Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1899-12-01 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

THE GUNPOWDER PLOT.  A WEB TO ENTANGLE CATHOLICS. To the Editor of the "Nelson Chronicle." •Sir,—l see by your issue of November 9.4 th that Rev. A. S. Hollinshead has been again at nis antics, with misrepresentation of his neighbcurs' religion and their actions :—" The Gunpowder Plot-sth November—a day for ever memorable in our national history for two events. First, the popish conspiracy headed by the three jesuit priests Gerard, Greenway, and Garnet, by which it was thought to blow up the King and Parliament. That conspiracy the Romish Church had never condemned; Garnet, the murderous assassin who confessed his guilt and was executed, stood to-day enrolled among the so-called martyrs (properly mur(lerers) of the Romish Church. Even Cardinal Manning had glorified those conspirators as saints (see sermons on Ecclesiastical Subjects, vol 1, p. 190). If heaven was for murderers it was interesting to ask what hell was for." So says this ignoramus. There is another side to the question. Here it is: A number of non-Catholic authorities agree in stating that Cecil instigated the conspiracy, and that Government connived at it to suit its own purposes. Francis Osborne, an agent of Cromwell, sets down the whole thing as "a neat device of the treasurer's, he being very plentiful in such plots."—(Traditional Memories, p. 36). Dr. Goodman, Anglican Bishop of Gloucester, bluntly states that Cecil first contrived and then discovered the treason.— (Court of King James I. 102). Usher, Anglican Bishop, said that if Popists knew what he knew the blame of the gunpowder treason would not rest on them. Jardine believes that Government contrived the warning letter, and Gardiner acknowledges that Cecil's contemporaries accused him of inventing the whole. " Cecil, timing things aright, Did in fit moment bring to light _ .  The powder in infernal grot, And then cried out: A Popish.plot!" It was openly said that " the Cffuncil spun a a web to entangle Catholics, as secretary Walsingham did with others." Lord Casilemaine emphatically declares the same thing, appealing to witnesses living when he wrote. An expert remarks that it is certainly curious that the plots of the period proved advantageous to those against whom they were directed. This one, of course, served as a pretext for the further persecution of Catholics and the murder of their priests. It would he difficult to find a more disgraceful travisty of justice than was the trial of Father Henry Garnet. The Jesuit's declaration was read in court, but in accordance with the Attorney-General's instruction, still to he read in the original, every passage in his favour was omitted. The written declaration of the Government spies was in the hands of the Attorney-General at the very time they were swearing something else. All that was proved against Father Henry Garnet was that he had not broken the seal of confession. Nevertheles, sentence of death was passed, and he was executed. With regard to Father Garnet, during the trial James I admitted that the prisoner had not had justice; nevertheless he allowed injustice to be perpetrated. So Garnet was not a murderous assassin, neither did he confess his guilt ; hut he pleaded not guilty, and died a martyr's death. " Even Cardinal Manniiig. had glorified him and his companions as saints (see sernions on Ecclesiastical Subjects, vol. 1, p. If% If heaven was for saints like Garnet, Gerard and Greenway and eighteen other priests and seven laymen, it was interesting to ask what hell was for." We have the high and certainly impartial testimony of Professor Gardiner, who tells us that on the scaffold Garnet made the following declaration: "As to the crime of the powder treason, eharged against me, as a dying man before God, I knew nothing of it, ',aye in confession. Hobert Cateshy, however, told me, but only in vague and general terms, that some attempt would be made for the relief of the Catholics' eause, but he mentioned nothing certain or definite."  Mr. Gardiner add, "In all probability this is the exact triith."—(History I. 28'2). So, ,Ir. Editor, here are a few facts which Messn. Hollinshead and Co. can reed, mark, and learn to purge their illinformed minds of ProteNtant fictions.—Yours. etc., W.