Norwich bulletin., 1922-01-03
Famous Trials
SIR HENRY yANE.

The fate of Sir Henry Vane the Eng fish statesman has always more or less interested America, for he had in his younger days served as governor of Massachusetts during the Colonial pe- riod At an early age Vane acquired strong Puritan views, inspite of the per sonal efforts of those who made the at tempt. at the kings request, to persuade him otherwise Vane was only 22 when he emigrated to Massachusetts, where he hoped to enjoy the free exercise of his religion. The following year he was elected governor. He was only allowed to serve one year, being defeated by Win throp. ciiaiy on account of the protec- ton he had given a Mrs Hutchinson in the religious controversy which she raised.
 Vane returned to England in August. 1887. was elected to parliament and three years later knighted He was al- ways a firm believer in popular liberty and was summed by every man who courted monarchy.
 Vane fell from the affections of the English people when they forsook the jealous care of their liberties He knew no religion but that of justice. He inter- ceded for the Unitarians when they were rersecuted; he pleaded for the release of Quakers imprisoned for their opinion; he demanded justice on behalf of the Roman Catholics.
 But because he steadily resisted the usurper Cromwell he was arrested and was confined in Carisbrook castle. His chief opposition to Cromwell was the latter's forcfble dissolution of the Long parliament. When Vane pronounced it as against morality and common honesty, Cromwell fell a-railing at him crying out with a loud voice. "Oh. Sir Henry Vane, Sir Henry Vane! The Lord de- liver me from Sir Henry Vane." After he had been imprisoned several conferences were held between the houses of parliament. at which it was agreed that he should be excepted from the in- demnity bill, but that his life should be | spared. On the meeting of the new par l liament of 1861. however, vote was 1 passed demanding his trial on the capital charge and he was taken back to the Tower in April from the Scilly Isles where he had been imprisoned On the 2d of June he appeared before | the kings bench to answer the charge oI 1 high treason, when he made bold an( sknful defense, asserting the sovereign power of parliament in justification of hi, conduct
 Though supposed to be timorous man i Vane appeared before his judges with
 animated fearlessness; he denied the i'm | putation of treason with scorn, defended
 the right Of Englishmen to be governed by successive representatives. and tool | glory to himself for actions which pro
 noted the good ot his country.
 Vane spoke not for his life and estat
 but the honor of the martyrs to libert, who were in their graves, for the libertie | of England, for the interests "of all DOS | terity." He asked for counsel. 'fWho,
 cried the solicitor. twill dare to speak fo
 you unless you can caN down from tn
 gibbet the heads of your fellow traitors? l Alone. I am not afraid" answere
 Vane, Ito seal my witness to the gloriou
 cause with my bIood'' Certainly" wrot
 the king, Sir Henry Vane is too danger
 ous man to let live. if we can honestl
 put him out of the way" He could nc
 honestly be put out of the way; but sti
 the solicitor urged, He must be made
 sacrifice"
 The day before his execution his friend
 were admitted to his prison. One of the1