The Sun. — 1858-02-18 (London, England)

THE CONSPIRACY BILL.  MEETING IN LAMBETH.  Last evening a very crowded public meeting was held at the Horns Tavern, Kennington, to protest against the 'bill; proposed by Lord Palmerston, in reference to conspiracy to murder. Mr. F. Doulton was called to the chair, Among those on the platform was Mr. Williams, M.P., one of the representatives for Lambeth. A letter from Mr. Roupell, M.P., w read regretting his inability to attend. The CHAIRMAN said the question they were met to discuss was not a political, but a national and as social one, being nothing less than to determine whether we should submit to a deep insult offered to the peeple of this country. (gear.) He contended that the present law was ample to meet any requirements sought to be met by the proposed measure, and no amendment of the law was necessary. (Hear.) The introduction of this bill was a gross insult to our national honour. The country had been denominated in the Monitor a den of coni-pirators, and the people of this country were said to be th: friends of assassins. To the despatch which had been sent by France he considered that a firm and indignant answer should have been given, telling France that their present ruler bad himself enjoyed all the privileges which he now sought to have taken away from less fortunate exiles) and that his demands would not be acceded to. (Hear.) But instead of that the only reply given was the introduction of Lord Palmerston's bill. (Hisses.) The real object of the bill was to endow the state of things at present existing on the Continent— (hear)—and to give Louis Napoleon something to fall back upon by making those around him suppose that this country Would give him its support if necessary. If this bill failed—as fail it would—in its operation, even if it passed into a law, the result would be that some further demand would be made of a similar or more monstrous nature—(hear)—and so things would go on until at last the the press would be objected to by foreign despots and be attempted to be infringed. Let them, that efore, nip th s attemptfreedom of in the bud, and show the futility of all such efforts to introduce despotism amongst us. (Hear, hear.) Mr. GODDARD moved the first resolution—" That this meeting is of Opinion that Lord Palmerston's Conspiracy Bill is unnecessary, and that any attempt to pass a measure at the present time, in consequence of foreign menace, is the spirit and usage of the British nation ; and the meeting pledges itself to oppose the same by every constitutional means." mtclignified and contrary to  --- _. Mr. KNIGHT seconded Mr. WILLIAMS, M lio the resolution. M. •, said he had already shown his objection to the proposed bill by opposing it on its first introduction. They were not met to show the people of France that we were not, as represented in the Moniteur, the friends of assassination, for our nation was too well understood, in his opinion, by the people of France to render any such defence nece,sary. (Hear.) With regard to the Conspiracy Bill, the first lawyers of the day had declared thepresentpent law in reference to the crime of conspiracy to he amply sufficient, and therefore no legislation on The bill, if passed, twheenmPingthtto the meeting, and not add to the eFrench one iota, ts he worldceusir iibt jybe ceo tf inoperative, w hsere qE ttrpe Emperor r. oa(rnCdho of wouldetrsh. have French spies carried with two dissentients (Hear, hear) amidst loud applause. notwithstanding hereThei o resolutionahnda n e was . thatas Mr. HILL moved the next resolution—" That the thanksn given to Mr. Roebuck d who voted with him, for their manly opposition to Lord Palmerston's treacherous and humiliating policy.» and the o f other this hen. meeting m e members r a A petition to Parliament Was then adopted against the bill, and a vote of thanks having been given to the chairman, the proceedings terminated.