The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-12

The Montreal Troubles.
The opinion of four lawyers, however en-
inent they may be, and no matter even that
three of them are Protestants. to the effect
that the proposed Orange parade is lille
gal. is calculated only to increase and
not to diminish the probability Of
trouble in Montreal to-day. Their opinion
was asked by certain Catholic socie-
ties; it has no judicial force or authority,
and if it is correct one can only wonder
that the constituted authorities Of Montreal
and of the Province are so ignorant Of their
own laws or 80 careless that they did
not before this discover the illegality
and warn the Orangemen. 1t is more than
likely that the chief effect of the opinion
will be to encourage riotous demonstrations
by people who will imagine that they are
out the brains OF any Orangeman whom
they may catch.
The Ribbonmen have not acted we'll in
Montreal. They have not even waited tor
the slender pretext of o legal opinion to
commit riotous acts and to indulge In
irritating threats and in actual violence.
The respectable press and order-loving
citizens admonished the Orangemen not
to do what was certain to cause need
less and disagreeable excitement and dis
order. and showed the absurdity OF their
insisting on celebrating in Canada an event
which happened nearly two hundred years
ago in another country, and to do this in
manner prohibited by law in Great Britain.
Their opponents appear to have misunder-
stood this moderate counsel, as though it
authorized them to oppose the assembling
Of the Orangemen with buster and vio-
lence. They have held riotous meetings,
uttered savage threats, beaten some men
and broken some windows. and all this
without the least excuse and out OF mere
wanton and lawless spirit
They are making very grave mistake.
They ought to understand that, even if the
Orangemen have no legal right to parade, it
is not for the Ribbonmen to prevent them.
That duty belongs to the constituted authori-
ties. The Ribbonmen have absolutely no
business with it. Their duty is to
remain quiet, to observe the peace, to con-
form themselves to the admonitions of their
clergy, who advise them not to go near the
procession, not to disturb any Orangemen,
but to conduct themselves rs orderly citi-
zens. Instead Of this they bluster, threaten
and break the laws in manner which has
caused revulsion of public opinion in
favor Of the Orangemen. We took occasion,
some days ago, to express our opinion upon
the folly and inexpediency of the pro-
posed parade; but that is another
matter entirely We still think the
Orangemen would show themselves better
citizens and truer Christians if they should
forego their procession; but that is matter
for them and not for the Ribbonmen to
think Of or interfere in.
The decentralization Of the public authori-
ties in Montreal greatly increases the danger
of the situation. The Mayor appears to
be most remarkable Dogberry. He
asserts absolute authority, but refuses to
tell the citizens whether he will prohibit or
allow the procession. He refused even to
tell the HERALp correspondent yesterday
what was his determination in the matter.
Meantime ne mas sworn IN nVe num-
dred special constables, composed,
all accounts agree, almost altogether
Of "roughs." The military are present
in force, but apparently IRE to act only
to put down and not to prevent riot.
In short, the. authorities appear to have
carefully prepared the way tor riot of
uncommon dimensions, and If the day
should pass peaceably they. at least, will
deserve no credit Our latest accounts assert
that the Orangemen have determined to
parade. If they do we trust Lieutenant
General Smythe will guard them with his
three thousand troops and promptly shoot
down every man who makes the least offer
too serious for triAing.