravity of the court. Let
there be free speaking by the prisoner and
counsel. 1t is more fitting fora stage play
than court of Justice
In that court the offenSa 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:
I'll he matter that hath been offered to
you (the execution of the king) as it was
touched. was not a thing done in corner.
believe the sound OF it hath been in most
nations. 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
tha thiDCS Uara dnDa in oorpar T