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serve it as the palladium of their freedom. He proves, that no country ever lost their liberties, while this mode of trial was universally adopted in its purity and plenitude of power.
Then where is your power, my Lord, of depriving the jury of their right to decide on the law in cases of libel? Perhaps you will say, "These are but opinions, and is not my opinion greater than those " Granted. Let us hear again, then, what Junius records of your Lordship's opinion on the power of juries deciding upon the law, in libels.—"If after all, that the jury would take upon themselves to determine the LAW, THEY MIGHT DO IT." Is not this opinion directly contradictory?
According to Magna Carta, judgments are to be passed by equals: And no man can be imprisoned, disseized of his freehold, deprived of his life or limb, unless by sentence of his Peers. What statute then, can you adduce in support of your opinion? None. Common law is likewise against
