The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-29 00:00:00

at _suit

LONDON:
MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY 29, 1844.

The end of the beginning of the Irish State Trials
arrived on Friday. "This is the case of the Crown,"
said the Attorney-General, in a weak voice,
scarcely audible in the gallery. Is this the case of the
Crown ? inquired every one outside the Court. Where
are the reported revelations respecting the French
and American correspondence ? said one—where the
expected exposure of appropriation or misappropria-
tion of the Repeal funds ? inquired another—where
the secret meetings and designs of the conspirators ?
where the proofs of the " as wicked a conspiracy as
ever existed ?" asked all. This wicked conspiracy
consists, then, of articles froth newspapers, reports of
speeches, which disclaimed all violence and appeals to
physical force; monster meetings, at which there
was not the slightest tendency to a breach of the
peace ;" arbitration courts, to which the people chose
to resort for that justice which they had no
confidence in finding elsewhere, and songs.
Nobody who does not wish for a verdict per
fas aut nefas now believes in any conspiracy.
The Crown case has settled that. It is ad-
mitte•l on all hands to be a miserable failure.
a mistake—a spoiled speculation—a bungled blunder.
The beginning of the end commenced on Saturday—
Mr. SHELL led on the attack. The greatest anxiety
prevailed to listen to him. There was not more in-
terest manifested the first day. The questions asked
were—" What are they doing now in Court ?" "Is
SHELL speaking?" "Is he pitching it into' the
Attorney-General ?" " Are the jury moved ?''
Within the Court all was deep interest—not a sound
was heard save the piercing, tones of the speaker.
Mr. SHEIL address-d the Court from the end of the
table immaTately facing the jury. Mr. O'CONNELL
sat with his back to the bench, on the right of
Mr. SHEIL, who had a large volume before him,
formed of sheets of paper roughly sewn together,
• " written within and without," and on which were

pasted various slips of printed matter in the shape of
quotations, &c. He commenced by stating that he
appeared for Mr. J. O'CoNNELr., that he was fully
aware of the magnitude of the occasion, and his own
inability to do justice to it, but that he approached
it, if not unmoved, at least without dismay. He at
once plunged into his case ; no summary could possi-
bly do justice to his animated address ; we must, there-
fore, refer the reader to the report itself. No portions
• of hie speech were more feelingly delivered than
those in which he deplored the unhappy effects of the
religious dissensions that have torn Ireland asunder.
His comparison of her present disturbed state, with
every element of religious rancour and hatred
raging within her, with the quiet and harmony
in which the Protestants and Catholics of Germany
live together, was exceedingly striking. At one por-
tion of his address, the audience being carried away
by the eloquence of the advocate, forget they were
in a Court of Justice, and gave a round of applause.
The Chief Justice immediately reproved the inde-
corum, stating that if it occurred again, the Court
must be cleared. Mr..Sitim. launched some withering
sarcasm at the Attorney-General, which told with great
effect, and concluded his address at exactly three
o'clock. The Court then adjourned till Monday.
One of our Dublin Correspondents makes the fol-
lowing remarks on the proceedings which took pl tce
in the Queen's Bench on Saturday :
" It is not alone to the counsel arrayed against
him within the Court that the Tory chief law officer
of the Crown for Ireland has affOrded opportunities, in
his drowsy, and yet, paradoxical as it may appear,
intemperate opening address to the Court and Jury ;
but even to many without the Court—to such indi-
viduals as he had occasion to allude, has he supplied
food for contradiction. Among several instances may
be mentioned that one connected with the "Blain-

glass Monster Meeting." In adverting to some of the
T
attendant circumstances of that meeting theßight Hon,
Gentleman said that "he was in a position to prove the
observations of some of those assembled thousands?'
Those observations, he proceeded to state, were to
the effect, " that they (the people) would and should
have repeal, and that, in this part of the country, they
would die to a man, but that they were afraid of the
sea-side fellows not standing by them ;" and that " Fa-
ther LALOR" (the parish priest of Baltinglass) " told
them in the chapel, that it was too far gone now, and
that they should get it, but not without blood being
shed." In the Dublin Evening Post, the Rev. Mr. LA-
LOR has inserted a letter contradicting,in the most un-
equivocal manner, this statement of the Learned
Crown official, and the Rev. Gentleman assured me
this morning that he purposes remaining in town
during the trial, in order to prove on oath, on the
defence, that such language as that, thus attributed
to him, never escaped his lips.

" W ith respect to the course to be pursued by the
traversers in their defence, various rumours are afloat.
It is said they are prepared with no less than 270
witnesses, but I have been assured by one of their
counsel that they mean to call not more than about
twenty, and that those are to be gentlemen of rank
and station in the country—some of them magistrates
and ex-magistrates, and also Members of Parliament
—each: of these to be examined briefly as to the
character and tone of the meetings, &c. The influ-
ence of their testimony, it is presumed, and justly
so, will be not a little enhanced by the circum-
stance of many of those gentlemen being neither
Roman Catholics nor Repealers.

"In case the course above adverted to be followed
up by the traversers, the trials are all but certain to
be closed by next Thursday week."

The evidence for the Crown on the Irish trials has
closed, and the case for the defence has been com-
menced by Mr. SHELL. To any casual observer these
questions would arise : What have the accused to
meet ? What is the charge against them ? What is
the crime of which they are guilty ? The witnesses
for the Crown have not proved anything against
them; and, for aught that appears on the proceedings,
not a single offence has been committed. Combina-
tion for unlawful purposes—conspiracy with ille-
gal intents—union of combiners and conspirators for
objects contrary to law; not one of these has been
proved by the evidence for the prosecution. On the
contrary, there is not the slightest evidence of com-
bination, of conspiracy, or of illegal union ; and there
is every proof that all acts done were peaceable, and
in furtherance of a peaceable intent.
What, then, have the accused to meet ? Before
an English jury, and an English tribunal, we answer
NOTHING ILLEGAL, NOTHING CONTRARY TO LAW.
But they have an Irish and an Orange Jury, and an
Irish Attorney-General, whom Mr. SHELL designates
as an " ARTFUL DODGER" to meet. They have to
break the trammels of the net which has been thrown
around them, and they have only truth, justice, and
innocence to rely upon, as a protection from per-
jury, espionage, and a packed jury.
Before an English jury, and with English judges,
the closing of the case for the prosecution, would have
been the finding a verdict for the defendants. For
never, in our experience, did case for a prosecutor
furnish such ample means for a traverser, as this pre-
sent. Nothing proved—nothing established, save
this great fact, that the Government of Sir ROBERT
PEEL was, by its organs, prepared to go all lengths,
and to run all hazards, to gain a conviction of the
man, whom, by argument, it could not put down, and
whom it was determined to crush by means legal or
illegal.
Everything that eloquence, that argument, that
learning can do, will be done by the counsel for the
traversers. They have a glorious and an important
office to perform—they have to strip sophism of its
influence, superstition and bigotry of their powers
over a prejudiced tribunal. They have to argue as if
were possible to convince by argument, or to make
predetermination submit to reason. If they succeed,
great to them the glory, great to the jury the honour
will be. If they fail, no dishonour will attach to
the counsel, and the public will give as much im-
portance to the decision of the jury as they would to
the finding of Eastern satraps, or to the nominal
council of the Grand Seignior.

Mr. WARD, we perceive, has been paying a visit
to his Sheffield constituents, whom he addressed on
Wednesday last, on the subject of the line of policy
he pursued last session in Parliament. His address
was received with :every token of approbation—and
deservedly so, for it was manly and consistent in its
tone, and abounded in useful, practical suggestions.
We wish we had many more men in the House of
Commons like the Hon. Member for Sheffield, who
combines•boldness with sagacity; sees the truth, and
does not hesitate to speak it; steers clear of all party
prejudices and predilections—those fatal quicksands on
which so many clever men are constantly sinking,
and being engulphed ; and regards nothing but the
interests of the community at large. It is not a little
to Mr. WARD'S credit that while the Tories hold him
in fear and abhorrence as a Reformer of the most
dangerous latitudinarian character, the Whigs have
no special liking for him, inasmuch as he refuses to
run tractably in Whig harness, but chooses to think
—speak—decide--and vote—according to his own
strong and correct impressions of things. We repeat,
therefore, that we heartily wish we had some more
men like Mr. WARD- in Parliament, and then
we should no longer be afflicted with such
an overwhelming landlords' majority as was exhibited
last session, and, as we fear, will be exhibited in the
next, unless Reformers of all classes agree to forego
their petty party differences, and combine together
for the public good. Alluding to this important
branch of his subject, the Member for Sheffield ob-
served, " I have no other hope of breaking in on the
Conservative majorities of the present House of Com-
mons, but by a union of all parties. You tell me that
trade is improved a little. I fear not much. Ido
not see where the improvement is to come from.
I do not see that there can be any beneficial
or extensive increase in our manufacturing trade
and commerce under the present state of export
and import duties. We must break in on the exist-
ing system. I trust that the whole constituency of
this country will give such an impulse to public men,
as will force them all on in the path of onward
march." Most cordially do we echo this wish. Un-
less something of the sort be done, we do not see
what security we can have against those dishearten-
ing fluctuations and depressions in commerce, which
have of late years been so frequent among us. The
Whigs must learn to lay aside their paltry distrust and
jealousy of the more resolute and advanced class of Re-
formers ; sacrifice at the altar of the public good some of
their old-fashioned, party prejudices; and take the lead
in a vigorous political crusade against the common
enemy, the Monopolists. If the ultra-Tories on all
great questions affecting their interests, can put their
prejudices in their pockets, and join with the more
moderate Conservatives, to check the progress of
energetic commercial reforms, why should the Whigs
, hesitate to combine with the more uncompromising
Liberals in their efforts to further the progress of these
indispensable reforms ? When bad men conspire, good
men should combine, says the old adage ; and we hope
the Whigs will bear this in mind during the session
that is now so close at hand. In reference to the
ticklish question of Ireland, Mr. WARD, while pro-
fessing himself inimical to the project of Repeal,
spoke boldly and sternly out as to the necessity of an
equitable, conciliatory course of policy being pursued
towards the sister country. "A little meddling policy,"
he said, " would do no good in Ireland at the present
day. The Government would not concede anything.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM had said that it was a crisis
of the utmost importance, and yet would do
nothing. As respects the Irish Church, he
thought that to sacrifice one part of the
empire to the Church Establishment, was a
matchless act of national imbecility." Mr. WARD, it
may be remembered, expressed himself strongly on
this subject last session ; and, of course, he will resume
the theme in Parliament at the first fitting oppor-
tunity, when we presume he will obtain a more
patient and respectful hearing from Ministers, than
it was his fate to meet with last year; for the
strenuous Repeal agitation that has taken place in the
interim, and convulsed Ireland to its centre, cannot
but have made a deep impression on our halting and
expediency-loving Government.

Madrid journals of the 19th have been received.
The accounts from the provinces, as to the reception
of the new municipal law, are said to be satisfactory,

with very few exceptions. Great opposition to it in
Galicia was apprehended, and reports prevailed at
Madrid that the Government had received alarming
news from that quarter. A deputation from the
Magistracy of Corunna had waited on the QUEEN,
and presented a loyal address, to which her MAJESTY
replied—
" Convinced that justice is the certain guarantee of order
and of the happiness of my people, I always receive with the
greatest pleasure the expressions of the devotedness of the
members of the Magistracy. I reckon on your proverbial
sense of equity in the dispensing of the laws to promote the
prosperity of a generous people."

The Three per Cents. were done at 26i for cash,
and 26 at 60 days, and the Five per Cents. at 19i
for cash, and 19i at 60 days.

In the discussion which took place in the French
Chamber, on Wednesday, M. VILLEMAIN, the Mi-
nister of Public Instruction, defended the University
against the attacks made on it by the clergy and M.
Came, one of the speakers. It was said by these
authorities that there reigned in the schools a philo-
sophy which aimed at substituting for the Christian
religion a sort of rational religion—something, in
fact, higher than ordinary religion. He would not
allow that any such language ought to hold in con-
tradiction to the writings and solemn declarations of
the most respectable men. He regretted that such
attacks should be made against men whose merits
were not appreciated as they ought to be. " Shall I
venture," continued the Hon. Minister, "to remind
you of the great movement that took place after the ,
empire, and mention to you a much revered name—
that one who for twiny years was President of this
Chamber—M. ROYER COLLARD ? Do you not be-
lieve, Gentlemen, that the man who restored
amongst us an admiration for the genius of DES-
CARTES, who uplifted anew the colours of
spiritualism, and prepared the way for political liberty
by his instructions in moral liberty—who elevated
men's minds, and inspired them with the sentiment of
their political duties by inculcating that of their
moral and social duties—do you suppose, I say, that
a man like this would have introduced into France a
philosophy which we ought now to disdain and repu-
diate ?—(Loud approbation.) And have the men who
came after him—his disciples whom he loved and ho-
noured—have they quitted the path of that noble and
pure philosophy ? Do you believe that those men
have endeavoured to direct men's minds towards the
very doctrines they have stigmatised with the name
of sensualism ? No ; they have, on the contrary, con-
tinued to so instruct in philosophy that it should not
certainly replace religion, but prepare the public
mind for it. But what is the nature of the course
of instruction so severely attacked by M. CARNE ?
Here it is. With DESCARTES, whose name is ene of
the glories of France, are joined the works of MALLE-
BRANCHE, ARNAUD, BOSSIJET, and FENELON ; and to
them the Council has added the writings of CLARKE
LEIBNITZ, and EULER. Such is our programme for the
instructing in philosophy, and to this do our wishes tend.'
His speech, which displayed liberal principles, and a
full determination to maintain the authority of the
State in all measures connected with public instruc-
tion, derived additional interest from his allusions to
the system adopted by NAPOLEON. The following
remarks were listened to with great attention :
"If an education, learned and appropriate to all the re-
quirements of public life, had not instilled into minds the
germs of instruction and of talent, France would not have
found herself so promptly able, on two occasions, to recon-
stitute a Government, which had each time drawn nearer to
constitutional principles.—(Marks of approbation.) He would
ask the Chamber at what time had feelings of discontent
first manifested itself against these institutions ? Was it at a
remote period ? No ; it was at an epoch when a spirit of vio-
lence and re-action first began to operate in France. When
(lid the first pamphlet appear, of which a new edition had
lately been published at Lyons ? It was in 1815 ; it was at a
time when men, who attacked at once the glory and inde-
pendence of the country, had the upper hand. Were these
attacks and complaints well founded? Was not the Imperial
system of education sufficient for all purposes? Was it sus-
ceptible of ameliorations ? Had it not already received them ?
That was what he proposed to examine. There was, though
the predominant principle of the empire, something too im-
perious, too military, in the regime of the old schools. There
was something too restricted, too limited, in the instruction ;
there appeared to be a fear of that development of ideas
which the Honourable M. de Came found excessive and dan-
gerous; this was not a subject of blame to the University,
but the favourite idea of that glorious spirit which then pre-
sided over the destinies of the country. The Emperor, whose
attention was fixed on the University, one day made the fol-
lowing note, which has been carefully preserved in the
archives of the Ministry :—" The University is not sufficiently
dominant—it does not represent with sufficient activity the
idea of the Emperor and the unity of France—private insti-
tutions must be closed until each lyceum has obtained the
number of boarders which it can receive. This suppression
should commence with those establishments which are badly
organised, for such as are good should be preserved."—(Sen-
sation.) When this note was sent to the Council of the
University, amongst the members of which figured such men
as Baron envier, the answer was that free competition should
be allowed both to private teachers and to the University. The
Emperor hesitated at these observations, and the University,
which the Emperor wished to fill by artificial means and by
giving six thousand free admissions, had in a few years more
paying pupils than the number of free admissions which the
Emperor had proposed to give—(Movement.) The principle
of absolute right had been preserved, but in practice the
obligation of having regularly attended the public lectures
which dates from the line of the Parliament has been modi-
fied. So that out of 900 schools, there were 800 which did
not follow the exact line of instruction pursued in the col-
leges. In fact, the greatest number of pupils attending the
colleges came from the private residences of their families.
Out of 53,000 pupils of the University, there were 19,000
boarders placed by their parents, and a great number of day
scholars. It was not therefore families that were restrained,
but speculators, under whatever name they might conceal
themselves, congregations and others. And yet the state of
things which underwent gradual improvements, the state of
things which was spontaneously ameliorated by the mere
effect of a change in public manners, might yet receive from
the laws developments, ameliorations, and limitations at one
and the same time, and he should be happy to see them in-
troduced. He thought that this might be effected by fol-
lowing up the attempts which had been made by his prede-
cessors and by himself to present a bill which, in organising
the principle of liberty intended by the Charter, would con-
secrate the authority and surveillance of the Government.—
(Approbation.)"

.The discussion was resumed on Thursday, when
M. ODILON BARROT suggested that the proposed
amendments should be withdraw*, and the" Gover-
nment be allowed to introduce a Bill on their own
responsibility. This proposition seemed to meet with
general approbation.
The papers contain no news of importance, if we
except a feeler put forth by the Spanish Govern-
ment, in reference to a new loan, and which is given
in these words in the National:—

" The Spanish financial agent in Paris informs the creditors
of Spain, that the Government of her Catholic Majesty is en-
gaged, with the utmost solicitude, in ameliorating their con-
dition, by establishing, coincidentally with moral and materkl
order in the country, a new system of assessment of the taxes,
which will admit of its providing funds for the payment of its
creditors, whether holders of the Three per Cent. stock, or
Five per ,Cent., the Government making no difference be-
tween them. It recognises the rights of all the creditors,
and hopes to meet the same sentiments of reciprocity and
justice in the men whose mission it is to second its good dis-
positions."
Great fluctuation took place in the funds on Thurs-
day. The Three per Cents. were opened at 82f.
15c., fell to 81f. 90c., and closed at 82f. 20c. The
Five per Cents. closed at 124 f. 50c. (having been so
low as 124 f. 25c.); Orleans Railroad shares closed at
857 f. 50c.; Rouen, 842 f. 50c.; Havre, 662 f. 50c.
Avignon, 721 f. 25c.; Spanish Actives, 30i.
BOURSE—PARIS, THURSDAY, JAN. 25.
First Highest Lowest Last
Price. Price. Price. Price.
French Five per Cents. 124 50... 124 50... 124 30 .. 124 50
Four per Cents 106 ... 106 ... 106 ... 106
Threes. B2 05... 82 15... 81 95.. 82 15
Bank of France.. 3282 50...3282 50...3282 50...3282 50
Laffitte Bank 5,000 f 5070 ...5070 ...5070 —5070
Belgian Bank .... 690 ... 690 ... 690 ... 690
Belgian Fives, 1840.... 1081 ... 108/ ... 108} 108/
1842.... 110 ... 110 ... 110 ... 110
Spanish Active.......... ... 30} ... 301 ... 301
Passive ...... 51 ... 5/ ... 5 ... 5i
Portuguese Fives ..... 461 ... 46E ... 461 ... 461
Neapolitan
Roman .... 1051 ... 106 .. 1051 ... 106