Oliver Cromwell | Page 6

candles.
A member is speaking.
The Member: That the grievances set out in this Remonstrance now
before you are just is clear. The matter has been debated by us these
eight hours, and none has been able to deny the wrongs which are here
set forth. It is not well with our state, and correction is needed. Mr.
Ireton has very clearly shown us how this is. But we must be wary. The
King is the King, a necessary part, as it must seem to us, of the
government of this country.
(There are murmurs for and against this; assent in the majority.)
To pass this Remonstrance can be no other than to pass a vote of no
confidence in that King. Consider this. Saying so much, how shall you
deny to overthrow the crown if need be? And who among you is
willing to bear that burden?
(The murmurs grow to conflicting cries.)
I beseech you let us not commit ourselves thus. Nor do not think I am
weak in zeal. There are evil counsellors with the King, and they would
destroy us. Our liberties must be looked to. But there should be
moderation in this act. We should choose some other way. We must
defend ourselves, but we must not challenge the King's authority so.
(He sits down to a confusion of voices, and HAMPDEN rises.)
Hampden: My friend, I think, is deceived. This Remonstrance is not
against the King. It is from the people of this country against a policy.
We desire no judgment--all we ask is redress. If we assert ourselves as
in this instrument, we but put the King in the way of just government. I
think the King hardly knows the measure of his wrongs against us, and
I say it who have suffered.
(A murmur of assent.)
To speak clearly as is here done will, I think, be to mend his mind

towards us. This Remonstrance has been drawn with all care. Not only
is its intent free of blame towards the King's majesty and person, but it
can, I hope, be read by no fair-minded man in the way that my friend
fears. If I thought that, I should consider more closely my support of it.
But I have considered with all patience, and it seems to me good.
(He sits, and again there is a rattle of argument. CROMWELL rises.)
Cromwell: Sir, this is a day when every man must speak the truth that
is in him, or be silent in shame, and for ever. Mr. Hampden is my
kinsman, as you know, one who has my best affection. His word has
ever been a strength among us, and no man here but knows his valiance
in the cause. His has been a long suffering, and his integrity but ripens.
But I do not read this occasion as he does, nor, let me say, do I fear it as
does our friend who spoke before. That gentleman pleads that this
Remonstrance is a vote of want of confidence in the King, such as none
of us would willingly pass. Mr. Hampden replies that it is no such vote.
I say to you that it is such a vote, and that I would pass it with all my
heart. Sir, this country, the spirit of man in this country, has suffered
grievances too great to be borne. By whom are they laid upon us? I say
it is by the King. Is a man's estate secure to himself? Does not the King
pass upon it levies for his own designs? You know that it is so. Is there
not ship money? Mr. Hampden can tell you. Is not that the King's affair?
Is there not a Star Chamber? Ask Mr. Prynne and those others. These
men disliked the King's church--a very dangerous church as it seems to
me--and were bold to say so. And for that each was fined five thousand
pounds, and had his ears cut off, and is now in prison for life. And does
not the Star Chamber belong to the King? Who among you can deny it?
And this land is bruised, I tell you, by such infamies. There is no
sureness in a man for his purse or his body, or his conscience. The
King,--not the head of the state, mark you, expressing the people's will
in one authority,--but this man Charles Rex, may use all these as he
will. I aim not to overthrow the monarchy. I know its use and fitness in
the realm, as well as any. But this can endure no longer. The King is
part of the state, but we have a King who has sought to put the state to
his private use. The King should have his authority, but it is