The Express.
London, England, 1864-01-19 00:00:00

THH CONVICT WRIOHT AND THE HOME

SECRETARY.

At a large meeting of working men held last
evening iu Southwark, the Rev. Newman Hall vindicated
the authorities spinet the charge of inhumanity or per-
tiality, while regretting their decision. He understood that
at a meeting held on the evening of the emeentien the Na-
tional Anthem was refused. This was • great mistake.
The Queen bad always acted most loyally to the coastitution,
wham deputed the execution of law to resrponsible ministers.
If they did wrong they could be punished ; this was the
security of liberty. In the former times of despotism the
monarch did interfere in many ways. But who would like
to be a responsible minister if he was controlled by a supe-
rior who was irresponsible'! Besides, if the Queen
interfered to save the life of convict No. 1,
she would be regarded responsible for the death
of No. 2 if she refused to interfere in his case too.
Therefore, though be had been much disappointed in his
unavailing journey to Windsor, he felt that, whatever the
Queen's private impulses, the reasons for non-interference
with the Hoene Secretary were sound and good. (Load
cheers.) The HOMO Secretary, when applied to, said he
wasonly the administrator of the law. - Them was an act
of parliament which demanded the respite of Townley ; and
d the judge, who was the interpreter of the law, mid that
there were circumstances which would warrant • caromu-
tatiou of sentence in Wright's case, be (the Horne SECT..
tary) would commute it. Bat the judge said that as a
lawyer he maid see no reason in the muumuus, why the
sentence should be altered. Repeated appeals were then
made to Sir G. Grey to exercise the royal prerogative.
Though he declined to do this, he manifested
all willingness to attend to any representations made
to him. He received and answered letters, and
patiently listened to whatever could be urged by
numerous deputations. A fact not generally known would
amply vindicate him from any charge of hearths indif-
ference. lie bad received a deputation as late as half-pest
ten on Monday night. A personal stranger to him,
having been late in the evening in Southwark, and im-
pressed with the excited state of public feeling, was
prompted tonsake one more effort and urge oa the Home
Secretary a short adjournment, in order to avoid the poen-
bility of a riot. Much time was loot in dis-
covering the temporary lodging of Sir G. (hey, when
the servant had at length opened the door, it was *early
two o'clock. Yet, though Sir G. Grey bad gone to bed,
after a day of unusual anxiety and toil, be rose to receive
his visitor, and with perfect courtesy and patience listened
to every argument which was urged. This one fact should
be sufficient to vindicate him from the imputation of
iodifferenoe or obstinacy. (Loud cheers.) Credit should
be gives him for the best motives in keeping to what be con-
sidered the law, though they might regret the decision.
Public opinion had been so strongly expressed against the
execution of Wright that there was danger of his crime
being overlooked. It was very injurions, socially and
morally, whoa the law was censured more than the law
breaker, and • sort of ovation given to • man who, in •
rage, had cut • woman's throat. But good might come out
of evil. Law must be upheld .while it was law, but bad
laws should be changed. And he hoped that a strong
effort would now be made to abolish capital punishments
altogether. (Loud cheers.)