The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-21 00:00:00

TSB PROMISED NETTING IN AIDE TAM.

Though there is no man of sense in the country who at
all fears the political effect of gatherings in Hyde-park,
and thcugh there iz no fear that the leaden of the move.
meat will themselves attempt any breach of the peace, the
Times argues th►t there can be no guarantee that scenes of
violence would not occur, and for this reason, and for the
consideration that a disorderly crowd would make the
place intolerable for persons seeking recreation, the Times
approves of the prohibition of the gathering. No one
1 desires to restrict the right of meeting, but it must be
exercised in fitting places, and the royal parks are not such
places. If they choose to go to the suburbs they can find
open spaces sufficient for any multitude which they will be
able to bring together.
The Poet says that the scum of the two millions who
inhabit this metropolis would form no inconsiderable
portion of such a meeting as that which is announced,
and that it is lawful for the executive to prevent &seem.
blages containing such elements. If the government enter-
tained no apprehension of riotous and disorderly proceed-
ings, Hyde-park would be as much at the disposal of the
members of the Reform League and their followers as it is
►t that of the volunteers when they desire to organise •
review.

The Herald discusses the matter in a manner of its own.
A half-witted 'pouter (it says) like Mr. Edmond Beale*
may have ► power of mischief in him quite inconsistent
with the modicum of brains nature has indulged him with,
and it is just as well that the revising barrister of Tints!.
gar-square should be restrained from further democratic
display in the neighbourhood of the Houses of Parliament.
Let him go to Salisbury Plain, and vociferate there. He
will find plenty of room, a mute audience, and no police.
He will not enjoy such advantages in Trafalgar-square or
in Hyde-park.

The Telegraph asks in what sense Mr. Walpole and Sir
R. Mayne use the words " public meeting." Rotten-row
and ita vicinity are much crowded on a fine afternoon in
July, but no one contends that the mere multitude of
loungers renders them all trespassers. So much for the
auditors at • public meeting. With respect to the
speakers there is equal difficulty. It connot be denied
that persons are at liberty to converse on political topics
in the Park. We are aware that the rule is different at
Berlin, St. Petersburg, and Rome ; but at present we are
not under the domination of the Czar, the Pope,
or Count Bismarck. If the Londoners may discuss
reform on the banks of the savoury Serpentine, can it be
I argued that the elevation of the voice beyond the ordinary
pitch of conversation warrants the arrest of the speaker•',
We can assure Sir Richard Mayne that, should he arrest
any of the orators or listeners at the intended public
meeting, he may have to crack these and a few other hard
legal nuts before he can justify himself in an action for
assault or false imprisonment. Arch-treason itself could
not invent a more cunning weapon for the purposes of the
demagogue than this pedantic and wanton use of royal au-
thority as the tool of the anti-reformers. The Trlegraph
forbears to discuss the possibilities of collision in such a
contest ; but it is obvious that, even if the intended meet-
ing were illegal, it were infinitely the better policy to let
it take place, sad await the future statute for whatever
regulations may be hereafter deemed expedient.
The Star continues to urge the working men to attend,
and tells them they have now the opportunity of showing
whether they are able to assert their right to meet in pub-
lic places for the promotion of their political views, or will
suffer themselves to be conquered by every jack-in-office
whom an unhappy chance may have pitched into power.