[The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay Vol. 1 (of 4) by Thomas Babington Macaulay]@TWC D-Link bookThe Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay Vol. 1 (of 4) PART I 36/114
It was because he had never yielded the worst abuse without a long struggle, and seldom without a large bribe; it was because he had no sooner disentangled himself from his troubles than he forgot his promises; and, more like a villainous huckster than a great king, kept both the prerogative and the large price which had been paid to him to forego it; it was because of these things that it was necessary and just to bind with forcible restraints one who could be bound neither by law nor honour.
Nay, even while he was making those very concessions of which you speak, he betrayed his deadly hatred against the people and their friends.
Not only did he, contrary to all that ever was deemed lawful in England, order that members of the Commons House of Parliament should be impeached of high treason at the bar of the Lords; thereby violating both the trial by jury and the privileges of the House; but, not content with breaking the law by his ministers, he went himself armed to assail it.
In the birth-place and sanctuary of freedom, in the House itself; nay in the very chair of the speaker, placed for the protection of free speech and privilege, he sat, rolling his eyes round the benches, searching for those whose blood he desired, and singling out his opposers to the slaughter.
This most foul outrage fails.
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