The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-25 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 25, 1867.

that if Fenianism wants a martyr to redeem it '
from the contempt into which the MASSEIR and
CORYDONS have been sinking it, the whole organi-
zation could hardly supply better material to the
hands of the Government than are to be found
in the personal character of BURKE. With the
exception, perhaps, of Luev, now suffering im-
prisonment, his character is one of the fairest that
Feniaainun has produced. He stands before Ire-
land, England, and the world, as an honourable
and public-spirited man, who loves his country
better than himself. We do not say that it may not
be necessary and proper under some circumstances
to hang such a man. The Government has indu-
bitable rights against him ; the only question is
whether it is wise to exercise them ; and it is one
which we do not presume to decide. Not long
since, when a Fenian lay in a Canadian prison
under sentence of death, one of the cold-blooded
manipulators of the movement in the United States
(President Romans we think) wrote an inspiriting
letter to him, hoping he would not be respited, and
pointing out how much more serviceable his death
would be to the cause. The Canadian Executive
appeared to be of the same opinion, and the man's
life was not taken. It is to be further remembered
after no previous occasion of disorder has the public
sentiment of the loyal portion of the population
been manifested so fully in opposition to the
capital punishment of the offenders as on this.
The late rising was noticeable for the absence of
some of the worst features of former outbreaks,
and it cannot be said that those who took part in
it showed themselves bloodthirsty. It has been
generally expected that the Government, in its
turn, whilst upholding the law, would show
itself not without moderation. One more
consideration is suggested by a telegram which
has arrived by the Atlantic cable. It ap-
pears that apprehensions are entertained of
another Fenian raid upon Canada. Should it
take place, it ia pretty certain that new arrests and
convictions will take place, and capital sentences
be passed. Hitherto no Fenian has been executed in
Canada, though surely some of the convicts as well
deserved to die as BURKE. We do not think it
too much to assume that large considerations of
policy had their influence in determining the Home
Government to exercise its clemency towards the
Fenian convicts in Canada, at a time when the
lives and property of our fellow-countrymen cer-
, tainly needed all the protection which a vigorous
enforcement of the law could afford. The execution
of BURKE, however, would fix a standard of treat-
ment from which it would be difficult to deviate ;
for the honour of the country would not permit
it to relax in a colony bordering on the United
States, and in favour of prisoners for whom Mr.
SEWARD writes despatches, a rule which it upholds
in Ireland. These are some of the considerations
which the Government will doubtless weigh before
the day appointed for the execution, without feel-
ing that its discretion has been fettered by the
latest announcements of the LORD-LIEUTENANT.

ally) to be included in the range of a political qualifica-
tion suited only as a test for men, but it must be in larger
numbers, and by some teat expressly devised to discrimin-
ate the women meet likely to be conversant with political
affairs. Mr. Mill's amendment would have produced no
practical effect, and what little it did produce probably in
the wrong direction. Of the few women who are now
really able politicians, much the greater number, though
not the most conspicuous, are women who would not have
been qualified at all under Mr. Mill's amendment. Married
women, who would need some qualification as joint occu-
piers—both in the poorer and the richer classes—know as

a rule a great deal more of politics than single women,
though the latter, when they do study political questions,
are more likely of course to make their names known to
the world. Though all the salient feminine politicians are
single women, the grc►tst existing stock of feminine
politics is no doubt latent in that class of women to whom
Mr. Mill did not propose to offer say share of political
power.

- -
THE FENIAN CONVICTS.

DEPUTATION TO THE LORD LIEUTENANT.

The deputation appointed at the late public
meeting held at the Mansion-house, under the presidency
of the Lord Mayor, waited upon the Lord Lieutenant yes-
terday afternoon at the Vicente' Lodge, to present the
memorial adopted on that occasion.
The LORD LIEUTENANT delivered the following reply :
" ltly Lord Mayor and Gentlemen, I receive your memorial
with all the attention and respect due to any expression of
feeling in favour of extending mercy to those condemned,
however justly, to suffer the extreme penalty of the law.
The cases of the two convicts therein referred to, Burke
and Doran, have received the most anxious consideration
of her Majesty's government, and it was a great satisfaction
to me to find that effect could he given to the recommenda-
tion of the jury in favour of Doran without detriment to
the interests of justice. No one can deplore more deeply
than I do the sad necessity of carrying out, in any case,
the extreme penalty of the law, however justly it may
have been incurred, or be more desirous that the preroga-
tive of mercy should be exercised in all proper eases; and
it is, therefore, • meet painful, though imperative, duty
to inform you that her Majesty's government, after the
fullest and most anxious examination of all the circum-
stances of Burke's case, has been unable to discover any
such mitigating circumstances as would justify recom-

mendatiori that the prerogative of mere; alsoidd be ex-
ercised in his favour, or would warrant any interference
with the sentence pronounced upon him, further than by
the remission of those seessories annexed by the law in
cases of high treason."
Rev. Canon Purr—May we ask your excellency if you
think that, by presenting the petition at the foot of the
throne, we might hope for the exercise of her Majesty's
gracious clemency
LORD-LIEUTZNANT—I am afraid in this case there is no
possibility
Rev. Canon Pon—We know that your excellency's
heart is diaposed towards clemency, and we would say that
if you could hold out any hope of the prayer of our peti-
tion being granted, the clergy and people of Ireland would
be most anxious to urge it, and bow their heads before
her Majesty's throne ; and, for the sake of the country for
which she is so deeply interested, perhaps she may eventu.
ally be graciously pleased to exercise her prerogative of
mercy. If there was any possibility of this, I doubt not
that a deputation from this body would proceed to the foot
of the throne, and present the memorial.

Losti-Lizursnorr—l am afraid it is impossible for me
to hold out any hope whatever, the question has been so
fully considered. lam afraid it is impossible.
LORI; CHANCELLOB—Yes.

Rev. CANoN Pore—Would it be possible to induce your
excellency to say there was still ► chance?
I.oßD•Ltctrraxexr—l am afraid not. lam afraid I can
hold out no hope.
Rev. Dr. BrxArr—Would your excellency say it was
possible to extend the time to enable further efforts to be
made

Loan-LiEuTrxANT—I am afraid I cannot do that. (To
the Lord Chancellor)—Do you think bo?
LORD CHANCELLOR- I am afraid not.

Mr. RICHLIU) ALLI.N-1 can assure your excellency that
the exercise of clemency would have a good effect. There
is a very strong feeling in favour of it. 1 never saw so
great an anxiety to sign a memorial. The feeling 'livery
general indeed—both amongst the public and the Society
of Friends, of which I am a member—that the exercise of
clemency would be attended with the very best effects.
Loau-Luturgrwir —I am afraid it would be impossible
for me to hold out any hope in this case.
Alderman IdortAn thanked the Lord-Lieutenant for the
promptitude with which he had replied to the memorial.
The deputation then withdrew.

The Freeman's Journa/ of yesterday says :—" We
are in a position to state that the warrant for the execu-
tion of Burke was yesterday transmitted from the office of
the clerk of the crown to the sheriff of the county. This,
we may observe, is a formal proceeding, and does not
necessarily indicate that all hopes for a commutation are
at an end. The warrant Maned yesterday is the official inti-
mation of the court to the sheriff of what has taken
place—th►t is, that Burke was tried, found guilty, and
sentenced to be executed on Wednesday, the 29th ; and
then the warrant authorizes the sheriff to carry out the
order of the court. If the dread sentence of the law
should be carried out, it appears that one of the convicts
in the prison has offered his services as executioner, which
have been accepted. To-day being the anniversary of
the birth of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen would
be a most auspicious time to extend the royal clemency to
the condemned man, whose death would accomplish no
desirable object, and whose reprieve would be rr,irdial
by all classes of the community as an act of mercy worthy
of the great sovereign of a great empire.•

CABINET Councn..—There will be a cabinet
council this (Saturday) afternoon, at half-past 3
o'clock ; at the Earl of Derby's official residence in
Downing-street.

\VINDSOR, FRIDAY.—The forty-eighth birthday
of her Majesty the Queen was this day celebrated by the
inhabitants of /the royal borough with the customary
honours. Early in the morning joyous peals were sent
forth from the towers of the Chapel Royal, of St. George
and St. John's Church, which were repeated at intervals
throughout the day. At 1 o'clock a royal salute was fired
from the corporation ordnance in the Long-walk, by the
town boinbadier, and at the Maine hour royal salutes were
fired from the Adelaide frigate, on Virginia-water, and at
Fort Belvedere, in the Great Park. The houses along the
principal streets were gaily decked with flags and banners.
In the evening a large party of the inhabitanta dined toge-
ther at the White Hart Hotel in honour of the day. A fat
buck, sent by command of her Majesty from Windsor
Great Park, with other choice viands, graced the table.
Mr. F. K. Copeland, the mayor, presided. " The
Queen," and other loyal and patriotic touts, were done
honour to in the choice wines of the worthy host, Mr.
Johnson. The pleasures of the evening were much
enhanced by some excellent singing of the choir of
St. George's Chapel.

Last night Lady Carew gave her first musical
party this reason, at her residence in Belgrave-equare.
Some of the most distinguished Italian artistes assisted on
the occasion—MM.. Titiene, Madame Trebelli, Signor
Bettinl, Signor Hoed, Signor Graziani, Signor Gardoni,
ke. Mr. Benedict presided at the pianoforte.
The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mock-
lenburgh-Strelitz and the Hereditary Prince Adolphus
honoured the Earl and Countess of Wilton with their
presence at dinner last evening, at their family man-
sion in Grosvenor-square. There were present the
Duke of Rutland, the Earl and Countess of Bradford,
the Earl and Countess of Clarendon, the Earl and
Countess Vane, the Earl and Countess of Cork, Lord
and Lady Foley, Lad Dunkellin, Hon. Frederick C►l-
thorpe, Mrs. %Me Cochrane, Dr. Quin, Mr. Courtenay,
and lady Caroline Cast in waiting on the Grand Duchess.

The Bishop of London yesterday confirmed morn
than 400 young persons at St. James's Church, Pad-
dington.

The Right Hon. E. P. Bonverie, M.P., and Mr.
Ling, M.P., had an interview with the Chancellor of
the Exchequer, in Downing-street, yesterday.
Mr. Clarkson Stanfield will be buried at Renaal-
green on Monday.

_
Wstrnsirorris ABBEY.—The Lord Bishop of Ox-
ford will be the preacher at the special evening cervices
in Westminster Abbey at 7 p.m. to-morrow.

_ .
UNITED RILFORM DEMONSTRATION IN MANCHU-
TER.—Greta preparations are being made to secure the
success of the proposed Demonstration in Manchester on
Saturday next. The demonstration is being organised by
a joint committee, consisting of eight members of the exe-
cutive of the National Reform Union, and eight of the
Reform League. In addition to the numerous branches
and friends of the two reform associations, it L confidently
expected that not leas than 20,000 members of various
trades, friendly, and temperance societies will join the pro-
cession. It is hoped that each town in Lancashire and the
surrounding counties will send in their contingents. The
procession will walk through the principal streets of the
city, finally proceeding by Stretford-road (one of the finest
roads out of Manchester), to • large field near Brook's-
bar, where the several meetings will be held. In order to
suit the general convenience of those coming from • dis-
tance, the time for the procession to start is fixed for
4 o'clock pan.