The Sun.
London, England, 1851-10-24 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL OCTOBER SESSIONS.

At the sesions just commenced Mr. Henderson, the
Recorder, made the following observation to the grand
jury on party processions in that town on her Ma-
jesty's visit. After alluding to certain recent im-
provements in the criminal law, he said—There is a
case (of which I have seen the depositions) arising out
of the procession on the 14th of July last. I think
every well•regulated minded man, when it is consi-
dered that life was lost on that occasion, must regret
that any such processions should ever take place. For
my part, I think it would be far better that no pro-
cessions of that description should take place for the
future. I understand the object is to commemorate a
great victory, which I may say completed a revolu-
tion in this country, which has been attended with
the most happy consequences to the rights and liber-
ties of all. But one cannot but remember that
it is the commemoration of a victory which many
persons regard as a triumph over their countrymen
and over their religion ; and, this being the case, any
offensive display should be avoided. It should be
avoided because it is calculated to irritate, and to
lead, as it has done in this case, to breaches of the
peace. Therefore I should say that after the lapse of
a century and a half, when all are enjoying the
benefits of that revolution, it is not fitting that that
particular battle and struggle should be brought
forward in public, seeing that it may excite parties
who feel as if they were insulted by such display.
An Englishman may exult in the victory of
Waterloo, but he would never think, where there was
a large body of Frenchmen, of making a public dis-
play of that exultation. Not that his patriotic feeling
would be less, but he would feel the propriety of for-
bearance in such a case. I therefore hope those par-
ties who direct this matter will see the propriety of
abstaining in future from such displays. There are
some processions which stand on a different footing.
I confess I am glad to see the Welshman with his
leek in his hat on St. David's day, or the Irishman
with his shamrock on St. Patrick's day ; it is a feel-
ing of nationality, and may be desirable to stimulate
exertion,
e m
justly
y
proud
ofbe
his f
beautifuls some
Irishman
country,
and a Welshman of his mountains and the tradi-
tions of his country ; and, therefore, I say
the assembling of themselves together on such
thoseaa charged
wrfiret
()cessions stands on a different footing ; but I
doubt whether processions where Irishmen are col-
lected,ht d
as
y. they
It are in
htehenitpsl
tw is the most proper way of exhibiting their feelings on
yrteosceranvu'aste in
preservation such
large
numbers,
much
he
apneaxciet. But
this this being the case, it would be far better that some
commerce of
a large great t interruptionwo
n like
this,
from the
having traffi
other mode of celebrating these days should be
selected. I should also mention another obvious
mischief—
traffic and
large
bodies of people collected in thestreets I should,
therefore, hope that those who have more. influence'
than I have would discountenance processions of
this kind ; because they really excite great anxiety,
and iuvolve parlous evils oa almost every occasion ,

when they take place. Having adverted to these
topics, I cannot but congratulate you on the occa-
sion in which this town lately poured forth its
thousands, and tens of thousands, for a very dif-
ferent purpose. I cannot but think it is most for-
tunate and most creditable to the town to know that
no fault—and, I believe, no serious accident—occurred
on that occasion ; and although circumstances were in
some degree adverse, and the weather unpropitious,
yet it served to test the gracious feeling of her Ma-
j esty,'_who omitted nothing that was possible to gratify
the loyalty of her subjects. But, on the other hand,
it seemed that no adverse circumstances could damp
the ardour of the people, or restrain their acclama-
tions on that occasion. It was something more than
mere curiosity that assembled them; I consider it to
have been a strong proof of their attachment to the
monarchy so happily established in this country. We
have seen in other countries kings dethroned, revolu-
tions agitated, and changes brought, about by tumult
and bloodshed, but not so in this country. We have
witnessed great changes, and gone through great
political excitement, but happily without at all eff,cL
ing the security and steadiness of our government;
and one great reason is, the attachment which the
people have to our established form of government,
together with their confidence in the monarchy, and,
above all, confidence in their Sovereign, who they
well know will seek their welfare, and in every
change take that course best calculated to secure
their interest under any circumstances that may arise.
(The Recorder concluded by dismissing the grand
jury to their duties.)