The Express.
London, England, 1867-11-25 00:00:00

DEMONSTRATION IN BIRMINGHAM.

Early yesterday forenoon Mr. Glossop, Chief
Superintendent of Police, became aware that it was the in-
tention of the Irish to have a funeral procession, and a ser-
vice at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Nechells Green, as a mark of
respect for the three men executed at Manchester on Satur-
day. He at oboe despatched messengers to the supposed
leaden of the party, informing them that no procession
would be allowed, and that if it was the intention
of any to go to the cemetery, they might go singly ; but
that any attempt to go in a body would be opposed by the
police. The Horse Fair, Grata-green, and the Old Square
having been named as the points for assembling, Mr.
Glossop despatched Inspector Wilson to the Home Fair,
and Superintendent Sheppard to the Old Square, each
with small bodies of police. Many Irish, dressed in mourn-
ing, and with some green emblems on their dress, began
to congregate at these places, but they were told they must
not foun in procession, and finding that it would be impossi-
ble to go in a body, they went quietly in groups of three and
four f rom all parts of the town, and about 3 o'clock avaat Gem-
pany, numbering about 2,500, assembled on the slopes of i
St. Joseph's Cemetery,Nechells. Then were many women
present, and the greater part, both men and women, wore
green ribbons on their hats, which in some cases were covered
with crape. A few had green rosettes on their costs. A young
man belonging to the party began to read a portion of the
Roman catholic Litany, and the whole assembly knelt
down on the greensward, and some on the rough gravel,
and uncovering their heads beat forward in an attitude of
solemn supplication while the prayer for the dead was
recited. The scene was one of a most singular and im-
pressive character, and around the body of Irish engaged
in this strange but earnest service, an immense body of
spectators looked on, most of them uncovering out of
respect for feelings evidently so heartfelt and solemn.
After the service was over Inspector Kelly, who bad been
present during the service, spoke to those nearest
him, and said that Mr. Glossop, who had also been •
witness of the ecene,was pleased with the attention of the
people to his request not to go in procession, and was glad
to see the order in which they had conducted the pro-
ceedings. He hoped they would observe his instructions
in retiring, as he would be obliged to prevent any of them
marching away in a body. After leaving the cemetery,
three cheers were given for Mr. Glossop and three for the
police, but a large party of the Irish disregarded the
warning that they bad received, and formed themselves in
procession, four deep. This body, which increased as it
proceeded and extended for fully • quarter of a mile,
marched to Goan Green, where a force of police was
stationed under Superintendent Spier. Mr. Kelly again
addressed the crowd, and earnestly requested the Irish to
go quietly to their homes. The body appeared to separate ;
but Mr. Glossop, who had followed up to this point, was
informed that a detachment were on their way to the Old-
square. He quickly despatched Superintendents Shep-
pard and Spier and Inspector Wilson, with 100 men, in the
square, and they arrived just in time to see that a table
had been brought, and one or two leaders were about to
make speeches. It was supposed th►t a number of resolu-
tions were to be proposed, but the prompt action of Mr.
Glossop prevented any further proceedings. The officers
named led their men into the centre of the square, where
they formed them in two lines, and, marching outwards,
cleared the square in • few minutes. The Irish then went
to their homes, and no further demonstration was made
during the afternoon or evening.