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Northern Star (1837-1852), 19th August 1843, Edition 2 of 4, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      TRIAL OF THE » T 1 MES" PoB , LiBEL OH

      MR . iFGOimOR . HBKfc—o » c ( nnrb » p . zxwsov , ! nBScsae ,- » ti < & > M an action hyilr . PeMfaj ^ J ^ tet nor a ^ ciii ^ l" this jonrnaT for libel , cams -on for trial at Croy&Hn on ^ TrjOAy , before Lord "Chief iurtice Tindal « tdT % Special Jury . ^ The Court "was very mneh erwdeil " , " > _ T ' - <¦ Tile f ollo'wing ge ^ Lsmen "were ' empanneled -as the Jury ;^ T £ 6 mas Acoda , E ? q j-Bawin . Bryant , Eiq- ; Jamjar Crockerj Esq . j John Pairfax Chtonery , Esq , j James 3 shn Comynj 33 sq . V : T& » ina 3-

      3 Ir-Jah ^ opened iba pleadings raid this ease F ^ agus O * Cemor ¦»» thB pWntiff , and John Joseph Lswboh thfi fiefendaiit The declaration stated that , befere the publieatiaa of the libel xm -account of ^ rfc ^ it tea aclaon-- »*» « oomtsicea there bad been as election ffr-lbs borough of Nottingham , at -which JesepS Srmse and Jshn Walter Vets candidates , and test the plaintiff assisted at that election on kehill r . f thfi iaid Joseph Stage . The . declaration i ! ir | l «« 6 forth that , after the beforeiaeiiUoned election , It became uecessaiy to iaTeanotiar Section for thi borough of Notfegh&m , at which John Waller , Jan ., c £ j Mr . Giabome -were candidates , and that the present plaintiff asastsd at that election on behalf-of Mt Gt-sfecme . It then aet lertti jaianteJj tfce libel Tfhici fcrined 3 he surjeefcof the present action . JL Said eur ^ t set forth that the l&el -wanted what , in legal l * za ^ was xaBsd ^ inducement The defendant 7 hadFaad 6 dr * IToleniUy . -C

      Ms . -jtnjsans 5 hsb then Bald , —May It please your XoraiSlp—gonfleaisarf / UisFjbij , I have the honour to address yon as connael for ; ^ ir . O Connor , the plain tiff in ibis aclion , who liaa felt compelled , in justice to hiaFeH , and to all Vho are interested in bis ; good name , 10 came here auto cbnri ^ o j cnm p iafp of an unfoundes ^ iiiack onliim which appeared in . the columns « f ths Tiz ^ i » wsp > perir f ^ enUeniott , it Isnow ten or twel ** , . y ^ rs . ago iinea Mr . Q ! GonneifiEBfc becamekno-wn as a paSk man to the -peqpjejaf-JBaiiand . He-was anbp& ^ a to i ^ in tlat _ ciaraeier m the representa tive £ f on = of themortlmpOT ^ tcoxistituenciesin fi » aMercenn ^ aposfi ^ . wh ^ man ¦ who SlfedIttoaTerylargeabare ^ f conaderation and * sped Is a » es&niUonoI a jraMsrons nation . Game .

      men , itjsppeMtbatTrBen all hope of jn&Sce from ha more ^^ erfnljffi ^ iofa 3 Safl bejna to sicken in Ireland , ^ Ir . © XJonadr represented lis native county of Cork in ihs Honsa . of Commons .. ' As member' for that eooEty Hs conduct on all occasions ¦» & > jn&sly , . conaiiteat , pamotac * and independent , said arongb ^ bis opinions « a questianB of pEbHtpplit ^ -were not * n ^ i as to ns ? iY 8 conntQianta from inWan ihst iSKmbi / ,, Ida depcrunent-was admitted on all bands to J » entirely 3 rnFTrf > rrf ? ftT »^^ fl , HeHcTer irantohly caused a p ^ "g in the brass ! of a political . opponent j bis conduct -wu &ee from tfie lasrt Unctore of personal objection ; be m « fi ^ Tin CTpTn ^ j' ^ fl-h p . ^ f >^ fr Tip fi ^ pnff ^ . Qenflanen , on bis retirement from Jirliamsnt , 2 ir . O'Connor did ; aot dfcesv it seceeaaiy to aiiore all interest 3 u public

      affiiirw , or abstain from the < H * caaskni of pnhKc qae » - lions . Be thought , andin my iuind rightly , that if a man b ^ Ye the boart , ihe spirit , and lbs eonrage to « erTE hid coontry , be may do k > as irell—nay , iasome conjniictcres pobaps letter , Trittont than Trithin ibe vaiis c £ - Parjfameat J know that there is a sort of toeklj , / arnt-hearted -f ^ lr ^ g ' in the minds of some men , —men ~ vho are smrorthy of the blessings they enjoy , — 'wHch icdoees them to condemn in c&szb , aad eschew for themselTes , the eserdsr cf those ri ^ bta vMcb are secured to them by ¦ ffita oQSanmfibn—Gib light of meeting in public assent * bfies cf tsar felloir citizsiifl for diEcnsnos ; o ? , aa-it aomeiEes is on other occasions , to avsken that fear "Wiiici , iffis ^ ften in oar history been the beginning © f

      Trisdua in our mlers , scd of content among the people She Cvdise , gentlemen , wcieh 3 It O'Connor panned on Hist < k »« on -irBs&at ^ bieh yras pursued by Bnrke , by Tex ., py Sheridan , by Grey , by Bordett , by Brougham , and tie rsst of that long list of men vbose ' sames v 3 I ie lenisicbered vrSh bbnour in tills country -when tbose » to tiTs prostitutedrtbeir talents inniiling them bare l «* is driven Hke -weeds along the itreain of-thna In pmsnmgtbalcouTSB , Mr . O'Connor obtained the eonfl dflnceof aTery large portion of bis fellow-countrymBn Eis pctlic conduct and pnblic opinions are , of course , a fsir and legitimate Hihjeci of public erltieism . In the course be baa thought proper to dialk ont tor Ti ^ Tpg ^ fj lie-did sot expert Immsnliy from ttte atdcturas-of so Impo ^ sst an organ of public epinlan as Tie Tines

      xevxpspez . € tect 2 emen , I am * nre yon -will . agree "with sue that xeyBrsinee the inTenfionof printing , and of oose nerer : before ^ bas a { pb ^ er ova men ' s minda , aften'a kapprneas , men > fortonea , * o xbft ^ lute , soirre aiBHble , by priest or ' orator , "by prince or statesman , ieen wiadedas that VHchis held iy thetUrectorBof fhatJstxrsaL TsrOy iy ' ttie prodigal empleymeni of snboucded lesonrces is ilb& collection from alljparta of Qie Voile vf infoarmrtion cm migseta ol pnblic intaeat , parilj fcj the command , si any cost , of t& *; il | fbart cider ef JJtsraiy "~ ability , jfifta 3 ^' roe * newspV ^ er baa attain **? a drenlatfon , and therefore a command of pewEr , ^ iis poesEssacn 'xt Triieh may > e to tbecondnctors c ? is a aoince of prond TEflsction , bnt irbich 3 % * r tba xame" iSn ^ ' attettaed Tftffi . an awful

      TesponaKHty ; Sai 2 i"Ts tfe JpdwBr of that jcurnal that fi ^ Editor msy " m any morning that . be pleases , Jy Hie ^»« 7 i of M '""^^^^ " ^ ^ ^ f h nli vt * rj *¦*"* prospects , and tbB ^ ooBf W a j ^} 3 calJORpoaE » t . It inmia be ucjniVt © ray rfthat JrarnaTtbat it ii a lJb > El-3 er l > y BEiit or profasidoii . Kq ^ gentlemea , Jt » mjurtice , Trben ii is nEjtuii Ibct T » one ~ of its tone and ** igour by a wacioa and naB ( &utiodalgeace . ~ Wheult strikes , "& xtftEF t » destroyi ; or , ' Jf it fulr to destroy , it is « 3 ly -srfeEi met by it * opjraoent air it is bere met by 3 dt OXJonnor HmH * j ; lTow / 3 l iappfoiedthatMr . O' € a £ sc ?* s Tiews of publie affiiin differed essentially from , tbcsj thai bare -been of late year * entertained by Mts « 3 ia-3 and proprietors ci The Tints fie ^ rapapex . Sis experience in PaJfliamenV bad irodUDifl is his

      mind an impzesSon tiiat m the « mt « rt between the two g ^ ssi paitiea irt » are straggling for place and po-5 ? er , xnd -whose Btmggjea distract and agitate the empire , the first object of the legisla&on—the Veil baMTBsd happiacsa if file great ie ^ of tbe peoplelias lh » s forgofeen—4 bai while / we Wgf i > jass t » iih -woBder on the prodigious monuments cf the wealth and prosperity of the . country—results of tte unpasalled comb ^ c ^ ion of mdEBtiy , science , ana art , &e moral * nd pBysca ^ eoaaJtioii of tt « maaealisas unparalleled xaeTta those TFOTrrtpra of prosperity themaelres are unpsralieled—ibat while wealth has accumulated , tti « ti 2 > as celtriorated , ana that those * ho -see life only througn "srhatonemsy call tbe roee-tinta of a drawingzoom ^ iirfow are not tit persons who are most fit to pisEcnbe Icr the disease oj the stale . These-were the Tiews of bir . O'Connor , and hi » < onrse ~ was in accord ance tHdi it . We are : not bere to decide whether those

      ¦* ie- « s to ^ sht or ¦ wrong .- If or do I complain of the conflttcV -of Tht Tiatt newspaperln any comment which She en » sr sayUnrikflt to maks onttie politicalopmions Aif Six . O'Consoz : " lf- ie f ^^ -p ^^ Tn * different opinio-i ? : , he is justified in offering to those opinions ef Mr O Connor a bold , unflinching , and determined iwrefciTTCB * Of sneb . oppesl&m Mr . O'Connor does not ceiapiaTC . Ait st the Ifottingliam election for 1842 , J&x . "Srsiter , oTBear "WTood , in Berkshire , -was a condidate , ^ « entismsB of teij larga fortune , ana whose opjnir ^ is on political guesSons hannoniza , with those ^ lich ve ? some time part bave been adrocsted in Tht Tsmss ae 3 > papar . Mr- J . Sturge , wbo is , 3 beliere , el Sinnsn ^ iain , -wbb also a canOiiiate , a gentleman entert » ' ^ r ; Tviat 3 bope , wi&ont ofience , I may call extreme liberal opMona . TEhese two gentlemen were at that tiHie candidates for the representation of the town ofNottingbam . On the occasion of a former Section yiz . Vszhzs iod sneceeded . and at that time ire bad

      ST&Hed j * . im « t > lf of the assistance cf Mr . O'Connor in the parsuu of tbfl objBcfc of bis ambition . JBnt when Mr . Walter stood against J&x . Sturge , with whose opmicnsoD almost all public gnestians those of Mr . O'Connor -were in entire snison , that gentleman gayt bis mjtpoit-to Hi Starge , in oppos&an to JSz . Walter . Tflr . Walter , gen-Hemen , hiTing been retarnedj was afterwards unseated on petition j andthai his sod , HSx . Jd-m Walter , jnn ., fcecame a «» gT »^ mkf >> for the - ? ac 3 nt seat , in opposition to the preseat -member -for Nottingham , Mr . Gisboma Jir . Qlsbctme xeerared on titat occasion from Mr O'CSoniior and bis Henas a disinterested and ptrfecay conai « Hit support . 2 Iow , gentlemen , -wiJli "fiie conduct of Sir , O'Connor on theoecsiaon of that election , ^ srtfli las ^ eMail pniBe coaaBetthe editor of The

      , Tijna newspaperl » a a perfect right to concern bimBelt J ao aot tot one moment ^ juesOon tne xi ^ it of 2 % « Ti ^» newsps ^ ridoJs oias the enoa pfiis conduct or ttetenaeney ^ tbe conduet , or to represent it , if he » ongbt proper , to _ tbe _ people andtotbeGovsnimenfrof g ^«^» ™ a maansr the most injurious tothe political baracter of 3 It O-Connor- I dctft for a iwanwit deny his n ^ bt to ^ ao aoj iar my own part , 1 think ttat 3 fe ; (« 3 oim « , a te c ^ ertain ttose ^ Df aions consdenUoua ^ -sas perfectly rigbt in drocatiDs ; aem . On the otber iand U othew fiank djffs « n % , fiay bare a perfect right to B ^) reE 5 t&esr opinions . "Those peaona may belong to a class wild ihin&v tbst in this country so m ^ has a BgM to tatepsitinT ? ublic a& ^ is , ai he b * s crawled

      on bis 2 iands and kneea into the House of Commons , and -then , rerersing tin acboolboy ' s maxim , -waited ¦ with bis mouth abut and-Ms jjyas open , seeing-what # odmMb * . * endHm . ^ or my part , I think diflerenay trom tasaa peaon * . I think that * man ba » a ri ^ bt to xcmB for ^ ird in npuMio asssmbly , aad , wbile obaerring ibe laws , lay before bis feH » w-country-men bis H viewz &a pablie polity . I beHere the T *» i * r newspaper is of ttie 3 am 8 tfpiinon , buVtbat it disapprerts cf ^ ba jpftn&ni eon ^ ncS o ? 3 ir . OXJoanc *; and tfrfuking as it has a bright to liold bim " up to piblic execraHon if it Ibinksproper . I ^ ronld jnbmit toyouttiatthe pablio cbaract £ r of ~ a i » m » i-y *^~^ t » a- - ptir "' P * t honour and iniagrity of * man are iwoftay different Subjects for BOTnioeBtj = infle 6 a , X wbrM sdbmitto you— -I -vonld anbmit to the editor of the 7 &n » himself , if we could in of

      iaTB 1 ^ here Jib capacity priyate gentlsmen—Scat S ^ hepovsarBofilspetfor of Wspressha ^ re been perrert * cl toihe iDjnry of the personal honour and ebaricter of anoTsvonent , be ought to issie zepssation . Aehargeon tb » " cl » iacterof apubQcmanof baseness and dipbonesty in money matteu cannot be dlsregatded It ia ^ mongthsbert features of the state of tie soci ety iavblch ^ re HTe » 1 iat no man , however amiable his

      Untitled Article

      personal qualities may appsari « to * eTar oommanding bis talents mayhB-issys t txiin ^ aSsU ^ pnbKeltfe , to wrestle "With Jk taint on his msral character of pecuniary turpitude . Iwmsbowyontbatthe * aitoTofthe Times m ^ wBpaper ; l »«^» iroa » ajto ; fix that damning blot on tfee dmraetof ^' Mt ^ 0 'CpTwart = }» haa en dea-Tonred to connect his aaxne , whereTgr the Knglinh 1 « n » gnaf eihallbe read , withthefo ^ reproacb of fraud and pwalation . I aak you , feaUenuaa , if 1 jfliow you that snen bas been thecase , I ask you If Mr / O'Connor is not entitled either ' -to Tepsraticm fephii the editor of the "Times newspaper / or toiedresa from yotu iQenflemea , I will show yon that the 3 nimo newspaper has been guilty of thUinJustlee ^ to Mt O ^ Connor , In the paper of the 16 th of May , 1843 , an article adrertlng to the election to which I hare already called your attention

      appeared . It -wasiieaded " Secreta of tbo late CSuzOBt ^ xficuttTe . " Kow , l sayopenly . -what Ia ) n sure yea must approve of , that in this publio court of justice , of Chartists we know , and we ought to know , nothing . As far as my little Imowledge of political matters goes , of tiie different parties in the country , whether Whigs , or Tories , or Rvlicala , or Chartists , it would be rery hard to say which has been the most violent when it suited their purpose ; but in a court of justice we don't know one from the other , their private character is as sacred before a judge and jury—and I have the highest authority for saying this—as the private character is of any person sot engaged in politifril afiairs , and that they on rht to receive on all occasions the same measure of justice at the bands of a jury . Gentlemen , this is the libel complained of by the plaintiff : — I

      "SECBEIS OP THE IATB CHABTIST EXECUTIVE . " It was stated last week that Campbell , ' the Secretary of the Chartist Executive , had decamped to America , taking with him the books of the National Charter Association . Since then it has been intimated to the Executive that Campbell had , previously to his flight , pledged those books , with a largejsumber ol cards of membership , for th « sum of £ 1815 s . S ^ d ., and that they will be delivered op by a iax . Arthnr O'Neil as soon as the lien upon them is paid off . [ The defection of Campbell , O'lTall , and other firebrands from the ChartMs , has destroyed all the , confldenca ! which they bad formerly in each other . Even Mr . O'Connor himself , xrho boasts » o much of bis ; disinterested services and sacrifices in the cause of Chartism , is chaiged with

      beings venal and timeserving public character . The following charges are made against him i—That he accepted £ 28 for lecturing and : assisting Fat Mr . J . StnigrfB contest with Hi . J . Walter , sen . ; that he demanded £ 13 from Mr . Rogers for his services at the late contest betwren Mr . Gisbome and | Mr . John Walter , jun ; and , though last , not least , [ that he received from Mr . Sturge ' s committee the sum of j 65 for an active agent , to whom he only paid £ 3 , putting the remaining £ 2 in Ms pocket . Mr . O'Connor , as a matter of coarse , denies those charges , but his accusers allege that fjeycao prove them . Seine other circumstances in the * Idon of the NorthV character have come to light , which argue aught but disinterestedness or sacrifice , and which have lowered ilm -very mocb in the eyes of his late admirers . " \

      This is the libeL HaviDg read it to yon I think I need hardly detain jon with many comments on its tendeney to inflict serious Injury oa Mr . O'Connor . H commences wia a denunciation of the grossest profligacy on his part , and of miscoudnct in money ; matters—In matters of trust , as ope of the agents of the Chartist body . It then proceeds to impute to w > . O'Connor a meanness utterly inconsistent with his own repeated assertions on public occasions , aad his own character for disinteresteaness , and finally it goes on in much circumstantial detail , accompanied by an assertion that those facts can beproTcdj to charge Mr . O'Connor with a piece of direct pecuniary dishonesty—that he pocketed money that was given him to be handed to another ; that he meanly , in the most paltry and dirty way , having

      received £ 5 to pay to an active agent , put f 2 of it into his own pocket Gentlemen , that is the charge which The Time * make * against Mr . O'Connor . Mr . O'Connor mei it in the manner in which I am sure yon will agree sneb a charge ongbt to be met by a man of spirit and honour . He instructed his attorney to issue a writ against The Times newspaper , that The Times newspaper , which , as we hare seen proved in : this very court on a former occasion , would ransack the whole of Europe for evidence in support of a plea of justification , might have the opportunity of proving those state menta which , in the libel complained of , the editor declared his ability to prove . He brought his action , The Times pleaded some demurrable pleas ; but they have sot ventured to take up the challenge which Mr .

      O'Connor gave them when be afforded them the opportunity of proving the truth of their statement as their ustiftcstion for the libel According to the record , The Times does not pretend to say that that statement is true ; yet up to this moment- sot one ahadow of reparation have we received from a manwbo writes every day , and publishes to all world every day wb * t he has to say . Now , I confess I am sot * little at a loss to conjecture , and I . am ¦ very impatient to hear , in what -way my Learned Friend will meet this case . I do not altogether despair that he may have been instructed by his ^ clients to take that course which Is open to every man whose opinion is werth a thought—a course which would be most graceful , most becoming in every respect , most

      worthy of the reputation of bis clients . I do not despair thai be -may have been instructed frankly to admit that they have been misled , and were in error , and to say that before the dawn of another day they wouia compose , for the very ear into which the venom « f the article had been infused , the antidote which , they alone possess for it » correction . I ny frankly * on the part of Mr . O'Connor , thst b » jvrefenj , a , ' , thousand times before any damages that a Jury can'give , that description of honourable reparation which trill enable him to leave this Court -without a stein on bis personal hanonr and integrity ; and let me add , with a feeling of personal esteem for a political opponent . Gentlemen , I am satisfied that this would be the right f coarse for the Times newspaper to pursue on the present

      occasion . The ungenerous and the mean may grudge the acknowledgment of an error , Jbut the right-minded will repair the wrongs of those whom they have injured . No man of real courage » brln >« from the noble duty of redress . I shall be glad if my Learned Friend feels himself at liberty to take that course . Indeed , until I hear the contrary from the jelsctant lips of my Learned Friend , or from his expresasive " silence , I never can believe that the editor of the Tines newspaper , who two abort yean ago stood In this Court -with such a halo of honour round hit name , will be content to leave it to-day with the brand on him of premeditated slanderer , f I cannot

      believe it till I hear it from the lips of my Learned friend ; but if my Learned Friend , or those wbo instructed him , should prefer the mistaken choice ef persisting in their injustice , then I appeal from them to yon , and tiircmgh you to the country . I say that Mr . O'Connor is a public man , and in the same rank and walk of literary occupation as the editor ol JTie Times himself , lot Mr . O'Connor is the editor ofa paper of -very large provincial circulation ; he is a man of character , of birth , and of honour , -whose reputation is dear to him and to a numerous circle of personal and political friends . He has received a deep Injury from the editor of the The Timt * which entitles him to redress .

      I askyon to test by your -verdict that Mr . O ' Connor leaves this court'without a blemish or stain on fliiiTmmn . —I ask yon to prove by yonr -verdict tbat no suspicion even of misconduct on bis part has been justified by the proceedings of to-day 9 but , above all , 1 ask you to prove to all the world that if any man in England be injured by the excesses of that press , the ! liberty of wMeb we all prise and -ralne as aancb as any institution of the country , tbat man is sure t » have redress if he frankly , fairly , honea&y , and at once lays his case before a jury of his country . ! - Formal proof was then ^ iven of the defendant being the registered printer of The Times . ' \ Mi Serjeant Shee obsesved , that by the 6 th and 7 th . of William IT- it was not necessary to prove the purchase of a paper , it was sufficient to show the defendant was the printer ; and the libel was afterwards put in sod read . This being the case for the plaintiff :

      Mr . THBS 10 EE . then rose and said—Myj Lord , and Gentlemen of the Jniy , the course which my Learned Friend has adopted in laying this case before you , is the most extraordinary and unprecedented { " I ever recollect to have witnessed . My Learned Friend has tnougnt fit to make a -very long and powerful speech to yon , in the course of -which he has made a variety ofauAements ; and after that speech of my Learned Friend , I think you must be surprised at bis stopping short with the bare proof of ownership of I the Times

      newspapsr . My Learned Friend has spoken a good deal about the plaintiff , bit after all , I | ask yon . do you know anything of Hi . Fewgus O'Connor ? What has been proved , or set before you ] respecting him , or his character , by which you , could form any iJeaof the amount of injury done , or alleged to be done to his character by the publication of this libel ? Is there an > thing by which yon can award the amount ef damages to which he should be entitled ? Do you know anything whatsoever upon the subject ? As far as too know there is no information of who or what this

      Mr . F . O Connor is , and yet you » re called upon to award damages . You are merely called upon in a very pow-« to speech to award damages .: ' Why ia it that there is no proo ! offered in rapport of the allegations which the plaintiff has thought fit to set forth in the decla ration ; and why , I ask , is U that you are merely ontd upon to give damages , -without being informed ^* a yittng inspecting him ? Bow are yon to form a judgm ent of the amount , of injury done to' any man ' s raaacter , unless it be by knowkg what tte character seally Jwme by the todividnalii *? Let Ins suppose S" ^ ^ ° Z »« dmt carrywg <« buiS ^ . « S ? **** «? «»*« , igiinrt -rhomia libel ii taa «^ ftwxa would

      | 2 ^ g hM > wia -j it wt be ssa ^^ i ^¦ W 3 J « n Eteto inow nothing of Whfclr ToS ^ S& or Chartist ButhowiTttat Possibte ? ^ ^ T ^ J Fritnd says your minds are tobf a WaS ^« h ^^ a say ay Learned Wend would wish yW mSL to £ i

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      blank sheet , on which . he could write whatever he pleased . Bul ^ CfeniiemeD , when my I ^ rned Friend Bajsfypxi knew nothing of Chartists , does lie think yon are chUdren ?; D <^ he thi ^ that you know nothing & tlK « B , misguicled \ . people ;; : who are excited both at pnbUc meetings ' and by tnflarnmatorywritingB ' faithe public prest ?! Does he think it possible that you could be Ignorant of tho « people , and of the constjqusncee of their acts ?; X agree with , my Learned Friend thai whate ^ ei be pthe p ^ Utical ppiMons of persons , tiiey have a rightito ' exprats them both publicly and prilately , provided that in so doing they do not inflame

      tiie minds of the ignorant I am not one ef those whom my I Learned Friend described—( wbo my iearaedFrfen'd means , ' I know not )—who think that , as be says , men should erawi upon their hands and knees into the House of CommonH , in order to obtain the privilege of ' expressing their opinions . I really do not know "what my Learned Friend means by that allusion . I wish my Learned Friend had spared that observation , and many others also which he thonght fit to make use of , because by such remarks as he made this day , my Learned Friend may be supposed to entertain opinions Jwith regard to matters passing around , such as I am confident are not entertained by him .

      ( Mr . Sergeant Shee shook his head , apparently in dissent ) ) Mr . Thesiger continued—And which , if he entertains , would make it appear that be is a very different character ; from that which his friends have hitherto taken him for . Bat who is Mr . Feargus O'Con nor ? Is be a person whe haa been shedding his ink that ottiers may ; shed their blood ? Is he a person who baa been convicted of sedition ? Is he one who has been lately convicted , and only escaped punishment through a technical informality T If this be the character of Mr . Feargus O'Connor , I oak is he a person to come here and demand heavy damages at your hands ? The law compels you , in a case where libel iB proved , to give damages to the most worthless—technical

      damages I may call them ; but observe , that in this case the charge is such that no plea of justification could be put in . Gentlemen , ^ Mr . O'Connor , my Learned Friend has informed you , has applied to thelaw for redress , j wish be would follow / the same coarse oftner . I wish he wenld apply much oftner to the law—( laughter ) . Bat , Gentlemen , my Learned » riend , after dilating eloqnently upon his subject , ' seemed to entertain some misgiving of his cause—he suddenly lowered his tone . He says Mr . Feargus O'Connor comes here merely for the vindication of his character , and that lie merely demands damages in order to clear his character . Bat my Learned Friend seemed to recollect that after his speech had been concluded there must be another story to be told , trad so he throws ont a sort of opportunity for the Times to

      say it retracts , and he affects to believe it ha * been misled , and he gives it an opportunity to say that it has been misled . Bnt ; GentJemeu , let Mr . O'CoDBftr have his bond—let him have just what the law allows him if the Times was wrong , but let there be no compeebiise with sneb a character . Let us sse who Mr . Feargus O'Connor is . "My Learned Friend , in his opening apeech , told yon something of his having ' entered into public life at a time of great political excitement , and then he went on with a quantity of matter about Justice to Ireland , and a good Seal to tbat effect , which I shall pass over withont any ; comment , as it is not veiy relevant to the present Question . My Learned Friend then went

      on to say that Mr . Feargus O'Connor first entered Parliament as Member for his native county of Cork , and that his conduct-whilst in Parliament was of that kind and conciliatory nature as to obtain the respect of all parties with whom he came in contact . But , Gentlemen , he entered Parliament under a fictitious qualification , which he must have signed bis name to knowing it to be fictitious , ' and he was turned out on a petition —{ laughter throughout the Court ) . Mr . Serjeant Shee—No , no . No such thing ; he sat for four yean . ' Mr . Xhesickb—No , only four months—( laughter ) . Mr . Serjeant Shee—Not at all ; you are quite wrong .

      Mr . Thesiger—Yes . I was counsel for the petitioners against Mri Feargus O'Connor on this occasion , and I had the hsppiuera to turn him out —( great laughter } . The Learned Gentlemen went on—But , Gentlemen , my Learned Friend ^ in speaking of the power possessed by the Times , said ;* Where the Times strikes it destroys . " Does it ? I « Peargna O Connor destroyed T I wish he was--daughter )—and wiah my Learned Friend could say be was destroyed ? —Mr . Serjeant Shee—It is not likely . Mr . THEaiGEB . —I wish Borne more powerful antagonist than the Times may destroy him . But , Gentlemen , he is not destroyed . And now let us sae tbe animus of this libel 1 What was tbe object ? The Times sought to show that tbe Chartist leaders were not those

      disinterested persons that they wished to be thought by their misguided followers . Now let us see this libel—{ tbe Learned Counsel read the part of tbe libel which alleged that Campbell had run away with tbe Chartist books , and went on ) . Is this true , I wonder ?—( laughter ) . Campbell has brought no action . " Confidence in the leaders is destroyed . " I hope that's true—( Jaughier ) . Mr . Thesiger then read on and said—The charge against O'Connor is—what ? An attack upon his public character ? The charge against him in , first , that be got £ 29 for lecturing ; at an election . Is this any charge against his private character ? Why it is only a charge that be was paid for lecturing . That is not an attack upon his private chaiacter . My Learned Friend said that the plaintiff gave his help gratuitously to Mr .

      Gisborae and Mr . Sturge , bnt do peopfct aever getpaid for their services at elections ? I rather think they do . The last and greater charge against him is , that be ceceired £ 5 from an active agent , and put AS ol it in bis pocket . Wow -wnat aoes tbat amount to ? Just tbat be , in tbe rapacity of an agent , received the money to hand to an active agent , and tbat bis own wants were so pressing , that he applied a portion of it at tbe time to liia own use . Now what-was there in this Charge ? What injury can j a person who has been living in a storm receive from this puff of wind ? The assertion is only that he " waa charged" with ib—not that he did it . We could not plead a justification to this charge . We could not justify , because it would be no answer to prove that he really was charged with it . The libel only said that he was charged with doing it—I dare say he did it —( laughter ) . Bat what is tbe object ? I

      acknowledge it is to lower the character of Mr . O'Connor , in ordar that his misguided followers may see what he is , and avoid being led to destroy tbe peace of society by following the advice of a man who is leading them to destruetioB . But again I say , wbo is Mr . Feargus O'Connor ? "Where are his friends ? Why are they not produced © n this ioccasion ? unless my Learned Friend was afraid that on tbe cross-examination of those friends we might ascertain what his character really is . No ; but yon are called upon to give your verdict of the shilling , or whatever else it may be , and you are to know nothing further of him than that be is a Chartist leader , like the other Chartist leaden , inciting persons to sedition all through tbe country ; and then be comes here to demand damages at your hands for tbe destruction of his character . Such is the state , the real state of the case , and I leave it entirely , Gentlemen , in your Ti « tir >« with the utmost confidence .

      The Lobj ) Chief Justice said—Gentlemen of the Jury , this is an action brought by Feargus O'Connor against John Joseph Lawson , for an injury alleged to have been sustained by him in consequence of the publication of a libel 3 n Tie Timtes newspaper . Now , the libel is one tbat imputes to Mr . O'Connor , that "he himself , who boasts so much of his disinterested services and sacrifices in tbe cause of Chartism , has been charged with being a venal and time-serving public character , and the following charges have been made against him ; " and then it proceeds to enumerate three charges—first , that Mr . O'Connor had received the sum of £ 28 , for lecturing and for assisting Joseph Sturge in his contest with Mr . John Walter ; and secondly , that be demanded thesnm of £ lS for services in tbe Jate

      contest between Mr . Gtisbome and Mr . John Walter , Jan . Now if the publication had stopped there , I am not prepared to say that it would have contained anything tbat was ittictiy of a libellous nature , because there is nothing either disgraceful or dishonourable in a man seeking compensation for services performed by him . Bnt tbe article goes on to say , " though last not least , tbat he received from Mr . Sturge ' s committee the sum of £ 6 for an active agent , to whom he only paid £ 3 , putting the remaining £ 1 in his pocket '' Now , gentlemen , I feel ; that it would be very difficult to say that this is any other than a charge against Mr . O Connor amounting to } fraud and dishonesty , for , "whatever may be the nature of a man ' a employment , to charge him with receiving money from one man to pay to

      another , and patting some of it in his own pocket , without assigning any reason to explain such conduct , bss a natural and plain tendency to impute to that man an act of dishonesty . It is necessary that you should be satisfied that the libel imputed to Mr . O'Connor tbat he had fraudulently applied to his own use tbe sum of £ 2 which was paid to him for the purpose of Vhe payment of an " active agent" If yon believe tbe meaning of the libel to be that he , acting in his private capacity , had received a sum of money , of whicVi he had reserved £ 2 for bis own use , —if you believe that is the . real meaning of the statement in the publication complained of , itben the party will to entltied to a verdict to the amount of the injury sustained by him tbrouizh that publication ; bnt it is . said , on

      the other hand , that the statement only appears inthe form of an allegation that such and such charges had been made against the 1 plaintiff . It 1 b true , also , that of such a statement no justification could be placed on the record , for it must have goae further an * said , that the charges so alleged to have been made were true charges . If such a jufitiflcatlen could have been pat on the record , and it had been made out , it would have been an answer to the plaintiff ' s action ; but it is no answer to that action to say that because the statement represents only that such and such things are charged against the plaintif , therefore the party mskingtiiai statement Is unable to avail himself of the

      defence wbieh ; •> ' justification wonld afford . It teems to me , therefore ,-tbat the only Question for yon is , first , whether-700 an 'satisfied that the meaning of tbfr words is « uch as It in imputed to be in this deolaiatton ; and , secondly ,: if so , what you shall think , under all the circumstanoes , a fair remuneration in damages for the injury whichithd plaintiff has sustained . Now , ¦ with , regard to thai part of the question , I must say I felt a great difficulty in atating to you any groundsfrom , anything that : appears on my notes—that would assist your judgment in calculating the damages to be awarded . I have never seen a case that was lanoched with a greater penury of evidence , f ox generally then

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      is somebody put in the box to state that the innendoes of the libel do , in their opinion , apply to the party bringing the action , and' that his allegations fonnded upon them were also t ^ e ; 0 Tj where the subject matter is pretty well understood between the counsel on either aide , farther ' evidence of , that feJnd Is sometimes dispeneed jwith . But in thta case the learned counsel on either side , whether raj brother 8 hee , who apptats for the plaintiff , or Mr . Thesiger , whoappearsforthe defence , seem to take very different opinions as to the chanter and situation of Mr . O'Connor—roplnlona which I am peTfectly unable to reconcile [ with each other . I have not , gentlemen ,, on my not « i any attempt to show which of these two biographers lain the tight Therefore , all that I can know judicallly , and also that can be known to you—that is to | ay , all that baa appeared on this , trial—ifl that which Is ; stated in the declaration , and which is admitted by the demurrer , namely , that there was an eleotion at Nettincbam .

      Mr . Thesigee—We say in oar demurrer that there was no election . .. 1 The Lobd Chief Juszicst-I tnqst take it as on the face of the record , that there [ was an election at Nottingham , at which Joseph Sttirge was one candidate and Mr . Walter another , and that the plaintiff was present at that election assisting Joseph Sturge ; that after that came another election , at which Mr . Gisborne was one candidate and Mr . J . Walter , ' jua , another , and . tbat the plaintiff was there on that occasion , assisting on beialf ojf Mr . Gisborne . I dO | not know that the proceedings ' before us afford the [¦ means of getting much far ther in the cane , because the declaration does not tell os what the opinions and principles of the parties were , or whether Mr . O'Connor took part as agent gratuitously or not . It appears , ; however , that on some occasion ] afterwards tbe whole matter appeared in the Times . ; If the paper had confined itself to canvassing ,

      however freely , the public character of Mr . O'Connor , whoever be may be , or his conduct on that occasion , which was a public one , no barm would result from it It has been justly said that no man Can be written down—bia own Conduct alone can destroy him . Bat if , instead bf stopping at that clear and defined line , there is [ any personal and individual charge made , the law calls that libellous , uulessjit can be shewn , either from the occasion or from its being a true statement , tbat tbe party has no right to recover . It does not appear that either of these two predicaments are true inthe present case , and the consequence is that you must give a verdict for the plaintiff for the publication under the circumstances I have already stated to you , and which are so extremely small aa presented to our knowledge ibat we have fyardly any to consider—you must give some damages- —such damages as you in your own reason and [ udgment consider the plaintiff deserves .

      The Jury then consulted together * After the lapse of a'few ^ minutes . The Foreman ( addressing the Judge ) said , —We wish to jknow , my Lord , what amount of damages will carry costs ? ! The Lord Chief JcsticE < smiHng >—I cannot give you any answer on that point , gentlemen . You must judge of the real damage and injury according to the evidence ! before you . The Jury again consulted for a few moments , bat did not agree . They retired . After the lapse of about two noura , they returned Into Court The Foreman—We find for the plaintiff—Damages , 20 s . f Mr . Sergeant Shee then applied to the Judge to certify for the costs . The Lord Chief Justice declined to do so . The effect of this refusal is , that tbe plaintiff pays bis own costs .

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      Stafford assizes , Friday , Aug . n . THE ^ UBBN V . O ' NKIL . Mr . Alexander stated the counts of the indictment , which charged the defendant with having uttered seditious language , teadinR to bring the laws and government of the country into contempt , at a meeting at Rowley Regis , on the 26 th of August last . j Mr . Serjeant Talfourd proceeded to open the case on the part of the Crown . In tho course of the month of August most unhappy disputes bad subsisted between lax&a bodies of workmen and their masters , with respect to the rate of their wagea ; and althpughlthe workmen had a right to combine together for thepurpoae of obtaiaing those wages to

      which they thought they were entitled , yet it could not but be regarded as a great calamity to find such a state of things existing as ; that whioh induced a large number of persons to f withdraw from those pursuits |« f honest industry , ] bj which alone themsolres and families could be sustained . The charge which he made against the defendant , Mr * O'Neil , was , that having other views to serve , and other schemes to put into practice than that of the disputes between the masters and their men , he had watched the opportunity of aggravating those 1 grievances , by inducing the men to leave their work ; and when the calamity ; haa been greatly ; increased—when tho whole of society in that neighbourhood bad bnen disorganised and broken up—when hundreds of

      persona were traversiqg the country , cast out of work , and their minds incensed against those , above them , that the defendant thought that a fitting time , for those who had certain great political schemes to accomplish , to turn a looal dispute to their own service , and to enlist tbe passions and sufferings of those who were in such a state of destitution , for the purpose of afterwards producing , not by fair discussion , bat by inflammatory speeches , such a movement on behalf of the Charter , that would strike dismay into those who did not concur in such a change . Mr . O'Neil , ( who was a gentleman , he believed , residing at Birmingham , but was uot engaged in any of the trades carried on in that neighbourhood ) attended a meeting at Wcs'bromwioh , in August last , at which

      several thousand cblliers , who were about to strike work , were present . The effects of that meeting were most disastrous , because ' immediately afterwards large bands of men went begging through the country—the state of society became didorgunhod , and more or less terror prevailed . AviotSicr meetiRg Jwas held at Westbrpmwich on tbe 20 lp . ot August , ] at whioh M ? . O'Neil was not proseiit , bin it was announced that he would be at a meeting at Rowley Regis on the 26 th . That meeting took place ; it was attended by peveral hundreds of colliers who were out of work . The meeting was announced to take place in the neighbourhood of tie works or tho British Iron Company , and the greatest alarm was felt by those who had the management of the works ill

      of that large body of ironmasters . Air , Bransneld tooknotesNrf the address of . jthe principal speaker , Mr . O'Neil , and would , therefore , bo the principal witness ¦ against the defendant . - Mr . O'Neil did aot come unprepared to this me > ting . When he was subsequently apprehended at another meeting , there were lifty or sixty printed hand-bills found in his possession , the contents of which would be beyond all doubt evidence for their ooiibiderauoa as to the object with which the language that he ( Mr . Sergeant Talfourd ) had referred to was uttered . He sabmitted that the expressions in those band-bills ( which they would find remarkably tallied with those which Bflr . O'Neil used in his address oa the 26 th of August ) were not the expressions of a sanguine

      orator , led beyond his purpose by the circumstances of the time , but that they were the deliberate doctrines wfiich he had come to teach . Joseph Bran 88 eld—I am an accountant in the employ of tjhe British lion Company i I attended a meeting at the Five Ways on the 26 th of August . Arthur O'Niel , the deferdant , was there . I heard what he said . He asked whether that was the time for the masters to reduce their wages , when trade wag reviving ?! He said , ; I have myself been a close observer , and I know trade is improving . I know by inquiries of the carriers at vhe railways ; the banks are more free in their discounts ; they are relaxing the screw . " He also said , I consider the Government as in one largo rooro , with an air pump . When the pump is first applied the inconvenience is not generally felt . At last some one near the window feels the want of air ; He goes to the win *

      dow , and finds a Duke of Wellington with his great sword , who prevents him from opening it . He gets to another , and finds an Archbishop of Canterbury , who keeps out the air with « i surplice } to another , and he < finds a lawi ^ whot stops it with his wig . The whole ey 6 tem la ^ corrupt . The House of Commons is rotten . " In speaking of the Rouse of Commons , he asked , " of what it was composed fesgg lawyets-f-do they care for the . people ! Of cut-tbi « a sentlemen , I mean miHtary f officers—ao they cam for the people ! Of foi-huntipg ^ gentlemen—do 'iney oareforTtho peopled He stated that" there was once » king who attempted ioj lay > poll-tax—a polltax is a tax paid by every hiBad- ^ and a countryman of mine , ' one Wat Tybr , re 8 ia | ed the tax , and killed the collector . From that time to the present no Governme nli dared to impose a tax upon each individual . " I know nothing tttorelof the speeoh . Benjamin Best said that in July the men were peaceable , but in August they were alarmed and kbwilling to work .

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      A constable named Fmitheman , said ho foand npwatds of sixty pUicards in the defendant ' s ^^ possession , declaring that ihe rights and liberties of Engliflhmen were trampled upon ; Aat Englishmen were enslaved ; that tfcewjpower had been forcibly taken from them ; and declaring , that the falinR power had filched the just and constitutional pnviles ; e 8 of tWpeoplejand that | theiefote , thejieiused to pay Charles Small said ; that the defendant , in addressing the meeting , told the men that tho income tax tQok 7 d a pound away from the master , and the master in return hadjfallen back upon the workman's wages ; he said that { iron had risen a pound a ton ,

      and was that a time to reduce men ' s wages !—that the House of Commons was rotten and corrupt , and that Peel was a pnbiio robber . The defendant addressed tbe jury . He said be was justified in the language he used on the 26 th of Adgust , when he said the Governmenfc was not a good GoTernmeni . He was now bf the same opinion , and that no allegiance was due to them , and , moreover , that neither tribute or taxes ought to be paid to them . The defendant said he f « lt tbat be should be convicted , and he I was prepared for the punishment , whatever it might be ; but he should not be cowed in spirit , and ho would again fight tbe enemy . At the elose of the defendant ' s address the trial was

      postponed till Satdkday , Acg . 12 . * , * At cine o ' clock the Learned Judge took his seat upon ; the bench , andj the defendant forthwith commenced the examination of his witnesses . Thefirsi witness he called opon was a Baptist preacher from the neighbourhood of jCradeley , but on tie oath being proposed to him be | declined taking it . The court refused to admit his evidence . The defendant then oalled a witness who deposed to the peaceful character of the defendant on all occasions , but , when onlcross examination by Mr .

      Sergeant Talfourd , | he aamitted that he nearatnevery words employed which proved the subject of the indictment . j ,, . , t * , . The Rev , Mr . Stokes , of Westbromwich , wbo had been with the defendant at six different meetings , also spoke to tbe fact , tbat tbe addresses of O'Niel were calculated rather to restrain the psople from violence than to induce them to the commisBion of it . This being the case for the offence , . Mr . Sergeant Talfoubd addressed the jury ma speech at great length , in whioh be contended that the prinoipal enormity of the defendant consisted in Mb having made an enthusiastic religiouB profession the cloak to his political machinations .

      Mr . Justice Williams summed op at considerable length , and tbe juryjbavinjs consulted for not more than two minutes , returned a verdict of Guilty . The Learnd Judge ] then passed the sentence of twelve months' imprisonment in the county gaol of Stafford .

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      Subject— " Organization , and how to obtain the Char ter . " At the close of his lecture , the meeting gave aa unanimoHS vote ofthanfca to ^ ^ himfor haying ytefod Aberdeen , and expressed an earnest wish , thai he would revisit the capital of the North .

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      TO THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND . •« rEBLAND FOB IHB IBISH . " Fbilow-Cqvvtryxbn , —Although I haw upon former occasion , used tbe above quotation from the lip * of M « O * ConneU , and I hop © proved bejphA the possibility of a doubt that this hackneyed wntence Is but a dap-trap to catch the unwary and invincibly ignorant , I cannot refrain from again returning to tha subject . : ' " . ' - ¦ ¦ " : It will be remembered that J stated , tn » t unlessUniversal Suffrage accompanied a Repeal of the Union , Irishmen wonld reap the fruits of bitter disappointment . This opinion Ijstill hold ; and anxious to arouse the Irish nind to inquire for itself , and open their eye « to the fallacy of their seeking Repeal without also aeefeing political power which alone can render it beneflcial , I would , with your permlsion , point out the jneana which NOW your duty to your country and yourselves imperatively demand you to adopt

      It will be remembered that Chartiata have been vilified for their oppoaitiou to the Whigs , upon the plea that they placed the enemies of Ireland and Catholics' in power ; the Irish people forgetting that the Whigs , upon all occasions , ^^ were not only their bitter , bat base and treacherous eneanies ; m Witness " their ten years ' administration . Forgetful of this , with glaring fscte before theU eyes , with the reeklngawbrd and flaming faggot exhibited to their memory , and the cries and tears of widows and of orphans ringing in their ears , they biindly , nay , madly , joined la the denunciations uttered against the true friends of humanity who had the courage to pluck the 'teeth' * foomthe ^' wolf , '' who under " sheep ' s clothing" bad feasted and fattened on their industry and their blood . Well , tbii point has been often and successfully defended upon principles of truth an * justice , which always ww , in , and ever will be InyinciWe 1 If any cirenmatanee was required to prove the connection of

      Mr . O'Coimell and your leaders with the Whigs , the fact of their wincing bo much under the lash of Chartiat public strength and opinion completely sonflrms it ; for had they bad a sincere desire to truly serve the interests ef the Irish people , or were , a * they pretended , in favour of a "fillmeasure" of reform , they could not have consistently found fault with the elevation of the Tories , knowing , as they must , wbbb xhet HoNESX , that it would be easier to battle with one enemy than two . But it is n « w a matter of certainty that Whigs thet WfiBB at that period , whatever new-fangled character they may have assumed to themselves since ; and here it may not be improper to ask , waatclas 8 they po bealli belong to , or what political or technical name would be most applicable to those canting declalmers against il Tory tyranny" and " Ohartist physical force ? " Tories they are not for certain , ( at least in name ); although th 6 y are Tories in point of despotic authority , exercised over the will awl reason of their deluded victims .

      Chartists they are not honest or patriotic enough to be , or they would at once strike at the root of the evil of which they complain , by laying the axe of Universal Suffrage to tbe trunk from which that evil has sprung , and from which it continues to draw its baneful strength . Then what are they ? Are they Whigs ? Eh ? What are they ? Can nobody tell ? What , Whigs ? Impossible ! Monstrous I ! They are no such thing ! !! O'Connell has cut their acquaintance , and bid eternal adieu to the hypocrites f Bravo , Dan 11 "More power to you" ! t ! You did right to kick them out of your esteem , and I hope , now Ireland has got rid of them , somebody , suppose it was even O'Higgins ' a ' ¦ gentleman in black" and sky-blue , will take them to govern bis unruly subjects , or employ them .

      as they may be found useful . I assure you I would , not , as an individual , have any particular objection to where they may chose to emigrate ; for I , and I believe all , are alike sick of ' their company . It appears , then , that your leaders are neither Tories , Cfcattiate , or Whigs . ' Irishmen , "what are they ? Are they Socialists ? No ! That would be against conscience ? Are they Catholics ? Not For they lack charity ! Are they any thing you can give a name to 1 Yes ; they ate Repealers—Repealers of the Fnionl I don't believe a word of it J They are no tuch thing ! O'Connell is NOT a Repealer . I deny it de / ado . I challenge him to prove it , or that Ms present mode of seeking Repeal will ever be successful .

      Can you not open your eyes to facts as plain as the noon-day sun ? or will you in the face of heaven stultify and degrade yourselves by refusing to exercise yeur reason , even for a moment , upon matters of such importance to your interests ! Shame upon yon Irishmen , that will not inquire what you hurrah and pay your shillingfor , or ask yourselves the question , will our shouting and our shillings procure such blessings as are needful and which are so lavishly promised ! Will only one section of you , say the carpenters , who are to be covered with their chips , " ask , when are we to have such lots of " shavings" ? How are they to come ? Yes . that is the word ! '' ¦ How ? For if you know the how , the when will surely follow ! Then how is it 9 Why you say , by the "hext sxeeI" AhPaddyl if the

      mext STEP be what it promises to be , or should it ba like your former steps , you will make but a sorry douce of it , although you may boast load enough that you have " paid the piper" very handsomely forhis labour on * the drone . You have been well drilled in tha ait of " stepping "—now right , now left- ^ -now backwards ; but did your " drill-sergeant" ever teach you to make one proper stride in advance ? Have you ever taken one step in the pbopbb , direction ; orwere you not used as " stepping stones '' npon Which those very leaders walked into power , and when there forget the services you had done them ? Who can deny it ? I will fling Cbartism to the winds the instant you can prove to the contrary ; but until such proof be given , I will hold your leaders responsible for every future misery which it may be your misfortune to suffar !

      Then it iB clear , and "he that runs may read , " that you are not to have " Repeal" by the agency of either Toryism , CbarUsm , Wbiggism , Socialism , Catholicism , or by any other ISM , save Repealiam ; and this is , as you must be convinced , the least powerfol in its pbs-SENTformof any other isx in existence . You have denounced " physical force "» iSK ; and consequently " American'MSM and *« French " -ISM are mere shadows of smoke , which may help to blind , but are soon lost in vapour , and scattered by tbe " wild winds' of Heaven . " All those isms are , therefore , nothing more ttian isms and all you have to expect , if yeu persist in your present mode of agitation will be those ishs with which you have had too long to contend ; they will be " misery" . iSH » 'fpoverty " -iSM , and eternal " slavery" -ism .

      Irishmen , I confess I have not patience to write about such thing as these , when I reflect that your apathy and blind indifference to your country and Interests gives not only power to your enemies to oppress you , but opportunities for political adventurers to fleece you , of the only remnants of your rights by impoBing on your credulity . Of all the slaveries to which man is subject : from his fellows , that of yielding bUnd obedience to the dictates of Others is assuredly the most disgusting ; by doing so you divest yourselves of the nobleat prerogative of maa and acknowlege yourselves incompetent to judge betwixt the relative posi * tions of right and wrong . Why then , I ask , do you

      not shake off this disgrace from your shoulders ? Have I . not shewn you tbat without political power Repeal would be a curse , and can you not see that so far as you are ocqaiated with the spirit of the Repeel movement , Universal Suffrage , which alone is the political power you should possess , to render Repeal a blessing , iaso far from being recommended by your leader , that it is actually scooted from his political creed ? Are you not worthy to vote for a parliamentary candidate to represent you in the House of Commons ; if not , why compel you to fight and pay for the support of the state ? If you are worthy , why hesitate to demand what is your birthright ; and what is sanctioned by the constitution of these realms ?

      O'Connell may " blarney" you as long as you permit him ; bat I tell you a day will come when the scales will and must fall from your eyes ; and when O'Connell , like other men , will be weighed in the balance of public opinion ; and if in that day hla present acta are not found wanting , should I then be alive and you remember , 1 will give my life as a forfeit . I ask why shu * a about the suffrage , or who or what shall have it ; whether stones or mortar or men ; whether married men or single ; whether •' batchelobs" or " tiroMEN " when he knowain his heart-that all are useless , senseless ^ and vicious burkings of the question . Canyou not Bee that even in these multifaiieus named Bujfirages be is incon * eistent , standing to no one point , but flying from one post to another , to prop himself against the attacks of

      uncompromising justice which will not be hood winked , and clinging with desperate tenacity to bia old and profitable institutions . Leave himi unless he changes hisposition l—Leave Mw ; I warn yon in time , bat yoo may find it too late ; but leave him not if he is wise enough to adopt rt XJnlversal SufirHge , * aa hla motto . Remember it is as mnch your duty to warn him of danger , and to set him right , as it la his to council you . Place such opinions . a » these before your friends , and I have not the least doubt of the most beneficial xesult ; but above all remember , you can never , after Mr . O'ConneU's rejection of the Whigs , attempt to give them your suffrage . He has declared them to be his and Ireland ' s enemies , therefore yon must bare don « with them . ,-

      I have shewn yon Repeal without the condition o € Universal Suffrage would be a curse instead of a blessing ; and further , that your present mode of obl « ining it in certain to be attendant with faUure an * disappointment ; so knowing this I only ask you to put the question to your bosoms , and If yo » do not admit tiie truth : of what I assert I shall be much mistaken , in tty * estimate of the dispositions of men whom as countrymen , I love , and for whom I would make , aa a du ^ , any Bacriflce to national and domestic . happineas . ' Rally , for Repeal and the Charter , and let your cry be "No Surrender . " ; * I am , fellow countrymen , * Your faithful servMtt , W . H . CtrexON

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      THE REVEREND WILLIAM HILL AT ABERDEEN . Mr . Hill having given notice of bis intention to come to Aberdeen cm Tuesday evening week , by the steam boat from Leitb , a cons ' . derable degree of interest was manifest among the working classea who bad it in their power to meet him . Accordingly several hundreds were assembled en the Pier . jand at half-past four o ' clock the boat hove in sight , and being in low water tide , came to an anchor in the bay , wh « n as is usual on auch occasions , tbe goods and j passengers ate landed by small luggage boats which are kept in readiness for that purpose . At five o ' clock , j the anxiously looked-for gentleman set bis foot upon the soil of AberdeenBhlre , and cordially sheok hands ! with the deputation appointed to meet , and convey him to his lodgings . A circumsUnce occurred , just as Mr . Hill landed , which created a good deal of sport and may not be oat of place , to be

      here mentioned . A knot of fisher wives were noticed to be huddled together in ] earnest conversation . Curiosity led some of one friends close to them in order to ascertain what they might ] be talking about , when one of the wives eagerly inquired , " What had brought so many people down ? " 1 She was answered , "to see a Chartist ; wbo bad just landed from the steam boat . " ' Christ hae watsa 'oer usa , " said the wife , " Is there anither Chaitist landed ? " and immediately hurried away to have a look at him , just as the carriage drove off in which Mr . HUlj was seated . Same evening , at eight o'clock , the council who were joinedby several of the warmest friends of Mr ; O'Connor , met Mr . Hilt in the ball , 38 , Q-eorge-Btreeti when be announced that he was no longer editor of the Star , and went over the causes which led to nis ex-editorship . At the sametime he intimated , that ; he would still continue to work with and for tbe people , in that paper as a correspondent ; and that bis articles would always carry k-is

      uaiua at the bottom of them . TEE SOIRBE . A Boiree in honour of Mr . Hill ' visit to Aberdeen was held in St . Andrew-street Chapel , on Wednesday evening . The meeting , which was pretty numerous , elected Mr . John Legge to the chair . After the good things which were provided for the occasion had been rendered indlscernable , the chairman rose , and in a few brief remarks introduced the first sentiment" The People . " This was spoken to in a first-rate style by Mr . M'Pherson , who dilated at considerable length on the manifold sufferings which bad been inflicted on them in all known ages of the world by the interested few , who , even in our time , like their predecessors , feesp their unholy grasp , in spite of every warning . He concluded by hoping that ja brighter era was neat at hand , when men ia all countries would unite with one accord , and unshackle themselves of those despotic laws with Which they are so disgracefully bound .

      The Chairman then gave the next sentiment , " Union . " This was handled by Mr . Henry In hia usual brief , concise , and free stile . He contended for an Organization based upon a simple and easily to be understood scheme , to be forthwith adopted , and which Organizition ought to embrace England , Ireland , and Scotland in one bond of union , ^ Hb an executive to transact its genetal business . Her referred to a variety of cases where seotional unions had failed , and concluded * noble speech by calling on the people to unite with b . fl * m determination toj catry the Charter in spite Of all opposition , which he said was only confined to those who sheltered themselves behind the Treasury benches , and were rioting upon the fruits of tho people ' s industry , j The Chairman thenjgave " The guest of the evening , " which was received with every mark of respect

      Mr . H then rose ] and after a few introductory remarks , announced that be bad ceased to have editorial connexion with the Siar ; and read a letter which has appeared iu last week's ' publication of tbat paper . He dwelt on the causes which gave rise to his separation with Mr . O'Connor , and assured the meeting that no Ill-will or malice existed between him aud that gentlensan . That be would ! go hand in hand with Mr . O'Connor , and any man who did not deal sufetilly with the cause of the people ! He sat down with the strongest marks of approbation . The Chairman then Introduced Mr . Archibald M'Donald , who spoke [ to the sentiment , "The exiled patriots . " Mr . M Donald , in his usual forcible manner , drew a sad picture of the sufferings of a vast number

      of patriots who have suffered in bygone days for the cause of the people , and of those virtuous men in the present day who are immured in loathsome dungeons for having spoken the truth . Little or nothing is heard of them , except a solitary cry here and there for help to their famishing wives and offspring ; and ibis , said Mr . M'Donald , is not responded , to by the people with that evenhandod justice , and Christian feeling , as it ought to be . After haying solicited immediato aid in behalf of all those suffering for the cause of the people , he sat down , evidently ^ having made a deep impression npon the ninds of the audience . Tbe Chairman save the last sentiment of the

      evening— " The Prees " ---to which Mr . Robert Lowery responded . He adverted to the good or evil which the Press could do ; and showed , that among & truly enlightened people , a vile and corrupt press could not long exist ; that the press in this country generally represented private interests , and is in too many cases solely set agoing for base , venal , and selfish purposes . He contrasted the press of this country with that of other nations ; particularly that of the slave states in America ; clearly . showing the vile and ' pernicious effects it had on tha mind * of the people there , when it wrought as an under-current against the establishment Of freedom . J Of freedom . i

      g Daring the intervals , the band played a variety of popular airs ; among these was a tune , composed by Mr , Alexander Murrayffor the occasion , entitled " The R « v . William Hill ' s welcome to Aberdeen . ' * TheCHAiKMAN cloMdstlie business of the meeting with a short address , after which three hearty cheers Were giten for the Charter , and its true advocates . The married and sedate retired to their beds of rest , while the lightsome hearted and gleeaome of both sexes adjourned to thef ball room , 38 , George-street , where they joined In the merry dance , and "crow'd and cleekit " untilthreeb'cloek , IK TBJJBSDAY . —Mr . Hill lectured in the Chapel , St . Andrew-street , to a nuaerou ? and respectable audiebce .

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      In relation to this trial we have received the following from our London correspondent , who waa present in Court : — Tott will find in the Times a report of the case " O'Connor versus Lawson . " This report is pretty correct , with tbe exception of the feeling manifested in the Court This was decidedly in favour of the plaintiff . Daring the delivery of the extreme partizan address of Mr . Thesiger , it was the general opinion that he far outstepped his duty as an advocate , and made hia professional station a cloak for the expressien of sentiments towards Mr . O'Connor , which in his private

      capacity be would not have dared to uEter . Hie manner , when speaking of his joy at having been instru < mental in getting Mr . O'Connor ejected from the House of Commons , and of his hope that he should ultimately see him destroyed , was so bitter and violent that the disapprobation of the Court was audibly expressed . The feelings and prejudices of tbe Jurors may be gathered from the fact tbat one of them , previous to retiring , hesitated not to express in open Court HIS DETERMINATION TO BE LOCKED UP A WEEK BATHER THAN CONSENT TO ANY DAMAGES WHICH WOULD ARRY COSTS ( ! YoUfS , T . M . Wheeler .

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      { i , T H E NOB T H E TVp 1 S TAR , | , , ^ ^^ , :.

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      Concerning this trial we have the following from a private friend , who waa at Stafford , and heard the trial : —? ' IMr . O'Neil waa tried here yesterday and this morning . His trial is just finished ( half-past twelve o ' clock ); and I am sorry to sayj he is found guilty—( as you may suppose)—and sentenced to ba imprisoned twelve calendar months . He made a most excellent defence , 00 far as speaking truths of a ! most disagreeable kind to the jury and counsel , and ( in particular to S . J . Williams ,

      who tried him , went . jHe caused bis Lordship much uneasiness , when he mentioned tbe Dorchester Labourers , and said , " Tbou | att the man" who tried them also ! ' He also said , " if Judges could meet together to raise their wages , he could see no harm In colliers doing so . " The whole of the counsel round tbe table tittered at this palpable hit ; but bis Lordship looked very grave . The feeling of his Lordship was evinced la not ordering the Court to be lighted up , although Mr . O'Neil had been addressing them from twe o ' clock till a quarter before ten . There was ] only two small candles in the court , which I think was on purpose to prevent O'Neil from reading extracts from a book he had , or else to prevent the reporters from taking notes .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 19, 1843, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct495/page/6/