The Trial of Henry Hetherington, on an Indictment for BlasphemyHetherington, H. (Henry)
Religion
The Trial of Henry Hetherington, on an Indictment for Blasphemy
Hetherington, H. (Henry)
Hetherington, H. (Henry), 1792-1849 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Trials (Blasphemy) -- England -- London
were the foundation of our holy religion--the law did not interfere with
them so long as they kept their opinions to themselves, and did not
publicly attack the authenticity of the Bible. Mr. Hetherington had
spoken of the effect of prosecution in extending the sale of such
publications, alluding particularly to the _Poor Man’s Guardian_; but
he, the Attorney-General, called upon the Jury to do their duty by
bringing? to punishment those who outraged the law, that others might be
deterred from offending. If the Jury looked at the immoral tendency of
such writings, and the doctrines of non-responsibility laid down by Mr.
Hetherington, who declared that he was neither responsible for his
belief, nor his actions--
Mr. Hetherington here interrupted, declaring that the Attorney-General
was acting most unfairly towards him. He never used such language, but
quite the contrary; what he maintained was, that he was not responsible
for his _belief_ but that he _was responsible for his_ actions. If he
injured a friend, a neighbour, or a fellow-citizen, he was amenable to
society for the injury done. The Attorney-General, he contended, was not
replying to him, but perverting his arguments and misrepresenting facts.
Lord Denman said that he agreed with the Defendant in the first
instance, and therefore he thought he was justified in putting the
Attorney-General right; but the Attorney-General, he thought, was
entitled to make any remarks upon facts which came out in evidence.
Mr. Hetherington (with great vehemence).--But he is mis-stating facts,
and making statements calculated to mislead the Jury.
Lord Denman.--You must not interrupt.
The Defendant.--But my liberty is at stake, and I will speak. (Applause
at the back of the court, which was instantly suppressed by the
officers.)
Lord Denman.--You shall be heard in correction of anything you may think
a misrepresentation, afterwards; not in reply, but merely in correction.
The Defendant.--Thank you, my Lord.
The Attorney-General observed, that the Defendant denied being the
publisher, but he would convince the Jury that he was, by reading the
title to them. He then read the title of the book--omitting the
publisher’s name, and reading the name of the Defendant only, till Mr.
Hetherington insisted upon his rending the whole title as
follows:--"Letters to the Clergy of all Denominations, showing the
Errors, Absurdities, and Irrationalities of their Doctrines. By C. J.
Haslani. Fourth Edition. Manchester: A. Heywood. 56 and 60, Oldham
Street. London*; Hetherington, 126, Strand; Cleave, Shoe Lane, Fleet
Street; Watson, City Road, Finsbury; and J. Guest, Birmingham; and all
Booksellers in Town and Country."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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