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that no notice Had been taken of the gross mis-statements
that had been made, would take further courage
and venture upon a yet more daring step. And my idea
was not without foundation. Upon that silence some one
has drawn conclusions and made a statement that is so
glaring that the task I have to-night is a very easy one
indeed. I don't know if gentlemen read in the papers of
yesterday, or the day before, that a question which was
asked in the House of Commons with reference to the
dynamite outrages, and the reply of the Home Secretary.
Mr. I Healy asked whether the Home Secretary was aware
that there were manufactories in Paris of false penny-alining.
The Home Secretary replied, "Yes, Sir, and
I should not confine it to Paris." Perhaps he had something
in his mind at the time of a branch establishment
somewhere in the neighbourhood of Clcrkcnwell. There
is an old adage, that "Silence gives consent," and I think
that if we, as a Vestry, had remained silent with regard to
statements that have been made of late, we should have
been said to be tacitly assenting to them. Whether I please
or offend it matters but little, but I will say that in my
humble judgment the Vestry of Clcrkcnwell have made
many mistakes, and by a course they have thought fit
to take they have brought upon themselves many
of the attaeks that have been made. Occupying, as
I have, the chair at this Vestry during the past
twelve or fifteen months, it has been no part of my
business to enter into the discussions; but whilst I
recognise that the Vestry have been quite within their
rights in what they have done, yet I venture to think
they have somewhat erred in judgment. That being the
ease, it strengthens my idea of the situation, and makes
my task all the easier. I lay down as a principle, which
cannot be shaken, that the individual—whether it be Sir
Charles Dilke, or whether it, be one of his lacqueys—
whether it be a member of the Government, or a member
of the Clerkenwell Vestry—that individual who circulates
statements without having first ascertained whether they
are true or not, is as morally guilty of falsehood as he
who tells the most direct lie. I say any individual who