The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-14 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, NO V. 14, 1867.

Manchester has been gaining an immense dis
tinction in being the centre of Fenianism for the
time being, and it will be with a feeling of relief to
all that the intelligence of the close of the State
trials will be received. Their result has been
pretty much what was anticipated by those well-
informed on the subject, and it is of consequence
to know that no haste has been employed in sifting
the affair, but that a most thorough and complete
investigation has been made into all the
circumstances connected with the matter. Five
men have loeen convicted on the charge
of murder, and seven more have been pro-
nounced guilty of assaulting the police in the
effecting an illegal rescue. The sentence of death
was recorded against the former, whilst the latter
have been condemned to five years' penal servitude.
Only one prisoner out of the fourteen remaining
was acquitted in a regular form by a verdict.
This is not to be wondered at considering the ex-
treme difficulty of identifying so many as between
twenty and thirty, and if some of those who de-
served to be convicted and pay the penalty of their
crime have escaped, we may rest assured that the
ringleaders have for the most part been taken,
and will expiate their guilt according to the
best judgment of the authorities. Sad as the cir-
cumstances connected with this Assize have been
there are some satisfactory points to dwell upon. In
the first place, no feeling of excitement or sentiment
of prejudice has been exhibited throughout its
course ; while, on the other hand, the Counsel for
the Crown acquitted himself of his onerous task in
a manner and with a moderation that were felt and
expressed by those opposed to him. The police who
had to give evidence also displayed au impartiality
and spirit of fair play, which we.are glad to see
recognised by one of the counsel for the defence.
In all these complicated cases there is much to think
of on both sides ; but it must be confessed that in
this instance before us the advantages on the side
of the accused have dwindled down to nothing, or
something very like it.
Where, however, anything pointed in their favour
and did not actually e•tabl sh their guilt, it was
made the most of for them, and only the most
bitterly prejudiced and violently excited partisan of
Fenianism can impugn the manner in which this
notable assize has been conducted. From the highest
to the lowest of those engaged in the administration
of justice, we can discern nothing but a sincere desire
to make the best of it for the accused whenever an
opportunity presented itself, combined with the
endeavour to let justice be fairly administered with
a due regard to the exigencies of the case. The
most awkward of the business is yet, however, to
be got through, and no one can envy the position
of the Home Secretary for the next few weeks. He
will be beset with petitions and overwhelmed with
homilies as to what he should or should not do in the
case of these prisoners. Although everything that has
transpired concerning the guilt of the condemned
tends to confirm their guilt, there is no doubt that
many will be found infatuated enough to plead for
their pardon, or at any rate for a commutation of
the extreme rigour of the law. The best answer
to these well-meaning but mistaken individuals is
to point out to them the chief facts of the case as
established by evidence and fully sifted by the
Court. A❑ attack was made upon the constables
in the prosecution of their duty, and the design of
rescuing the prisoners was put into execution re-
gardless of who might be the sufferers of the mad
exploit, and what lives were sacrificed in the prose-
cution of their work. Surely it needs very little
penetration to say, and very little judgment to de-
termine, that while law and justice are not ciphers
in this country such an outrage cannot be condoned,
and how else can it be treated but with the full
rigour of that law which has been so grievously
offended. The best thing to be done in this sad
and serious business is to let the matter rest with
those upon whom the responsibility of deciiding has
fallen. The Home Secretary will consult with his
colleagues, and as Her Majesty's Ministers are the
best informed upon all points connected. with the
affair, so they will be the best qualified 0 arrive a