The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-03-27 00:00:00

A HYDE PARK DEMONSTRATION:

An Irish demonstration on a large scale was held on
Sunday in Hyde Park, the object being three-fold—
viz., to demand the release of the Irish political pri-
soners; to thank the electors of Tipperary for twice
returning Mr. John Mitchell to Parliament' and to
protest against the continuance of the Irish Coercion
Acts. It was estimated that upwards of 20,000 persons
were present. It had been announced by the promoters
that the chair would be taken at three o'clock, and
between that hour and four o'clock—the time when
the business of the meeting actually commenced—from
8,000, to 10,000 persons had assembled in that portion
of the Pk where the "demonstrations" are usually
held. While some passed the time in lounging about,
others congregated in groups discussing the "wrongs
of Ireland.
Trafalgar-square had been appointed as the place
for uniting the processions which it had been arranged
should come up from the various districts, and from
three o'clock until three thirty the contingents from
Lambeth, Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Deptford? Lime-
house, and the other outlying localities arrived in
considerable numbers and rapid succession, until the
square became completely filled. Each contingent had
with it a band and banners. After some delay the
mass of people was put in order, and the march to the
Park commenced. At the head of the procession was
borne a large green and white flag, on which
was emblazoned the Irish harp, with the words,
" God save Ireland !" This was followed by
a banner representing a full-length figure of
St. Patrick trampling upon a serpent, and
bearing the words "Ireland will regain her own
again. The procession was made up of about
10,000 persons, and there were 12 bands and about 200
flags belonging to the branches of the Catholic
Temperance League, the Home Rule Federation, and
the Labour Protection League, several of whose
branches are almost exclusively composed of Irishmen.
As the mass of people made their way through the
already assembled crowds towards the "Reformer's
Tree," with the bands playing, the banners waving,
and the people cheering, a most imposing spectacle
was presented. At a few minutes after four o'clork
the chair was taken by Mr. Doherty, the crowd form-
ing a dense circle, surrounded by the banners.
The Chairman in opening the proceedings, said he
could not but feel that the great and enthusiastic meet-
ing before him would have its due weight with Mr.
Disraeli and his Cabinet, and that, as regarded the
political prisoners' they would feel it their duty and
interest to attend to the voice of the people and release
those brave and long-suffering men. He then referred
to the proceedings connected with the Tipperary elec-
tion, and announced the death of Mr. John Mitchell.
The whole of the assemblage within hearing of the
chairman here uncovered and continued so for about
a minute. The chairman c3ncluded a temperate
address by expressing a hope that in future the Legis-
lature would deal out justice instead of coercion to
his beloved country.
The meeting was subsequently addressed by several
speakers, in speeches characterized by language much
more moderate than usual at similar meetings, the
strongest point being the urging Irishmen not to enlist
in the British Army so long as the English Parliament
refused to do justice to Ireland. Three resolutions
were unanimously adopted—the first declaring it just
and expedient that the Irish political prisoners should
be unconditionally released ; the second congratulating
the electors of Tipperary upon their conduct in twice
electing Mr. John Mitchell, and condoling with his
family on the loss they have sustained by his death;
and the third protesting against any coercive legisla-
tion for Ireland as unjust and unnecessary.
The proceedings, which were very orderly through-
out, were brought to a close about half-past five
o'clock, and the vast assemblage quickly dispersed.