The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-11-27 00:00:00

THE SOCIALIST DEMONSTRATION IN

LONDON.

Under a dull sky, and in damp and somewhat
misty November weather, the Socialists held their
demonstration on Sunday afternoon in Trafalgar-
square, ostensibly on behalf of the unemployed. There
was an immense assemblage of the public, and after
the recent talk of great police and military prepara-
tions to stem the tide of riot, should disturbances un-
happily ensue, the first question to be asked is, How
did the proceedings pass off? It is satisfactory indeed
to record that all went well. Order was maintained
from first to last; the Sociali ts talked without
hindrance at their five separate meetings for a full
hour, and then passed their resolutions, and a vast
crowd looked on rather than listened from every
point of vantage. Obviously the large majority of
the people present were mere onlookers, well clad,
comfortable looking well-to-do folks, many of
whom apparently did not wish to get within earshot
of the speakers, but kept mostly at a distant point.of
view, having come to see what was going on. A
class well represented too, according to the police,
was the criminal population of London, who are a
dangerous element in all outdoor gatherings, but these
persons ready for any opportunity that disorder
might offer, found no further scope for their energies
than pocket-picking. Conspicuous also by their
numbers were mischievous lads of a rough class,
whose fun was a species of rowdyism which they were
allowed to indulge in harmlessly among themselves.
The Socialists, judging by those who actively in-
terested themselves in the meetings, were a small
minority of the truly large assembly, though the
desire to help the unemployed was one that might
have enlisted the sympathy of all. One feature of
the proceedings, while they lasted, was the absence of
interference on the part of police or military. So
far as Trafalgar-equare was concerned the people,
in fact, Were left to themselves. Drawn up in
the road on each side of the square, however, in silent
watchfulness, was a cordon of mounted policemen,
with a few extra patrols of foot constables in the
thoroughfares around. But where was the large
force of police, taken from every division of the me-
tropolis, to preserve order ? They were kept out of
sight in side streets in the neighhourhood, and mar-
shalled at convenient points ready to be brought at a
moment,'s notie,, to wherever they might be wanted.
As for military aid, it is true that cavalry was avail-
able if needed, being held in readiness in the bar-
racks, and a magistrate was not far off if required to
read the Riot Act. The authorities wisely trusted
the people to themselves, merely regulating the traffic,
and kept their force for an emergency that did not
arise. Their chief task was in simply clearing the
thoroughfares after the demonstration.
The principal meeting was held at the base of the
Nelson Column, but from five platforms a resolution
was simultaneously put and carried, calling upon the
Government to take immediate steps to organise the
labour of the unemployed, to alter the mode of out-
door relief, to reduce the hours of labour in Govern-
ment establishments, and to suggest to the School
Boards throughout the country the necessity of pro-
viding one free meal per day for the pupils.
With the passing of the resolutions the meetings
ended soon after four o'clock. By this time the lamps
had been lighted, and dusk had set in. The proces-
sions were re-formed, and with banners and bands at
once started off to march homewards. Needless almost
to say. that they carried away with them a consider-
able following from Trafalgar-square. Mr. champion
was raised upon the shotdders of some stalwart So-
cialists and borne thus in triumph with the Chelsea
contingent, which went westward through Pall-mall,
up St. James's street, and along Piccadilly. A large
crowd accompanied this procession, which was fol-
lowed by several policemen on horseback. Some of
the crowd hooted and yelled on passing the clubs, the
closed windows of which and the balconies were full of
occupants. At the Carlton Club—on the steps of
which several policemen were posted one
member putting up a window looked out
smiling at the procession, and some orange
peel was thrown at him. This,lowever, was the only
notable incident of the march through clubland, apart
film the hissing and jeering which were indulged in
by some as much in the spirit of fun as anything else.
At Bennett-street, which leads from St. James's-street
to Arlington-street, there was a detachment of police,
and another force was also at the entrance to Arling-
ton-street from Piccadilly, some mounted men being
on duty there, while in front of Lord Salisbury's resi-
dense there was a cordon of police. There were also
in reserve police in the Green-park, and a body of
mounted men stationed out of observation in the
courtyard of Devonshire House, Piccadilly. There
was, therefore, no lack of aid at hand for the defence
of the Prime Minister's house. As it was the crowd
contented themselves with groaning at Arlington-
street, and passing harmlessly along Piccadilly. A
few mounted police followed each procession home-
wards to prevent mischief.