The Express.
London, England, 1858-02-18 00:00:00

THE CONSPIRACY BILL

MEETING IN LAMBETH.

Last eveningavery etetWiried public .meeting wee
held at the Horns Tavern, liCesaingtes to protest against
the bill proposed by Lord Palreentes,- ramsoe to con-
spiracy to murder. 111 r. F. DOULTON was Galled to the chair.
Among those on the platform was Mr. Williams, M.P., one
of the representatives for Lambeth.
A letter from Mr. Hormel], M.P., wee read, of which
the Mowing is an extract. After regretting his
to attend, he says :—" I confess to having greater
la the law of authorities es the Chid Justice
and Load Brougham than in the law of the Prime Minister ;
both d whom declare the law to be strong enough sad W-
aded as It at present exists. But even ware it otherwise,
sad It weld be proved (which I deny) that the law relating
to weep rely requires amending, is it to be tolerated for one
moment that this ato be done at the instigation—if not
under the threats—of a foreign power f The proposed altera-
tion may be a simple one, but it is net the less dangerous ; it
is step number one in a wrong direc , • conoede hie, and
demand number two will follow. Satistionfy the requirements
of France, and be assured that other countries will not he
backward in submitting their claims for consideration. I
believe that there is but one feeling of abhorrence in the
minds of Englishman at these repeated attempts to commit
that Masons cease sessisication, and there would have been,
I doubt not, throughout the country, much sympathy mad-
haled towards the Emperor and Empress of Frew°, had it
not been diverted by the bungling of our ministry and the
Impudent braegadodo of the satellites of Louis Napoleon."
The CHAIRMAN said the question they were met to discus
woe not a political one, but a national and social one, being
nothing less than to determine whether we should submit to
a deep insult offered to the people of this country. (Hear,
hear.) He contended that the present law was ample to wed
any requirements sought to be met by the proposed measure,
and no amendment of the law was necessary. (Hear, hear.)
The introduction of this bill was a gross insult to our national
honour. (Hear, hear.) This country had been denominated
in the ihreiteur a den of conspirator., and the people of this
country were said to be the frieds of assassins. To
the despatch which had been sent by France he con-
sidered that a firm, an indignant answer should have
he= gives, tale France that their present ruler had him-
self enjoyed all the privileges which he now sought to have
taken away from less fortunate exiles, and that his demands
would not be seceded to. (Hear, hear.) But Instead of that
the only reply given was the introduction of Lord Palmer-
otos's bill. (Hawes.) The real object of the bill wee to en-
dorse agitate of things at present existiog on the Continent
alms, hair)—and to give Louis Napoleon something to
bade upon by making those around him suppose that
this ceiniay would give him its rapport it necessary.
It this tlll failed—as hit it would—in its operation, even if
Upend lab a law, the result would be that some further
denim! would be made of a similar or more monstrous nature
—(hear, Boer)—end so things would go on until at lest the
freed= of the press would-los objected to by foreign despots
and be attempted to be infringed. Let them, therefore, nip
this attempt in the bud, and show the futility of all such
efforts to introduce despotism amongst us. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. GooDAFin moved the first reeolution—. That this
meeting is of opinion that Lord Palmerston's Conspiracy Bill
is unnecessary, and that any attempt to pass a measure at
the present time, In consequence of foreign menace, is =-
dignified and contrary to the spirit and usage of the British
nation ; and the meeting pledges itself to oppose the same by
every_ constitutional mean,."
Mr. KNIO HT ecoondedtheresOlution with some warmth, and
deprecated this attempt to subvert our rights. Lord Pal-
merston in this affair had shown himself to be the servant of
Louis Napoleon, but he would see that he was not muter of
the English people, and that they would dismiss him and his
me sere with all the opprobrium they deserved.
Mr. WiLttsus, M.P. said ho had already shown his
objection to the proposed bill by opposing it on its first intro-
duction. (Hoer.) They were not met to show the people
of Fromm that we were not, as resented
wee outed in the Moniker
the friends of smaseination—(hear —for our nation w too
well understood, in his opinion, y the people of France to
render say not defence necessary. (Hear, hear.) With
regard to the Conspiracy Bill, the first lawyers of the day
had declared the present law in reference to the crime of
conspiracy to be amply sufficient, and therefore no legislation
on the subject was required. (Cheers.) The bill, iI passed,
would be inoperative' and would not add to the security of
the Emperor of the French one lots, notwithstanding that
we might have French spies here in abundance. Meta,
hear.) This was the only country in Europe which afforded
an oeoeyylent to foreigners of all conditions of life, and all the
pot ststes of France for the last half century had availed
themselves of this privilege' including the present Emperor.
(Hear, hear.) The prerentdemand, therefore, was most un-
grscious, and ought to be resisted with the firmness and in-
dignation for which it called. (Cheers.) He believed that
the French people. however, were not in favour of such a
bill. (Hear.) For himself he considered any such conces-
sion wee most dishonourable to this country, and he would
give it his most firm opposition. (Cheers.)
The resolution uses then put to the meeting, and carried
with two dissentients amidst loud applause.
Mr. HILL moved the next resolution—" That the thanks
of this torstlene be given to Kr. Roebuck and the other
honourable members who voted with him, for their manly
opposition
to Lord Pahneston's treacherous and humiliating
lieY."
A =se of great confoeion and uproar here took place on
the attempt of one of those who had expressed (Haunt to the
previous motion to address the meeting, the feeling of the
smiting being against hearing him. At the request of the
chairman, however, the gentleman who gave hie name as
Mr. WARUZX addressed the meeting amidst MOW inter-
ruptions, declaring that the law of this country was not, as
It at present stands, 'anciently stringent on the crime of
conspiracy.
The seems, however, which took place was one of inde-
scribable uproar.
Mr. HOODVN, a working man, amulet] the resolution,
which having been spoken to by Mr. A. B. Richards and
sound other gentlemen, was carried unanimously.
A petition to parliament was lima adopted against the bill,
and a vote ofdnks having been given to the chairman, the
proceedings inated.

MOVEMENT IN LIVERPOOL AGAINST THE ALIEN
is proposed to hold • public meeting in Liverpool
early salt week, expressive of sympathy with the sentiments
of Mr. Roebuck in reference to the Allen Bill. There is a
strong feeling against the bill in Liverpool, and as the meet-
ing in gumlike has originated with the officials of the various
municipal wards, it is likely to be very numerous and unani-
mous in its tone against the government.

TH m 42 aff OP PIRRIPB HOUSE IN
BIRMINOILLM

At the Birmingham Watch Committee on Tuesday.
Mr. E. C. Osborne introduced the subject of the search of
Pierer, house by reminding the chairman that he had pledged
himself to have some inquiry on the subject instituted.
The Chairman said he mut not aware he had too pledged
himself, but he was quite ready to take upon himself the
duty of making the requisite inquiry, though it was probably
rather the duty of the mayor to take up the question.
Mr. Osborne—All we want to know in the first instance is
simply whether the chief superintendent had any legal
ty for entering the house in Bath-row, and removing
certain papers. Being our servant, there can be no doubt
we have power to put the question.
The Chairman—He doubt of that, and with the leave of
the committee I shall do en. You are aware, Mr. Stephens,
that a good deal of conversation has taken plans in the town
regarding your right to enter Pierre@ house and search it. I
want to know whether you did enter it, and if you did, under
whose authority you did so?
Mr. Stephens—As I am threatened with an action I had
better reserve my derma% but of course the committee will
understand that I mean no offence to them. (Hear.)
The Town Clerk said that if the Chief Superintendent was
threatened with an action it would not be fair to ask him say
question that might effect his defence.
Mr. Osborne tinewbt they might infer that Mr. Stephens
had no authority. However this might be, the committee
were hound to take some notice of • matter affecting the
liberty at the subject. In the opinion of some, Mr. Stephens
might be justified in the moires he took, but is his (Mr.
Osbwee's) opinion no man had a right to take such pr
tags mikes he obeyed the (Hem) He did not wish to
censure the Chief Superintendent, butbaths thought some such
resolution as the following should be adopted —"That this
committee, having occasion to believe that the Chief Superin-
tendent entered the premium of M. Pierri, situate in Batb.row,
and took therefrom certain pipers and correspondence, with-
out having fir.t, obtained the necessary legal authority
for so doing, hereby records its opinion that the Chief
Superintendent has by such conduct been guilty of a
violation of the law, which secures to every restdent in
this cotintry the right of protection to his person and
PmiParlY:
he Chairman sold be thought they should not, after
Mr. Stephens's answer, assume that he had or had not a
warrant.
Mr. Osborne—lf be had a warrant he could not hesitate
saying so for a moment, u that would be sufficient answer
to any action.
Alderman Lloyd thought they should look at the question
in • common seam way. If an atrocious murder were com-
mitted in London, and Mr. Stephens received intellis
that the accused had lived in Birmingham, would he be
j _mantled in searching that person's house without a weenie',
if the delay of an hour or two beano, • matter of import.
saes? If he would do so in respect of a London murder,
why not in respect of one committed. at Paris ?
Mr._ Dee said that in Birmingham and elsewhere premises
were daily searched without warrants. If they passed Mr.
Osborne's resolution they would plain the pollee in • difficult
position.
The Chairman repeated his opinion, that after the answer
of Mr. Stephens it would be unfair either to blame or to
justify him. When the action was tried then would be the
time to agree to an expression of opinion.
Mr. Cutler said he thought they were bound to enter upon
an inquiry in We matter, as they were trusted to some ex-
tent with the liberties of their fellow burgesses. They ought
to asoartein whether Mr. Ste hees acted In this matter as
their servant, or the servant of somebody else. If he had
acted is the ordinary course of law there could be no objection
to his saying so. If had acted in an extraordinary manner,
or under extraneous authority say under the authority of
the government, the committee ought to know that fact,
in order that they might know what control they had
over their own servants. Matters were now armada an
' sioniag appear's." One can bad ben