The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-05-06
THE BERNARD ACQUITTAL.
THE EFFECT IN LONDON.
BERNARDO S DlsCHARGE-THE SCENE IN COURT.
From the London Times, ApriI 10.


[ From the London Times, ApriI1 49,
Immediately at the conclusion of the summing up
by the Judge, and before the jury had retired the
prisoner, WIN much warmth of tone, vehemence of
gesture, and rapidity of utterance, exclaimed:
declare that the words which have been spoken,
or quoted by the Judge, with reference to the balls
are not correct and that the balls which were taken
oy 3iorgi 10 brussels were not those which
used in Paris | have brought no evidence here,
because am not accustomed to compromise any
person. declare that | am not hirer of assassns
and that OF the blood of the victims of the nth of
January there was nothing in my heart more than
in that OF any one here. My only wish is to crush
despotlsm and tyranny every where. To effect that
have conspired, and | will conspire ever because
1t IS my duty, my sacred duty and the duty of eve
Ty lover OF liberty to do so. But never, never will
| be murderer.
At the close of this address, so unlike ANYTHING
one is accustomed to hear in criminal court in
TINS country the jury retired to consider their YER
dlct 1t being then twenty minutes to three O'Clock
They had been absent upwards of half an hour,
when the lntimation was given that they had agreed
upon their verdict. Instantly silence was restored
the prisoner was placed in the dock and the audience
waited with breathess interest the announcement
which was to decide his fate After few moments of
anxious suspense however, it transpred that the jury
had not agreed, but that the mistake had arisen
probably from their sending some communication to
the Judges, and the prisoner again removed from
the dock. Then there another long interval
during which the anxiety of the crowd seemed to
deepen as the time wore on. The spectacle which
the court then presented was of the most animated
and exciting description. The small gallery imme-
dlately over the dock and accessible to the general
puDllc, was densely packed. In front of it sat
several welldressed ladies, who had been unable to
| OBTAIN more agreeable accommodation in other
parts of the building All the more favored seats
! on the bench, and in the immediate vicinity, had
been occupied from early hour in the morn
ing by persons of rank and station, many of
them ladies. Others, as the crisis approached,
| made incessant applications for even standing
room within the precincts of the court, and the
complaisance of the ever obgng under sherifls was
taxed to the utmost to comply with their wishes
The members of the bar stood in groups discussing
the incidents of the trial, and specializing on its
probable result did also the greater part of the
audience. On the 1oor of the Court was seen, in
conversation with another, gentleman of pre-
possessing appearance and manners, ococat of the
| French Dor, --h~ LI 9efe~ae9 pivrri on his trial
in faris: Precisely as the clock struck four,
an imitation was given that the Jury were return-
lng and In an instant the loud hum of conversation
which had prevailed for upwards of an hour sub
sided INTO profound silence. The prisoner reap
peared IN the dock. The judges entered and re
sumed their accustomed places on the bench and
| the jury, who had been absent for an hour and
| twenty minutes, answered to their names as they
| were called over in the usual way; the prisoner,
| whose face was flushed with emotion, looking
wisttully in the direction of the jury box, if to
discover by anticipation some faint omen of his
fate.
Mr. Clark, the Clerk of Arraigns addressing the
| verdict?
The Foreman-We are.
Mr.. Clark-H0w say you? Is Simon Bernard
guilty or not guilty?
The Forman-Not guilty.
On the announcement of this decision Oc-
Cured unexamped, perhaps in English tribu-
nal. From the gallery first, and then IN instant
Gtterpards from the floor Of the court, proceeded a
loud shout of erultation. The chee~ing ,ras agui,
and again repeated-the ercitenent comtagioms-
and many ladies Of quality present 'oaned their hand
fere1'es 1 ~ token Of their delight vainly did the
Lord Chief Justice endeavor by voice and
gesture to still the tumult and as power
less were the stentorian lungs of Mr.. Har-
ker, though exerted to the utmost, to restore
hourished his white pocket handkerchief over his
head, and several times attempted to speak. By
this time the verdict had reached the ears of the
crowd assembled outside the Old Bailey, and the
rapturous cheer which they raised and after re-
peated, could be distinctly heard within the court.
The Judges, unable, and perhaps unwilling to
check this spontaneous ebulition of popular feel
ing, but yet not liking to sanction it by their
Campbell at this moment was of itself a study.
Slightly rutfied at the defiance which had been
shown to his authority his lOrdship still retained
his good humor, and seemed disposed to Weld a
momentary homage to the populi. 1t may be
reasonably presumed that he could not have been
indifferent to the result of a trial in which he had
played so conspicuous part; but whatever his feel
ings may have been in that respect it impos-
nance.
Bernard at length made a successful attempt to be
heard, and addressing the jury, said, with much
vehemence of manner:
Gentlemen, that verdict is expression of the
truth. | am not guilty; and it proves that in Eng
land there is and always will be liberty, which will
crush tyranny, whatever and wherever it may be.
All honor to an English jury (Renewed chcers.)
The prisoner was then removed from the dock
and the applause having abated,
The Lord Chief Justice said:-Let the prisoner be
brought back.
Bernard again stood at the front of the dock.
Mr.. Simon, the prisoners counsel, said:-I under
stand my lords that there is another charge against
the prisoner of nature precisely similar to that
just disposed of and which must be tried, if at all,
upon the same evidence.
The Attorney General-lt is not the intention
of the Crown to proceed with that charge. (Re-
| newed cheers.
Mr.. Simon-Perhaps, then, my learned friend
will allow verdict of acquittal to be taken upon
that charge.
The Attorney >General-That being the usual
though not the uniform conrse, | shall consent to
the verdict.
The Lord Chief Justice-That is what l should
have recommended.
The jury were again sworn by the officer of the
court, and NJ. Bernard looked on with some aston
ishment. 1t was, however, explained to him that
this was merely formal matter, and he recovered
his self lfpOssession
The jury having been sworn, the clerk read the
indictment, charging the prisoner in the same terms
as in the former case with the murder of Eugene
Riguer, who also died in consequence of wounds
which he received on the night of the attempt on
the life of the Emperor.
Bernard pleaded ''not guilty"
Inc Lord Chief Justice, addressing the jury, said
In this case no evidence is offered on the part of
the Crown, and you will find a verdict of not
guilty.
The jury returned verdict accordingly.
The prisoner was then removed from the bar, the
Judges left the bench, and the audience gradually
dispersed: The jury, as they LEFT The court escorted
by the under Sherfs, and proceeded to Their hotel on
Ludqate hail. received an enthusiastic OUatiOH from
the cro,od assembled IN the Old Bailey.
The New Orleans Picdyme of the 25th contains
the following in its financial columns:
The street has been somewhat excited bv the sud