him, will take." It was then proposed, to place the chief power in the
hands of the governor-general for the interim, to associate with him
for this purpose able men, and appoint them a court of appeal in
judicial cases; but for the final settlement of affairs, to call
together a second conference of the four protectorate cantons, and
should Luzern and Schwyz refuse to take part in it, to signify to them,
that they were determined to proceed without them. "It is then to be
presumed," continues the letter of advice to the deputies, "if they
thus see, that the abbot cannot be restored, they will quietly agree
with us of the two cantons to take charge of the government. But should
they persevere in their opposition and attempt to use any force on
behalf of the abbot against our purpose and that of the honest people,
it will then be our duty to curb force with force, until honest people,
perchance our Confederates of Bern and others shall interpose and help
to make a treaty of peace. And then indeed it will be discovered, whose
shall be the rule and authority, and who shall be lord or servant, and
thereby the desire for self-government among the people of the abbacy
shall be broken and every thing rightly settled, ordered and secured by
charter, how and in what form, henceforth, court, law, dignities,
offices and all authorities shall be held, and how and what grievances
shall be redressed for the honest people."
Zurich acted from this time forward, in accordance with these
views, and at the close of the year, after Luzern and Schwyz had
repeatedly declined to take part in a second conference, she issued, in
connection with Glarus, an ordinance, of which the following is the
substance: "Henceforth the governor-general is the chief ruler of the
abbey-territory. As heretofore he shall be appointed for a term of two
years by each of the four protectorate cantons in succession. He shall
take an oath to favor the Divine Word and protect the same. Only then
are his subjects bound to obey him. This governor is to be supreme
judge, instead of the imperial bailiff. The high court shall consist,
besides him, of twelve men, of whom he has the selection of four, and
the territory of the other eight. In conjunction with these, or a
majority of them, he shall appoint also the officers of the territory.
The parishes shall be left free to choose their own preachers, who,
however, must be examined and approved, either at Zurich, St. Gall or
Constance. Only with the consent of the governor and the twelve can
they be removed, or suspended from office. Rents, tithes and other
lawful taxes, which are to be applied according to a former resolution,
shall be paid over to a receiver, appointed by the city of St. Gall,
who shall render a faithful account of the same. Whatever unchristian
burdens have been laid upon the poor inhabitants by superstition or
monkish rule, shall be abolished, and in order that the honest people
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