on the 7th of November, the first day on which the House attended to business, it was Pym who made a long and elaborate speech, classing the grievances under privilege of Parliament, Religion, and Liberty of the Subject. On the 11th he made a sudden motion to the House with reference to that which had come to his knowledge of the imperious actions of Strafford both in England and in Ireland; and while at this very moment a message came from the Lords concerning a treaty with the Scots, and desiring a meeting of a Committee of both Houses that afternoon, it was at the instance of Pym a message was returned to the Lords that the House had taken into consideration their message, but that they were in agitation upon weighty and important business, that they could not give them the meeting they desired on that afternoon, but they would shortly send an answer by messengers of their own. And messengers they shortly sent, Pym himself being the chief, who was chosen to carry up on that very day the impeachment of Strafford for high treason. Dr. Southey calls the impeachment and the death of Strafford one of the deadly sins of the Long Parliament. The question may be asked, then, Why was Strafford impeached? Why did he suffer death? In one word, because he advised the king to resist his subjects, and to be so independent of and paramount over law, as to call in the aid of Irish forces, or any forces, to subdue his country: a dreadful counsel which, when we remember, we cannot but marvel at the apologists for its baseness. He, without doubt, advised the king that he was now absolved from all rule of Government, and entitled to supply himself out of the estates of his subjects without their consent. Did space permit, we ought to devote a more lengthy episode to the life and career of Strafford; he was a great man, but he was no match for Pym. As to the wisdom of his death, we shall forbear to express an opinion; he might have been banished, but everywhere, whilst he lived, he must have been dangerous. Upon all this we need only dwell for the purpose of pointing out how Pym was the animating spirit in those transactions which brought about such tremendous results. It was after this that the king, no doubt attempting the dangerous work of reprisals and revenge, attempted to attach Pym and the other members for high treason. The attempt failed most miserably; but it should be remembered that when Pym commenced even his more aggressive career he was a moderate man. The king urged these men along, by his unwisdom and imprudence, on the course they were compelled to take; and thus Pym was rapidly carried along in a course of action far outstripping the theoretical opinions he professed to hold. He insisted originally on the sanctity of the Constitution, and he laboured to maintain it; but, Those who would prosecute these studies further, should read Dr. John Stoughton's volumes of the "History of the Church under the Civil Wars." They are delightful reading, but he sums up against the policy of Strafford's death. when circumstances are thrown into vehement agitation and strife, it becomes impossible to regulate action by that calm and quiet settlement of affairs dictated either in the stillness of the study, or when events flow along imperturbed by the excitements and passions of great party strife. |