The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-06-17

abolished and that pious man was
leading their country back to the
good old days" of Oliver Cromwell.
The "pious man" was James, Duke
OF Monmouth. He had about as much
piety as a peacock-and almost as
much beauty. To this day it is hard
to decide whether he was more black
guard or arrant coward. Probably an
equal blend Of both.
. Charles II of England died without
direct heir. Thus his younger broth
er mounted the throne as King James
II. Many English people hated and
distrusted King James. Many politi-
clans looked on him as an enemy OF
their pet schemes. A large number
of Englishmen were Puritans who
weN disgusted with the dissipation
and extravaganza of Charles reign
and sighed for the graver, godlier
times Of Cromwell.
Monmouth was the son Of one Lucy
Walters, who claimed to have been
secretly married to Charles H. Mon
mouth declared he was therefore the
rightful heir to the British throne.
He (and the politicians who made use
Of him) said the records OF the mar
riage and Of his birth were hidden
in a mysterious black box" and
would be produced at the proper time.
Charles had publicly denied this story.
But this proved little. For Charles
had had a way of denying anything
he did not want to confess. And he
had lent color to the rumor by his
great affection for young Monmouth.
Now that Charles was dead and
James was on the throne, in 1885,
Monmouth was thrust forward by a
group of shrewd men as Englands
lawful King. His advisers first
worked on the weak Dukes ambitions,
then persuaded the Puritans that he
would bring back the customs Of
Cromwell They induced Monmouth
to raise the flag of rebellion in the
west of England where Puritansm
was strongest. Monmouth proclaimed
himself King at Taunton, and de-
clared James II had poisoned King
Charles to gain the crown.
At once thousands of farmers, peas
ants and shopkeepers focked to the
Dukes standard. They were simple,
honest, God-fearing men who believed
Monmouths promises and hated evil
living. But no noblemen Except
few exiled adventurers, etc. joined
him.
At Sedgemoor, in the early morning
Of July 6, 1855, Monmouth's troops
found themselves close to the Kings
army. The Duke had planned night
attack. But in the darkness his forces
came to water ditch they could not
cross. There, unable to advance, they
were attacked and routed by the royal
soldiery. The peasants and other Pur-
itans fought like heroes and were lit
orally cut to pieces before they would
retreat. But at almost the very be-
ginning Of the battle Monmouth fed in
terror, leaving the helpless followers
to die for a man who was deserting
them. (This was the last battle ever
fought on English soil.) Those not
killed in fight were hunted out and
slaughtered by the soldiery or hanged
by hundreds at Judge Jeffrey's cruel
orders.
Monmouth galloped away, closely
pursued. Later, disguised as a beg
gar, he was caught in a bean field
where he had hidden. In vain he went
down on his knees weeping, entreating
his captors to spare him. He was sent
to London Tower, and was condemned
to death. He offered the King any
thing to spare him, promising to be-
tray his associates, change his reli-
gion-anything! Says Macaulay: He
chung in agonies Of supplication
around the knees of the King" But
james knew no mercy. Then Mon
mouth wrote to the Queen, begging
her to intercede for his life, saying
with better fervor than spelling
81 do abhor the thing that have
done. l detest all those
people who have brought me to this.
am an object Of your pity,
having been cousened and cheated in
to this horrid business.
Your prairs cannot be refused, since
am begging for life only to serve tho
King" =.
Even this whine did not save him.,
though 1t was later reported that he
was smuggled to French prison and
became THE Man in the Iron Mask"
yet Monmouth was really beheaded..
July IL, 1885. Finding he could not
live, he managed to 60 to the scaffold
with some show Of bravery. even ad-
vising the execuuoner how best to
sever his head at one stroke. This
advice made the executioner so nerv-
ous that he bungled the deed.
80 perished the hsndsomest vain
est, most tickle man of his time. 4
man unworthy to rule; unworthy to-
have led bravsr. truer men to thsar
ruin. II