The Sun.
London, England, 1868-09-09 00:00:00

MURPHY Al MANCHESTER.

If the man Murphy is really his own adviser,
and not merely the agent of persons of higher
station and of even less principle, he must be given
the credit of considerable shrewdness in his recent
proceedings at Manchester, says a contemporary.
To hold an itinerant lecturer to bail on the charge
of using language likely to produce a breach of the
peace is not a very startling step, though the
magistrates of the Lancashire towns were a long
time making up their minds to take it in the case
of Murphy. But to hold a candidate for the re-
presentation of Manchester to bail on a similar
charge is a step the very notion of which seems to
have absolutely paralyzed the Manchester authori-
ties. It might have been expected, however, that
they would before this have convinced themselves
that the new shape which Murphy has given to his
proceedings does not in the least alter their
essential character. At present the magistrates
stand exposed to the charge of seriously neglecting
their duty. The proper course would have bean
to consign Murphy to gaol until he and Lis sureties
had paid the sums for which they are severally
liable, and until some other of his friends could be
found to give more substantial bail for his good
behaviour. We suspect that when once this pro-
cess is found to involve serious and repeated losses,
Murphy will either be obliged to moderate his
language or find his supporters inclined to fight
shy of him. The distinction on which he seems to
rely for impunity is, it is almost needless to say,
without foundation. There is but one law for
Parliamentary candidates and for the rest of the
Queen's subjects. If it were not so, the two or
three months preceding a general election might
easily become a period of absolute anarchy. In
Ireland, for example, any number of Fenian agita-
tors night come forward as candidates for Parlia-
ment, and in that character might spout any
amount of treason with impunity. Indeed, of the
two an electioneering speech is more obnoxious
than a lecture. The latter is nominally intended
for persons who agree' with the lecturer, but on
Saturday Murphy addressed himself to the electors
of Manchester generally, so that among those
formally invited to hear him were included a large
number of the very persons whom his language
was likely to provoke to a breach of the peace.
The question' for the magistrates to consider is, not
in what capacity Murphy has used certain words,
but what is the nature of the words used and under
what circumstances they were spoken. Supposing
them to be satisfied upon these two points, they
need not trouble themselves about anything else.
If the notion that the law is silent during election
time once gains currency, it will be impossible for
any peaceable person to live in Lancashire during
the next three months. Murphy will no doubt
offer himself as a candidate at all the towns where
there are Irish to be 'provoked, and the progress
which was interrupted last year will be resumed
and completed with triumphant impunity this
autumn.

We do not say this out of any sympathy with
the rioters of Saturday. The fact that Murphy
and his abettors are infinitely the more blameable
of the two by no means exonerates the Irish mob.
The latter came fully prepared for a row, and had
actually proceeded to overt acts of violence before
Murphy came on the ground. It is only in a
secondary sense, therefore, that his speech can be
said to have produced this particular breach of the
peace.. It was the result, it is true, of a great
many former speeches, but still the rioters cannot
plead that they were surprised into violating the
law. So long as even justice is dealt out on both
sides, and Murphy comes in for his full share of
punishment, we have no wish to see his adversaries
let off too easily. Murphy is virtually in the posi-
tion of a man who tempts another to commit a
crime, and 'though a man in that position may be •
justly visited with the same severity as the actual
criminal, the latter must still bear his own burden.
To hold the Manchester rioters excused Murphy's
conduct would be to establish a principle which,
though it might do no substantial injustice in the
present case—since a broken head is a very much
smaller punishment than Murphy and his friend,
deserve—would be capable of the most dangerous
applications. If it were understood that when-
ever a speech is followed by a riot, the speaker is
to be alone held responsible, the law which pro-
hibits language tending to prod ice breaches of the
peace would be deprived of an important safe-
guard. The knowledge that rioting will certainly
be punished does afford some security that it will
not be indulged in except under serious provoca-
tion ; whereas, if the existence of provocation were
allowed to involve impunity, freedom of speech
would be put at the mercy of any set of ruffians
who happened to dislike the particular sentiments
uttered. Only, if the rioters are to be punished
with any salutary effect, it is absolutely essential
that Murphy should not be allowed to twist the
law at his pleasure. Every Roman Catholic in
Manchester is convinced, and rightly convinced,
that Murphy has forfeited his recognizances, and
ought before now to have been in confinement.
Unfortunately, the lower class of Roman Catho-
lics will not stop at this. They will attribute to
magisterial sympathy what is really the result of
magisterial timidity. They will assume that the
original binding over to keep the peace was a
farce, and that Murphy's impudent evasion of the
law has the tacit sanction of the authorities. If
the Manchester magistrates do not mean to take
any measures against him for what he has done al-
ready—not merely for what he may do hereafter—
they had better have let the rioters alone al-
together.
Still, Murphy's proceedings do reveal a pceitive
defect in the law as it-stands, or at all events as it
is administered. So long as Murphy confines his
operations to towns with a large Roman Catholic
population of a low class he can be dealt with
easily enough. lie goes about defaming in the
grossest manner two classes of innocent people :
Roman Catholic clergymen and Roman Catholic
nuns. When he does this in the hearing of an
excitable Irish mob a riot follows, and Murphy can
be locked up for using words tending to provoke a
breach of the peace. But it is quite possible that
he might make the very same speech in a locality
where it would give extreme pain and annoyance
to unoffending people without there being any
danger of a riot. Suppose, for example, he were
to set up his tub outside the door of a Roman Ca-
tholic convent situated in a Protestant neighbour-
hood, and there to give an imaginary, picture of
the life led by the inmates. In Murphy's hands
such a picture would be a simple collection of all
the filth which can be engendered in a peculiarly
filthy mind. The nuns might be going in and out
all day on errands of charity, and be exposed at
any time to the pollution of Murphy's obscenities
both from his own mouth and from the mouths of
such of his hearers as choose to promote the Pro-
testant cause by the same engaging methods. This
is by no means an imaginary picture. Some time
back the Roman Catholic women of Birmingham
were subjected to a systematic street persecution
in the shape of quotations from the " Confessional
Unmasked " made in the hearing by Protestant
passers-by. If these things were said of indivi-
duals they would bring the speaker under the law
of libel. Even Murphy dare not attribute to this
or that priest., or this or that nun, what ho attri-
butes without let or hindrance to such perfectly
defined classes as priests or nuns. So far, there-
fore, as their individval characters are concerned,
Roman Catholics can protect themselves; and it
certainly does seem that when the reputation of
whole classes of unoffending subjects is attacked
in this way, it should be the part of the Govern-
ment to protect them. Mr. Murphy is reported to
have declared that Wore he had finished his lectures
he would prove to the people of Birmingham that
" every Popish priest is a murderer, a cannibal, a
liar, and a pickpocket." Surely a man who makes
it his business to inflame the minds of others by
such wild and scandalous accusations against
every Popish priest should be punished, as he
would be punished had he dared to sly as much of
any particular Popish priest.

Mr. E. T. Smith has issued an announcement
that during the cab strike full dress will not be required
either in the stalls or dress circle of the Lyceum Theatre.

7Th
elUil

HER MAJESTY.

PENSION WALLIS, LUCERNE, Sopt. 7.

The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louise,
Princess Beatrice, and Prince Leopold, and attended
by the 'Marchioness of Ely, Colonel ronsonl y, &C.,
drove out in the neighbourhood.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE•

The customary brigading of the troops in garri-
son at Portsmouth on Southsea-common was on
Alonday made the occasion by Lieut.-General and
Governor Sir George Buller, K.C.8., for the pre-
sentation, at the close of the morning's movements,
of distinguished service medals to a corporal and
private of the 33d (Duke of 'Wellington's) infantry,
and to a trooper of the Dragoon Guards, forming
one of the Lieut.-General's personal escort. The
troops brigaded on Southsea-common at 10.30 a.m.,
and consisted of the C and H Field Batteries of the
11th Brigade of Royal Artillery, the 33d, 35th, and
67th regiments of infantry. After marching past
Lieut.-Gen. Buller, the infantry formed line on the
33d, the 35th sending out a strong body of s!dr.
mishers, with supports from the 33d, and the bat-
teries of artillery unlimbering and opening fire from
positions on either flank of the line of infantry.
The skirmishers were soon driven in, and after some
artillery and Snider fire from right to left, the in-
fantry retired in open column from rear of the
centre to a second position, covered by the artillery.
Here a second stand was made, the infantry deploy-
ing into line, and the artillery taking up a position
on the left flank with one battery and holding an-
other in reserve. The second position proved as
untenable as the first, and the force was retired by
divisions in echellon, covered by the fire of the artil-
lery. Again the infantry reformed in line in rear
of their previous position, an I this time the defence
was successful, the force, after a brisk fire from
Snider and Armstrong, advancing by echellon move-
ment, the 33d and 35th in open column, with the
67th in the centre in line, and artillery on the rear
of each flank. An alarm of cavalry, the 33d and
35th forming squares, with the 67th retaining its
line formation, and deafening rolls of fire from field
artillery and rifle brought the morning's evolutions
to a finish ; when the troops having formed three
sides of a square, with the Lieut.-General and his
Staff in the centre, the warrants directing the pre-
sentation of the medals, forwarded from the Horse
Guards to Sir George Buller, were read by Col. G.
H. S. Willis, Corporal Charles Giffard and Private
Daniel Collins, of the 33d Infantry, were then called
to the front, and presented by Sir George Bailer
with the distinguished service medal for service in
the field before Magdala, the gallant General ac-
companying the presentation in each instance with
a few well-chosen sentences on the duties the reci-
pients had performed, and on the honours still open
to them as soldiers. Trooper Scott, of the sth
Dragoon Guards, was also presented with the silver
medal and £5 gratuity awarded by the horse
Guards regulations fGr long service and good con-
duct.

We are informed on reliable authority that the
announcement made by some of our contemporaries
that the 33d regiment will be presented with new.
colours on Southsea-common on the 15th inst.
without foundation. No date has yet been name's
for giving the regiment new colours, nor have the
colours yet been provided for the purpose.
On Monday Capt. T. G. Gilling, Ist battalion of
the 22d regiment, with three subalterns and 119
non-commissioned officers and men of various corps
attached to the 3d Depot Battalion, left St. Marls
Barracks, Chatham, for the Isle of Grain, to do duty
at that station. The detachment previously doing
duty at the Isle of Grain arrived at head-quartersi
Chatham, on Monday, under the command of
Capt. W. Glascott, 30th Regiment, and joined the
2d battalion.
Detachments of 75 non-commissioned officers and
men, and three officers of the Ist battalion Bth
Regiment, 85 men of all ranks ; and three officers
of the Ist battalion 14th Regiment, one officer and
35 non-commissioned officers and men of the 13t
battalion Ist King's ROyals, and 15 men and 000
officer of the 2d battalion 10th Regiment, are or-
dered to be held in readiness to proceed from their
respective depots at Chatham to India to augment
the service companies of the various corps. VI
will be conveyed by the overland route. An order
has also been received at Chatham directing 70 men
of all ranks with three officers of the Ist battalion
10th Regiment to be held in readiness to embark
for Japan to join the service companies of that refit.
znent.
The sailing Indiaman Corona, Commander Ilr"
S. Crondace, 1,200 tons, arrived at Spithead early
on Monday morning, with the following fficect
and troops on board from Bombay, under
wcont...raha
with the Council for India :—Major Prederiek, j. °
Sandys Lindesay, 3d Dragoon Guards, in wilita#
command ; Staff-Surgeon Valentine
masyeal.
M.D., V.C., in medical charge; Capt. 111.••
linghall, 35th Regt.; Capt. Win. Blenkinsop,
Chas. A. Davies and Mrs. Davies, Lieut. IL
.01: ,ii`r.
Arthur, Cornets D. A. Grant, Arthur Coats,
030-
R. M'Kay and Mrs. M'Kay, and J. F. t,„,
M'Farlane, 3d Dragoon Guards; Mr. W.. C.
nie, a civilian. 173 men, 28 women, and 44 ehl;
dren of the 3d Dragoon Guards ; 30 Eaen%lto.
women, and 22 children from various regialv
The troops were disembarked from the Corona).:l
t ob'
terday, the 3d Dragoons being forwarded ono
headquarters at Winchester, the various detsatta
ments to the depots of their several regiments'
the invalids to Netley Hospital.
An Admiralty order received at Chatham d°,clc;
• deeded
o
yard announces that the Admiralty have dee'"A
adopting throughout the service Captain R. 'soci
Scott's new description of gun carriage
of
gear, which is to be fitted for all guns3loo
nine tons weight and upwards, the order
34
directing that the 6f-ton guns are to be fittellii Wtibig
the rope winch gear. in conformity wit for
order, Captain Scott's gear will be used entirellioi,
working heavy ordnance, while for other gulls
.e that
lar winches are to be used, with-the differenc; of its
rope is to be substituted for chain, on acconn
cheapness, while, at the same time, it is suiteileelissir,-
reliable for the lighter guns. A consideraf
these
ing will ultimately be effected by melt"
°the gt 1135
appliances, inasmuch as they will enable
th3ll
to be worked with greater ease and fao
was possible with double the number of Me"
ing upon the ordinary tackle. 6 guns,
Her Majesty's ship Eclipse, screw sloop', ior..
1,273 tons, 350 horse power, CaptainlaleftnerrYb'loi
vey, having had her defects made good last,
on shore off Heligoland on the 22d of Jin.v. The
sailed from Sheerness yesterday for Bern'
en a: route.
ship will most probably call at Devonfort
The screw (unarmoured, wooden)
11
frigate Pierielt
31, 3,027 tons, 600 horse power, Capt'
W. Wilson, seagoing training frigate ;11:::3g110
cadets, sailed from Spithead yesterday morn
a cruise, which may probably extend
0
rd
Malta.
boa .
Henry Belcher, ordinary seamanm 1
receiving ship Canopus, 8, Captain arrt oior-
Hamoaze, was on Monday sentenced by risoeecl
tial to receive three dozen lashes and be iallLato ,
three months for striking George Alorb,_ p_ rhA: 0;0••
Royal Marines, when acting as sentry et silted
d and
ofeckdaopntaitilame 25thLarn boertufouisiet.s,
Sharpe. ride 3
have been
The following appointments , ,•
the Admiralty :—Francis B. Baver3tOcK
ter, tot` o
ter, to the Nassau ; Robert Bone, pad to
the
Bristol; Dr. Mitchell, assistant su
Thep e
li
ecwo Bailer,
Excellent; Lieutenant George B
midbiPinan'
Pallas ; and Wati'.s Corlett,
Hector ; Francis E. Wolrige,
aQal
Penelope.
C• Banbury, Pe J‘.4.
cadets :—F. J. Hill, Henry C. -rap '1
The undermentioned have been
rain H. Carew, C. C. Warburton, and
de B. Fisher.
mid.sGbio.ponlidae:
t:000
toboo