Arizona republican., 1914-08-08
J a1ze D Great Trials
 %
 History.
Trial of Richard Baxter

the religious men of the middle ages ones mind turns to the thought Would the men of today face such men like John Bunyan and others who died for their faith?" One of the most striking examples of this class was Richard Baxter. |.
 In 1641, at the age of 26, Baxter was elected to become the minister of Kiddermunster. which duty he fulfilled for nineteen years, until the civil war in England After the battle of Naseby he took the situa- ton of chaplain to Colonel Whalleys regiment. Now, as in all times, his conduct did more credit to his con- scientiousness than to his wisdom When he retired to Acton in Middle sex for quiet study, he was arrested for holding a meeting of people that belonged to neither one church or the other. He was dragged off to prison, but secured a habeas corpus writ in the court of common pleas.
 The king then gave an issue that all the licenses that had been grant ed in 1672 should be recalled and later for preaching in London streets Baxter was again arrested. In pris- on he fell so sick that it was thought he would die, but notwithstanding he was carried three times to the sessions house being unable to stand and without any apparent cause was made to enter into a bond of 5000 in security for his good behavior.
 The sufferings of Baxter during the last few years of his life were almost unparalleled. There was nothing in his conduct to justify the issuing of a warrant for his arrest, in which his crime was described as "seditious and scandalous." Baxter. fearing the confinement of a prison, went into the country. His counsel moved, on the 18th of May, 1885, for delay on account of his health. Fo.- tunately for English justice there are few records of trials like Baxter's.
 This trial of Baxter began on May 30, Sir Henry Ashurst, a faithful friend through life, stood by the prisoner. He had engaged the cele- brated Pollexfen to defend him, and the wrath of the chief justice burst forth when the counsel desirous of defending some of Baxter's interpre- tations, made reference to MT. Hammond
 "Pollexfen,' said Chief Justice Jeff ries, T know you well; I will set a mark upon you; you are the patron of the faction. This is the old rogue who is poisoning the world with his klddermunster doctrine an old schsmatical knave, a hypocritical villain"
 T beseech your lordship," said Pollexfen, suffer me a word for my client It is well known to all intel ligent men of this nation that these things do not apply to the character of MT. Baxter. who wishes as well to the king and the royal family as any one in the kingdom, and my Lord, Mr Baxters loyal and peace able spirit, King Charles would have rewarded with a bishopric when he came in if he would have con- formed"
 Aye. aye." said the judge, Eve
 know that; but what ailed the old blockhead, the unthankful villain, that he would not conform? Was he wiser and better than other men?''
 In vain it was urged by another counsel that Baxter used no lan- guage but that of respect in speaking of English bishops
 Baxter attempted to speak in his own behalf. but violent outbreak of abuse silenced him. Many of the bystanders were in tears, and this miserable scene of beating and injustice at last came to an end. Does your Lordship,' said Baxter, think that any jury would pretend to pass a verdict upon me after such trial"
 'Tll warn you, MT. Baxter" said Jeffries. don't you trouble yourself about that"
 The jurors chosen by the parti- san sheriffs from strong opponents of the prisoner, went through the farce of deliberation for a minute or two, and returned Baxter guilty. There were clergymen ready to tes- tify as to his merits as a divine and the lover of peace, but they were not allowed to be heard. When the yer dict was rendered the chief justice was unmoved and it is believed that he had actually proposed to his brethren that the man should be whipped through the streets at a carts tail. The scandal, however Of such q sentence was prevented by the three judges who sat with Jeff ries on the bench.
 Tomorrow: Trial of tho Gowrie Conspirators.