The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-16 00:00:00

THE CONSPIRACY BILL.

Last evening a very crowded public meeting was
held at the Freemasons' Tavern to protest against
the bill introduced by Lord Palmerston on the
subject of conspiracy to murder. The assemblage
was a mixed one—a number of those present being
foreigners of various nations. Mr. A. B. Richards
was called to the chair.
Letters were read from Sir Do Lacy Evans,
M.P., Mr. W. J. Fox, Mr. Wyld, M.P., Mr.
Roupell, M.P., Mr. Cox, M.P., Mr. Scbolefield,
M.P., Mr. C. Gilpin, M.P., Mr. Bright, M.P.,
Mr. Bright, M.P., Mr. White, M.P., Mr. Cob-
den, and other gentlemen, expressing their in-
Ability to attend, but their hearty concurrence in
the object of the meeting.
Sir Do Lacy Evans says :—" The question is
not one to be briefly treated. I shall confine
myaelf at present with stating that the deport-
ment of our government in the transactions has
occasioned me the deepest regret and pain."
Mr. Bright says :—" Igo heartily with the op-
position to the Conspiracy Bill. lam very anxious,
however, that any opposition to it should be con-
ducted so as not needlessly to cause irritation be-
tween this country and the people or the Govern-
ment of France. Our business is simply with
our own Government. We have to condemn
them for a total waist of d;gnity iu this matter,
for their shrinking from the duty of giving a
proper and respectful but firm reply to the French
deipaich, and because they have brought forward
a bill which can have no influence in adding to
the security of Emperor of the French, or of any
(ther person, and can only be pointed t i as a
hasty and humiliating concession to a hasty and
needless demand. We have for years past been
judging the governments of other nations, it is
uow time for us to examine the condition of our
own."

The CHAIRMAN said they were met that night to
exercise the privilege at present possessed by Eng-
-I.Blunen, of speaking their mind—(hear, hear)—
but how long they would be allowed to exercise
such a privilege it rested with Englishmen them-
selves to determine, by the expressions of feeling
they gave utterance to at such demonstrations as
that. He wished, at the outset, to state that that
meeting was a purely and thoroughly English in, et-
ing, and not in any way in favour of any conspiracy,
or of any refugees, beyond the desire of according
to the latter those rights which, as Englishmen, we
have ever thought fit to confer upon them. (Cheers.)
He believed that none present had any sympathy
with assassination. The measure now before the
country was one involving the most pernicious con-
sequences, and which, if passed into law, would
render the life—or rather (for they knew what im-
prisonment by a despotic government was) would
render the liberty of every man in this country
insecure. (Cheers.) It had been suddenly brought
before thorn by intimidation, and as it were upon
compulsion. We might disguise the fact as much
as we liked, but there was no doubt but that act
was attempted to be passed in consequence of the
threats and-menaces of the French government. It
admitted of no sophistry. It would not do to say,
"The act itself is good." The reply to that was,
" We will inquire into it at leisure, but at this
moment such an act was most insulting and de-
grading to the country." There was no occasion
whatever for such a measure, and he looked upon
it as part of the despotism which is so insidiously
being enforced upon us. (Hear.) With regard
to the menaces that he had referred to, and which
appeared in the French official organ, theilloniteur,
they had never been denied in the llioniteur. It
was stated that an apology had been made by the
FrenchEmpetor. That apology, if they could so call
it, had been sent to this country, but had never
been printed in the French papers—(hear, hear)—
and while that state of things existed, he contended
that it was most inopportune to give the measure
the least consideration. It had been said that the
articles were inserted accidentally ; but it appeared
that they were inserted on successive days, and
even af,er the apology was made, another insulting
menace appeared from one of these French colonels.
They had not, in Lord Palmerston, as English
minister. (Hear, hear.) He might be blustering,
bullying, or trafficking—(hear, hear)—but when it
came to the point, he was found, rs far as any act
goes towards establishing despotism, to be craving
and conniving. (Cheers.) He considered that the
legislation of this country had tended towards that
point for some time past. (Rear, hear.) The cry
of the Government was more power to the police.
In Lerd Campbell's act, the Lodging-House Act,
and others of a similar character the object had
been to enable the police to institute domicilia, y
visits, and to turn their bulls-eyes upon men and
women sleeping in their homes—(shame)—and that
was the motive of the proposed measure. What
was the reason for the recent menaces of France
being bowed to at this moment ? Was it from
connivance or was it from feat g If from fear, what
should they say of the minister who had left the
country in such a state ? But he thought there was
no occasion for fear at all. (Hear, hear.) In con-
clusion, he again declared his belief that this act
was part of a great despotic system traced in the
influences that surround the court., in the conduct
of the minister, in the conduct of the cabinet, and
everything they do. (Cheers.) That was the key
to those insults which our Government has so far
submitted to on the part of the French. He hoped
such meetings as that would be held throughcut
the country, and awaken an expression of feeling
which would not only overthrow this, but prevent
any similar attempt for the future.
Mr. LAURENCE in moving the first resolution,
protested strongly against any legislation at the in-
stigation of a foreign despotism. He hoped, Low-
ever, that there yet remained a feeling cf national
honour sufficiently strong to oppose successfully
any suoh attempt as the present to infringe the
rights and liberties which had ever been the boast
of Englishmen. (Hear.) He concluded by moving,
" That any alteration of the laws of England under
the menacing dictation of a foreign power is calcu-
lated to endanger the national character and inde-
pendence." (Applause.)
Dr. Simmer seconded the resolution. He said,
let them soow Lord Palmerston that Englishmen
were resolved to endure him no longer, and that
the Government of the nation must be placed in
the hands of those who would be more jealous of
the nation's honour and the people's rights.
Mr. ERNEST JONES rose to address the meeting
in support of the motion amidst great applause.
The question for consideration was—first, is such a
measure as the one proposed necessary or not ; and
secondly, under what circumstances is that measure
endeavoured to be forced upon us St (Hear, hoar.)
The new Alien Bill had not yet passed, and yet
they found a reward of 2001. promised for the arrest
of one man, the house of another searched at mid-
night, and a third had been arrested in broad day,
in the midst of Loudon, on suspicion of being con-
cerned in conspiracy. (Cries of " Shame.") If
these things could be done under the present law,
he contended it was manifest that no stronger law
was necessary. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. BARE, amidst some confusion, proposed an
" addendum" to the resolution, as follows :
" In the opinion of this meeting Englishmen
ought always to countenance all lawful demands
made at the hands of a Power in unity with them."
(Groans.) The proposer attempted to address the
meeting, but the feeling was so strong against him
that he could not detain a hearing.

The resolution was then put and carricd amidst
tremendous. applause.
.'r. W. WILKES moved the second resolution,
" That, for this bill, and other acts both at home
and abroad, this meeting declares Lord Palmerston
and his colleagues to be unworthy of the confidence
of the country." (Applause.) It had been nobly
said by Lord J. Russell that ho would be ashamed
and humiliated at the thought of voting for this bill.
(Hear, hear.) Lord John Russell was at least an
Englishman ; he remembered at least that he has
had an ancestry—that, moreover, he may have a
posterity ; and ha hoped that his ancient name, so
entwined with the ancient glory of England, would
have a bright place in the history to come. (Hear,
hear.) But, for himself, he said he was ashamed
of the possibility of such a measure ever being pro-
posed, and still more so of the Parliament which
would uphob! a MiniE:ter who could bring it ff;r-
ward or give it his sanction. (Hear, hear.) He
called upon them in the name of liberty, and of the
fallen nations of Europe, to do their utmost both