The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-04-16 00:00:00

GREAT DEMONSTRATION IN HYDE
PARK.

A great political demonstration in opposition to the
Government bill for the amendment of the criminal
law in Ireland was held in Hyde-park on Easter
Monday. Huge processions from each populous
quarter of London marched upon the ground, and
addresses were delivered to the vast assembly from
sixteen different platforms, a resolution condemning
the Ministerial measure being passed simultaneously.
It is roughly 'estimated that from 100,000 to 200,000
persons were present. Among the members of Par- '
liament who took part in the proceedings were Mr.
Cremer, Mr. Seale-Hayne, Mr. Labouchere, Mr.
Broadhurst, Mr. T. D. Sullivan, Mr. Conybeare, Mr.
W. Redmond, Mr. Stuart, Mr. Pickersgill, Mr. G.
Howell, Mr. T. P. O'Connor, Mr. James Rowlands,
and Ur. Cobb. The greatest good order prevailed
throughout. Mr. Labouchere, who addressed one of
the largest audiences from Platform No 3, said that
this magnificent demonstration showed that
the people had come there thoroughly in earnest, de-
termined to support their Irish brethren in the
struggle against coercion, and to show them that
such a policy would not be allowed. The Tories were
in a minority in Parliament and out of it, but they
held power because they were supported by certain re-
creant Radicals, and these recreants were traitors to
the principles which up to now they had professed. "I
denounce them," he said, "to your eternal recollection.
I advise you neither to forget nor to forgive them."
This was greeted with loud cheering, and Mr. Labon-
ehere, continuing, said the present Parliament had
no right to pass a coercion law against the wish of the
majority of those who elected it, especially consider-
ing that most of the members were elected by pledg-
ing themselves to vote against the very measure they
were going to support. It was this party which had
refused to hear Mr. Gladstone in Parliatrent, and
had closed his mouth when he wished to speak in
favour of liberty. Here there were groans and cries
of " Shame " from the audience, which changed to
laughter when the speaker proceeded to say that the
principles of the Government were the ruffianism of
Bill Sikes, whilst their tactics partook of tho
sneaking hypocrisy of ITriah Heep. The bill itself,
he went on to say, was iniquitous, but the mode in
which it was being rushed through Parliament was, if
po.sible, still more iniquitous; and if it passed he
hoped the Irish would resist and show that it was
more easy to pass than to enforce coercion. If there
were disturbances and outrages the responsibility
would rest with the Salisburys, the Hartingtons, and
the Chamberlains. Each of these names called forth
a plentiful shower of groans and hisses. "Our
cause," Mr. Labouchere went on, "is a common
cause, the danger is a common danger, and the resist-
ance must be a common resistance." The Govern-
ment had raised the feeling of England. If they were
wise they would bend to the storm. If they were not
wi: e they would confront it, and then let the danger
be upon their heads. This concluding sentence was
loudly cheered, and after some other speakers had
addressed the crowd, Mr. Laboachere made another
speech, in which, referring.to the aspersions cast upon
this meeting by the London Press, he said that
If they were not satisfied with this demonstration
there would be next time such a demonstration that
they woald not be able to say again that it was a sham
one. One paper had said that this was going to be a
mere mob. "I have not the slightest objection," he
remarked, "to being called one of a mob, provided
that that mob is in the right, and has come togelher
for a good object; and I hold that no better object
could bring the people of London toget her than to
prevent this abominable and detestable coercion war,
which now, for the 86th time, is going to be waged
against Ireland.* Loud cheers compelled the speaker
to stop here, after wi '1 he corrr • ",The people
are, under this Jill. • &7 tencter
mercies of th,'S- eery or England, celled resident
magistrates, and, whereas other bills have been only
for one or two years, this bill is to be permanent." ,