The National Register.
London, England, 1818-01-05 00:00:00

TA' g NATTONAt RIMMTP/1. ;

to Sir F. Burdett, Bart. for his spontaneous offers of co•
operation with the gentlemen originating the subscription in
sttict conformity with a life of pare patriotism and love of
country.
Mr. Walker seconded a motion to this effect♦ which was
carried unanimously.
Sir F. Burdett returned thanks.
Lord Cochrane said, he rejoiced einem.* at witnessing
the strong and unanimous feeling which had called together,
and had been testified by so numerous a meeting. It was a
proud triumph gained fur the canse of •liberty over the sys-
tem of mock trials and packed jnries, which had been so long
the bane and disgrace of the country.
The thanks of the meeting having been then unanimously
voted to Mr. Pearson and Mr. Wooler for their exertions in
bringing to light the abuses attending the system of form-
ing special juries, the former gentleman expressed his ac-
knowledgments for the honour done him. He observed that
he was hut a young soldier in the cause, and the notice taken
of him was probably intended as a recruiting bounty, but the
bringer on such an occasion was usually deemed to he entitled
to the highest reward ; and as Mr. Hone was the bringer, he
hoped the custom would not be forgotten.
Here Mr. Wunler was loudly and generally called •for : but
as he did not immediately appear, Mr. Sturch came forward,
after a few apologies for the obtrusion of his own opinions,
which were in perfect unison with those already delivered,
observed that he must beg an excuse for one further parody
upon Holy Writ; and it was to express his belief. that a
camel would sooner pass through the eye of a needle, than a
Crown lawyer be an honest man. The object tur which he
rose *vas, however, JIO other than to move a vote of thanks to
their worthy chairman for his conduct in the chair, and the
uniform patriotism and public spirit which his conduct had
displayed.
_

Mr.
M Wooler now presented liimsett to the notice of the
room. The kind interference of the Attorney• General had
been the first means of introducing him personally to their
acquaintance. Having himself experienced the effects of the
law of libel as expounded by lawyers, he could not but feel
happy in perceiving the indignant reprobation with which
such a construction was received by an assembly which from
their numbers and unanimity must Mall fairness be considered
as representing the sense and feelings of the tisetiopolis.—
Tbe absurdity of supposing that the liberty of the preys could
ever be preserved under au arbitrary interpretation of what
was libel, had been happily and ably exposed ; but .mcli was
the to, midablv ware of wigs and gowns, that those who wore
totem were inclined to believe that nothing could be dour or
withstood without them. The whole freedom of the people,
as depending on the frrdom of the press by the general coin.
in 111 l ication of sentiment, could only be maintained by mai ii•
(dining the purity of the trial by July, by a resistance of those
who attempted to overawe or outlet its independent
functions. and by following the bright example which had
been set by Mr. Hone, who nobly told thejudge,.that what he
said on a question of libel was no more than " his opinion."
[Applausej Mr. Hone had been tried three times, as it were,
to verify that moral principle so well expressed by our great
dramatic bard,