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 bettor 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 he brought
forward in public, seeing that it may excite parties
who fk,el., 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 bat on St. David's day, or the Irishman
with his shamrock on St. Patrick's day; it is a feel-
the
Irishman
.assembling m
feel-
ing of nationality, and may be desirable to stimulate
exertion, which may possibly be of some benefit. An
ando.ee aybe justly proud of his beautiful country,
asaiaNaVselsehtamat of his mountains and the tradi-
tions of his country and, therefore, I say
ofon
adifferentthemselves' together o gieutuhtei
footing
g o;
bustuchl
doubt whether processions where
. Irishmen are col-
lected, as they are in this town, such large
. numbers,
is the most proper way of eiihbiting their feelings on
the
et
case,freq frequently
iahnyag.rged with the pyresceravusteisonmotif
would bea
far et
this
thosethat
b dec
betterill
e anxietypte
that
ac te.someut to
other mode of celebrating these days should
shou
obvious ld be
selected. I should also mention anotheramischief—the great interruption to the traffic and
commerce of a large town like this, from having large
bodies of people collected in the streets. 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 involve serious evils on almost every occasion

when they take place. Having adverted to these
topics, I cannot but congratulate you n 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-
jesty,'.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 effect-
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 coarse best calculated to secure
their interest under any circumstances that may arise.
(The Recorder concluded by dismissing the grand
jury to their duties.)