The Sun.
London, England, 1848-07-08 00:00:00

Ebtrb

LATEST FROM PARIS.

M. SENARD, Minister of the Interior, has issued
circulars to all the Prefects, cautioning them against
suffering anything in the shape of Propagandism to
take place. All the foreign legions—the Poles per-
haps excepted—now in France are to be dissolved.
Everything, in fact, is to be done to prove good faith
and a sincere desire to remain at peace on the part of
the French Government.

THE CHARTIST TRIALS.

CRIMINAL COURT.-(TILLS DAY.)

OLD COURT.
TRIAL OF LOONEY.

Chief Justice Wilde took his seat on the bench at
ten o'clock.
Francis Looney, aged 34, described in the calendar
as a cabinet maker, was then placed at the bar, charged
with sedition, and attending an illegal assembly at night.
The prisoner pleaded not guilty.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL stated the case against the
prisoner. The language complained of was uttered at
a meeting of Irishmen in the Chartist-hall, Blackfriars-
road. About 300 persons were present. The object of
the speech was to bring the Government into contempt,
and to even endanger the safety of the
Constitution itself by establishing armed clubs to me-
nace it. More dangerous or more destructive doctrines
which had their origin on the other side of the water
could not be conceived. He would read his speech, and
without comment, leave the matter entirely in their
hands. The Learned Attorney-General did so. Its
purport will be found below.
The following witnesses were then called :
Mr. William Cormsell, short-hand writer, was then
examined by Mr. WELSBY—He attended a meeting on
the evening of the sth of June at the Chartist Ball,
Webber-street, B!acklriar's.road, and took notes of the
proceedings. He got there about five minutes to eight.
When he went first, about 200 were present, but
the number increased as the proceedings went on to
from 300 to 400, mainly of the lower orders. There
were some women. The majority were Irishmen. The
witness then read the different speeches from his notes,
Looney was announced by the chairman as the secre-
tary of the Davis Club. He said he came down from
other clubs to assist in forming one in that neighbour-
hood, as he understood they were disposed to organise
for the purpose of obtaining freedom. He had great
hostility to Lord John Russell, and was his most prac-
tical opponent in London. It was his practice to go
into every neighbourhood and to endeavour to make
Englishmen and Irishmen dissatisfied with the Govern-
ment. The resolution he had come to move was to the
effect, as God made arms, that it was his duty to arm.
lie was an advocate of moral force. Let them not
misunderstand him; he was for moral force as far as it
could be reasonably carried; but the Government had
shoe n themselves invulnerable to persuasion. Be ad-
vised those who had the means to buy guns and pistols,
and those who were poor to buy pikes,. which they could
do at from ls. to 15.6 d. each. He advised them to adopt
the advice of their master, Mitchel, who had been expa-
triated by the Government. He was a republican in
heart and soul. If a policeman struck him he should
strike no one else. The House of Lords was a pack of
robbers. None of the harvest should be allowed to leave
Ireland until all the people had been fed outright. He
denounced the aristocracy, and advised them to dissem-
minate these principles among their wives, children, and
neighbours. Equally violent speeches were delivered at
the meeting.
(Un the application of Mr. Wilkins, the trial of Ernest
Jones was postponed until Monday, in consequence of
the serious indisposition of his wife.)
Cross-examined by Mr. KENEALY (who appeared for
the prisoner)—The object of the meeting was to enrol
members of a club, to be called the " Mitchel Confede-
rate Club," for the purpose of aiding in the repeal of the
Union. Was seen taking notes, and had every facility
afforded him for that purpose. The prisoner was present
when the resolutions advising the people to arm was re-
commended. He would swear that he sat down after
passing the resolution. His clerk and Mr. Toogood at-
tended. There was not the least disturbance.
Mr. Kemmis produced the record of the conviction of
John Mitchel.

Mr. KENEALY objected to its reception, on the ground
that there was no proof that the prisoner had identified
himself with the doctrines of Mr. Mitchel.

The Learned JUDGE considered the evidence ought to
be received. The prisoner had referred at the meeting
to the "beautiful doctrine" promulgated by John Mitchel.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL then read the words, for
the utterance of which John Mitchel was found guilty.
This was the case for the prosecution.
Gray, a police constable, was called at the request of
KENEALY, and proved arresting the prisoner at
the Chartist-hall, Dean-street, Soho. There was
a disposition to rescue him, but the prisoner said
" Policeman, they are no friends of mine ; the first mar;
that strikes you knock him down."
Mr. KENEALY then addressed the jury on behalf of
the prisoner. He said he had been long acquainted with
the family of the prisoner, and could state, from his own
knowledge that he had ever well conducted himself.
The CHIEF JUSTICE interrupted the Learned Counsel
by saying it was quite irregular for counsel to give
evidence in favour of their clients. No opportunity
presented itself of cross-examining such a witness, and
the practice, if allowed in this case, would soon become
a precedent.
Mr. KENEALY submitted that Mr. Erskine had fre-
quently so acted, and he had never read that he had
been reproved by the judges. He then went on to say,
that he had been informed that his arguments with re-
spect to repeal would be to-day watched with the eye of
a lynx.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL—(With much warmfb)—
How dare you, sir, make such an assertion. Some friend
of yours may have made such an observation, but I
would not condescend to do so. I ask you, sir, how you
dare make such an observation ?—(Considerablcsurprise.)
Mr. KENEALY appealed to his Lordship, if he had
used any language but that which ho was perfectly
justified ?
The CHIEF JUSTICE said, perhaps, he had not. It
arose out of what some one had whispered to him, and
as be openly made such an assertion, he must expect to
have it denounced.
A juryman asked the Learned Judge if such observa-
tions were not altogether extraneous?
The CHIEF JUSTICE said they were.
Mr. KENEALY then went on to demand the grounds
on which the Attorney-General had placed the charge
of riot in the indictment. It was a monstrous and a
groundless charge, and he trusted he would abandon it.
He was at a loss to understand why those who professed
Chartist principles were to be drugged, into a criminal
court, and severely punished. He was no advocate of
the doctrine of passive obedience, because the Crown
might be guilty of all manner of tyranny and yet be
left unpunished because the Crown could do no
wrong. He could not subscribe to any such doc-
trine. Let them recollect that the great revo-
lution of 1688 was not the less glorious or the