the letter proceeds--"for we have observed with great pleasure, what
friendly intercourse exists between our people and yours, who lie
together on the borders. So would we also act toward you, and spare
neither day nor night to bring about peace, reconciliation and unity."
Bern discovered a similar kind disposition among her Catholic neighbors
in Entlebuch "Every day"--it was written to the bailiff and commons of
that place--"the people of the Emmenthal speak of the friendly manner
in which you have behaved toward them, and how you lately cast into
prison one who defamed us. For this, accept our hearty thanks. And
although much may have been said to you, how we perhaps intended to
compel you or others to embrace the new faith, as it is called, we
freely declare that we never thought of such a thing, and would do it
on no account, for faith is the gift of God alone; but if any one would
force us from our resolution, we must defend it, as those who are bound
always to give an answer for our faith according to the Holy
Scripture." In Luzern itself, even among individual members of the
government, a friendly feeling was still found by the envoys of Zurich,
who in the beginning of the year were sent thither to lay complaints
against Thomas Murner. They wrote from this city to the Council at
Zurich: "It is the common talk at Luzern that the peasantry, who border
on us and the Bernese, are so well content with their neighbors, that
there is nothing like it, and they say together that they will have no
war with each other, but mutually agree to pledge their persons and
their services and not trouble themselves about religion." This was
also confirmed by Von Knonau, the Zurichan _landvogt_.

Relying on this spirit, which still survived, at least among a portion
of the people even in the other Catholic cantons, a full statement was
drawn up, to be laid by envoys before the Councils, and if permitted,
before the general assemblies (_landgemeinen_) of the Five Cantons. "No
doubt," so it ran, "there is still, dear Confederates, many a good
honest man among you, who may justly consider what injury, reproach and
danger to us all and our common fatherland must spring from such an
alliance, and into whose hands and power we will fall--those namely,
who have never favored, but always hated us, and even taught their
children to hate us from the cradle. Indeed, many a dwelling will
become desolate, if they, who began this, persevere in th