The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-21 00:00:00


of ability and power, of mind and intellect, such as might
well rebuke the overweening vanity of competition, un-
less the individual who waged it was thoroughly imbued
with the conviction that such competition was both use.
ful and honourable.—(Hear, and cheers.) My esteemed
friend, Mr. Beamish, has already said, as I have also
already stated, and will abide by, namely, that we are
not met for a political purpose.—(Cheers.) It will there-
fore be my duty to avoid all allusion to politics of any
sect or kind —(Hear) Bet there is one great and grand
point on which every m in can meet his fi !low-man
without reference to sect or party, namely, the ground
of our common country.--e(Hear, hear, and cheers.) We
meet here no doubt imbued with feelings of an opposite
nature ; for while it is to me a source of honour and
pleasure, it is also a source of deep pain and sorrow io
think that at a moment when such a distinguished com-
pliment is being paid me that I ale,old come amongst
you at a time when our country is affording such an un-
precedented spectacle of misery as at the present she
presents. But if I feel that, I have presented to my
mind an equally great consolation ; because I have a
belief in that which has been already stated by our ex-
cellent chairman, that it is our lot to have the affairs of
this country administered by a resident nobleman, an
Irishman of practical information and honest intentions;
a nobleman whose wishes and view's are conscientiously
employed to do all in his power to ameliorate the con-
dition of the people.—(Hear, and cheers.) And I
equally believe, whatever we may think here in Ireland
to the contrary, that Ireland has aroused the attention
not only of England. but of all Europe, and that it is
impossible she can fail to call for an interposition from
England that must have the effect of remedying her
wants and distresses.—(Hear, hear.) There are some
things in the circumstances of the present times which,
I verily believe, will have the effect that neces,ity ever
imposes ; things that will teach the people ; will give
them a greater reliance on self-dependence ; will
teach them to look to that as a surer means from
whence to derive sustenance and support, and will,
in the language of the toast, cause good to come
of evil, by exciting them to pursue a course of indus-
trious occupation, which in the end will prove a
blessing, though emanating from the present
awful and disastrous visitation.--(hear, hear.) It d )es
often happen that the brightest dawn will fellow the
darkest night; and out of the misery which I now
lament, as well as all in common do, I trust that such
benefit will succeed as will bring together in friendly in-
tercourse and communication all classes of men, and
teach them to combine and unite all creeds and classes
for the purposes of general and unbiassed benevolence.—
(Hear, and cheers.) I cannot suppose that such is an
improbable conclusion to arrive at when I find here,
even in my own humble person, that there are occasions
that can combine men of all creeds, and classes, and
parties.—(Loud cheering.) I know also if there be one
cause beyond another which can give unity of sentiment
to my fellow-countrymen, it is the cause of charity and
benevolence, with the sustentation of the miserable and
distressed.—(Renewed and prolonged cheering.) Gen-
tlemen, if this be a dark picture, yet there are many
matters that give me the intensest consolation as to
future prnspects.—(Hear, hear.) I hare watched the
feelings of the country, in which, I may say, I have been
naturalised. I have seen the transitions of public opinion
in that country; and instead of a contemptuous allusion
to this country at present, there is a strong and powerful
feeling in the minds cf all classes and parties, and they
are now beginning to see and believe that the only true
way to make England prosperous is to make Ireland
prosperous also.—(Cheering.) I believe that conviction
to be so thoroughly impressed on the minds of all states-
men, no matter what their politics, that in future, instead
of considering Ireland their greatest difficulty, as placed
in political antagonism with both contending sections,
they will look to it, and regard it as the knitting bond of
unity between men of all creeds, classes, and parties.—
(Hear, and loud cheers.) Think what Ireland would
be if that were effected.—(Hear, hear.) The cry of fa-
mine in Ireland last year was what got up the tocsin's
sound of free trade in England—(Hear, and cheers)—
and that awful visitation of Providence justified the en-
actment of free-trade principles, as also crowned the
efforts of that great and wise Minister who had cbn-
ducted them to their final accomplishment.—(Vociferous
cheering lasted several minute,, mingled with cries of
" Peel, Peel "). The misfortune of Ireland ought to
carry this lesson to the people of England of reciprocal
kindness; for, by the visitation on the food of one country
the peope of the other were enabled to do that, which,
under any other circumstances. they could not have
readily effected.—(Hear, hear.) Owing to the condition
of Ireland, a free commerce has been established that
cannot fail to be the basis of great and enduring pros-
perity in both countries.—(Hear.) And I am delighted
to see that in the present day we live in times when,
thank God, the intelligence of the middle classes is not
alone repesented, but it is the very nucleus and main-
spring from which have emanated those who not only
give laws to England, but who further in France unite
all mercantile interests to hearken to the lectures of free
trade and unshackled commerce such as hare rung
throughout England.—(cheers, and cries of" Cobden.")
All this had been effected by the tnidd'e classe=, and,
therefore, it was the bounden duty of England, when
hailing the great victory of free trade, lately achieved,
to ask herself if anything save the providential visitation
on this country, could have induced all sects and
parties, to have supported and acknowledged
the great principle of free commerce as the basis
of the prosperity of the kingdom ? Let her
ask that, and the conclusion she should arrive at was,
that the visitation on the Irish staple crop had precipi-
tated the result.—(Eleare hear.) All this had arisen
from our misfortunes; and though that consequence has
followed, I do believe it will be for the good of the entire
empire; and that is another reason why we should re.
joice tat the darkness of the hour is passing over us.—
(Hear, and cheers.) And, allow me to say, I can fore-
see the regeneration of this country, and I do believe
that here, and united as we are and combined with
England's prosperity, she will and must come forward
to our assistance.—(Cheers.) nem are many other
matters which occur to my mind that are matters of
congratulation to us. I will avoid all political topics,
but it is not political of me to say I feet that there is a
greater amount of nationality amongst you now than
when I last had the honour to be amongst you.—(Cheers.)
I have been delighted to perceive that there has been a
national literature which has not only struggled into ex-
istence, but arrived at a culminating point amongst you.
—(Hear, and cheers.) In Englatid you have beeu
looked to with a feeling of interest because of the talent of
your works; and you also have shown the fruits of
the impulses of your genius in the manufacturing line;
for now the clank of the hammer of the iron ship•
builder rings on your coast, as will be mentioned in a
subsequent toast—(Hear, and loud cheering)—which
was not the case when I was last amongst you.—(Hear,
hear.) In the matter of iron ship-building—a most im-
portant element, by the way, of commerce—you are
taking a rivalry with England, and claiming by
your competition her acknowledgment of your ability.
—(Loud cheers.) I have seen matters of yours that
have done you honour since I was here last; and it is
delighting to me, and I know you will participate with
me in the feeling, when I inform you that, as regards
the profession to which I h ,ve the honour to belong, a
townsman of yours, the son of Dr. Willis, has been
lately by the most competent authorities admitted to be
the first man at the English bar.—(Loud cheers.) I
have seen in the person of a gentleman who has suc-
ceeded me in the representation of your city that which
has also been vouched to me by the highest and greatest
authority in the land, that it was not alone the publicly
expressed opinion of the late great Premier, but his ad-
mission also within the circle of private friendship and
intercourse, that your representative, Mr. M'Carthy,
made the most distinguished opening speech which that
great man, Sir Robert Peel, had recollected to have
heard for a term of thirty-five years within the walls of
St. Stephen's Chapel.—(Renewed cheering.) I have
seen, and I have known that these distinctions belong
to your city, and that they are esteemed and cherished
by your brethren at the other side, by men whose abili-
ties, I will say, it would nut alone be an honour to emu-
late, but a very difficult matter indeed to attempt to
rival.—(Hear, hear.) I have seen the tone of the press
of the sister kingdom changed; I have seen an extracted
respect paid to yourselves and to your efforts in every
way, whether in the walks of genius or mechanism ;
and, believe me, I was proud to see such promise given
to an earnest elevation and exaltation of the character
of the people of Ireland.—(Hear,, hear, and cheers.)
I am, I repeat, delighted to believe that everything that
has been done in this country, without respect to
political influence, has emated from that germ of
nascent spirit of which as an Irishman I must ever feel
deeply proud.—(Cheers.) All these have been matters
of consideration that have crowded on my mind, as also
matters of consideration to me as an Irishman when
separated from you, and which, I will confess, have
nerved me in my efforts in pursuit of my professional
avocations; for I reflected that, with such brilliant ex
amples as had been set me by my countrymen, I at least
should not prove recreant to such high and exalted
teaching—(Great cheering)—and I was therefore de-
termined to uphold the honour and dignity of my coun-
try in my own person.—(Renewed cheering, that lasted
several minutes.) These, gentlemen, have been matters
of strife with me in my own mind; and, gentlemen, if I
have succeeded in overcoming them, how amply hare I
been repaid, and how large is the recompense I am now
receiving at your hands!—(Cheers.) If, in the language
of the song which accompanied the toast of my name, it
was asked, "Doth not a meeting like this make
amends?" I say in reply, there are no amends to be
made to me.—(" Yes, yes," and cheering.) I think there
exists no reason why amends should be made; and I
think I hold too high a position in your best and kindest
feelings to think for a moment that amends were neces-
sary.—(Hear, hear, and renewed cheering.) But, gentle-
men, if they were to be made, where, I ask, is the weed
of approbation which any public man has ever received
more distinguished—shallm yhee t,s early
friends"
saybymorewhom I
sincere
seean myself
d h e
art
felt—than the present?—(Immense cheering.) It is not
surrounded,shoney but by men whom, in the humility of my
earlier youth, I was taught to honour and respect; by.
let me say, the thousand and one faces that I. now see
looking upon me with the recognition and recollection of
friendship and esteem, and many of whom, though op
posed to me in political feeling, I have ever felt proud
and happy within the varied intercourse of life and ac-
quaintance.—(Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) It is such
recollections as these that make me happy, and teach me

what I hope never to forget—namely, that in an intelli-
gent community, composed of elements however
' chequered, of politics however various, and creeds, how-
ever disc Tdant—(ffear, hear)—there is one great type,
one unmistakeable feature of unity, that is an honest
reverence for independence of character in a public man.
—(Tremendous and prolonged bursts of cheering, which
were several times repeated.) Believe me, Gentlemen,
it was no small sacrifice on my part to relinquish the
honour of being your repress ntative; and many reasons
could have suggested to my mind why I should have
continued as your representative.—(Hear, hear.) I
might, if my vanity and ambition were so strong, have
remained in the representation of your city, and trusted
to the chapter of accidents—(A laugh)—and relied on
the belief that you at least would not have turned me
out after all.—(Deafening cries of " Hear, hear,"
mingled with the most enthusiastic bursts of cheering,
which were prolonged for several minutes.) But still,
Gentlemen, I felt thus much—that it was the bounden
duty of a representative to act in harmony with those
whom he represented; and allow me also to add that the
stern necessity of my position induced me moreover to
retire ; and I know you will be happy to hear, Gentle-
men, that that necessity has not been suffered to go
unrequited.—([Tear, hear, and loud cheers.) My Hon.
Friend, Mr. Bea-nish, has spoken of me as one who,
since my retirement, has been willing to act for
your benefit ; but, imfeed, I should be very churlish
were I unwilling to do so.—(Hear, hear.) I can tell
you most honestly, that inasmuch as it was by your
favour I was elected to a position calculated to be ser-
viceable to you, I will not now, nor at any other time,
prove so ungrateful as to refuse to lend my humble ser-
vices when you require them.—(Loud cheers.) Hon.
Friend, the chairman, has shadowed out a chance, which
I will not deny my ambition is strong enough to anti-
cipate—namely, that at some future period I shall look
to again representing your interests in the imperial Le-
gislature. (Here the company rose en masse, and poured
forth for several minutes the most deafening bursts of
acclamation.) Yes, gentlemen, a time may arrive when,
after exhibiting an honest industry in my profession,
with a view to secure an independence, I shall come
forward to reap the reward of these struggles, and per-
haps be once more placed in a position to achieve all
that is expected of me.—(Increased and prolonged ac-
clamations, which were continued with deafening effect
for several minutes.) But, at the same time, I beg to
state distinctly that I disclaim the introduction of poli-
tical matters into this meeting, because I feel I am not
here for a political purpose; and I do not, therefore,
wish that any expressions of mine should be tortured
into an intention to interfere with the claims of any
other gentleman.— (Hear, hear.) I say this much, I
am anxious that in mr own person, as on the present
occasion, there should be exhibited to the people
amongst whom I live that there is a probability that a
man may conciliate the good opinion of all parties—
(Cheers)—that he may be effective for the representa-
tion of a great city, because he has conciliated these
opinions, and be useful to his constituents in represent-
ing their interests at home, while, at the same time, he
can be effective abroad, because he brings that concen-
tration of feeling and opinion to give his position weight
and effect.--(Elear, hear, and cheering.) All these
matters, gentlemen, are present to my mind,
not in the visionary way in which they pre-
sented themselves to my then immatured and in-
experienced understanding as when first I ambitioned
the honour of representing you, but with matured
and ripened experience, such as I mentioned in
the outset of this case, when expressing my em-
barrassment at appearing here, surrounded as I am by
you all; and whose kindness as well as the affectionate
manner in which you have received me, is the best re-
compense and reply to any distrust or doubt that I might
have previously entertained of your affection and sin-
cerity.—(Loud cheers.) But, gentlemen, I shall now
turn from the subject of myself to one that will enable
me to speak more largely on the meriteof its subject, a
gentleman who had an earlier claim on your kindness
than that which I enjoyed --(Hear, hear.) It is not be-
cause Mr. Beamish has lavished terms of encomium on
me that shall do so in his regard. I need hardly tell
you that his merits, intrinsically, are too well known and
recognised from the efficient way in which he discharged
the duty of his high situation as your representative
and my predecessor, to require that I should endeavour
to add to them; and they are also not alone personal,
but hereditary in the family of which he is a distin-
guished member and ornament.—(Hear, and loud
cheers.) In conclusion then, I call upon you to drink
in a high and overflowing bumper the health, long life,
and happiness of our esteemed and beloved chairman,
Francis Bernard Beamish.
The toast was drunk ,with the most enthusiastic and
deafening acclamation; nine times nine and one cheer
more.

The CHAIRMAN responded to the sentiment.
The CHAIRMAN gave the next toast, " The Mayor and
Corporation of Cork," and alluded to the improvements
which that body has effected—the erection of markets
and the commencement of a park for the recreation of
the citizens.

The MAYOR rose to return thanks, and was most cor-
dially greeted.
The CHAIRMAN introduced the next toa t, '" The
committee of merchants of Cork, and prosperity to its
general trade."
Mr. JAMES MURPHY replied t3 the toast.
The CHAIRMAN next gave " The shipping trade of
Cork."

The CHAIRMAN proposed a few toasts connected with
the commercial prosperity of Cork, after which the com-
pany retired.—Abridged from the Cork Examiner.

MANSLAUGHTER BY A
POLICEJIAN.

NORTHLEACH, SATURDAY.—A great deal of excite-
ment has prevailed for the last ten days in this neigh-
bourhood, arising from the death of a young man named
Rueben Busby, who was killed on the night of the 7th
inst., by James Probert, a constable belonging to the
rural police.
Information of the circumstance having been commu-
nicated to Mr. J. Barnett, the county Coroner, a jury
assembled at the New Inn, and there being nearly thirty
witnesses, the inquiry was continued by adjournment for
five days, terminatinc, yesterday afternoon. The police-
man, who was suspended, and though not in actual cus-
tody, was under close surveillance, as it was uncertain
what might be the issue of the examination, was present,
and Mr. Gaisford, solicitor, attended to watch the exa-
mination on his behalf: Another man named Clifford
had also been seriously beaten by the sapie policeman,
and was for some days considered to be in a state of
great danger. It would be impossible to give the evi-
dence in detail, but the following were the material facts
elicited :—

It appears that on the day in question the 7th instant,
there had been a rustic feat in the neighbourhood of
Lord Dynevor's demesne, which, as usual, was at-
tended by a large number of the peasantry, both
male and female. These gatherings too commonly
lead to disturbance, but in this instance nothing of the
kind occurred. The ground was cleared at an early
hour, and the people proceeded to rega'e themselves at,
various places of public entertainment. Amongst the
rest, several young men and women repaired to the
Fox Inn, at the village of Windrusk, where they
were provided with such refreshment as their means
afforded. Amongst the company assembled in the par-
lour were the deceased, Reuben Busby, Clifford, the
ether injured man, and two or three others, who were in
the habit of working in the same service. The company
were made up of detached parties, bat all were orderly
and sober. In the course of the evening a strange man,
somewhat intoxicated, joined the company, and broke a
glass, for which he refused to pay the sum demanded.
This led to a partial disturbance, which induced the
landlord to send for the police. Sergeant Adams and
two of the constables came into the parlour, when one of
the latter, Probert, pushed one of the company, an old
man, down on the floor. Thjs had the effect of exas-
perating the company, more especially Clifford, who
complained of the unnecessary interference of the police.
One of the constables had by that time gone out. Pro-
bert, however, drew out his truncheon, and, according to
the statement of several witnesses, struck right and left,
although no one had then committed any breach of the
peace. It was preyed that Sergeant Adams remained at
the door, never once interfering. Probert continued
striking at Clifford until the man was dragged out of the
room, when Probert turned upon Reuben Busby, the
deceased, who was sitting quietly at the table, and a
blow of the truncheon across the crown of the skull
laid him bleeding on the floor, and to all appearance
dead. The landlord of the house, with several other
persons, then interfered, and the deceased was taken out
into the air; but as he showed no symptoms of conscious-
ness, it was deemed necessary to procure medical aid.
Mr. Cheatle, surgeon, of Burford, promptly attended,
but he saw at once that it was a hopeless case. He
found the deceased in a state of collapse, and labouring
under depression of the brain. Stimulants were admi-
nistered, and the other means used in such cases were
resorted to without effect. The deceased, who never
rallied, expired next morning. On a post mortem exa-
mination there appeared a contused wound, two inches
long, which laid bare the skull from the dura mater to
the pia mater. There was no very great extravasation
of blood, but the pressure of the skull upon the brain
sufficiently accounted for the death of the party. Mr.
Cheatle added that he had attended Clifford, the other
man, who appeared to have sustained some injury about
the head and face, but not of a serious character.

The whole of the witnesses were severely cross-exa-
mined, either by Probert or his solicitor, for the purpose
of showing that the police, having been in the first in-
stance called in by the landlord of the house, were only
acting in the performance of their duty, and that th e
accused had been compelled to use his staff in self-de-
fence. The witnesses all concurred in stating that there
was no riot, and that no resistance was offered which
justified the policeman in using his staff.
Mr. Gaisford, the solicitor for the police, pressed this
point so pertinaciously, that the coroner was at length
compelled to order the officer to remove him from the
inquest-rooin.
At the close of this protracted investigation, the Co-
roner went through the evidence, explaining the distinc-
tions which the law made between murder, manslaughter,
and justifiable homicide; and the jury, after a long con-
saltation, returned a verdict of "ManslaugIcer against
James Probert," who has been committed for trial at the
assizes.