New-York tribune., 1890-05-05
HALF A MILLION WOhh MHN'
AZ ORDERLY AND PEACEFUL MEETING IN
HYDE rARK. LONDON
r ,vporrrs MEET QUIETLY LISTEN Ic
SPEECHES AND DIsPERsE IN An
ORDERLY WAY

,ao, Nor a-Today's labor demonstration
,,',o port ,cos magnificent success ana
-.a.od :, npmbers and orderly enthusiasm all
a,oss Gatherings since the great REFORM
,I.o of 1896 The splendid organization
y, ,ho d;oerent sections taking part In the pro-
oass;o,s hrou.~. together in the Park half mill
-, ., reonIe who met went through their ousi-
.ss and d,spersed without single incident
aso,derlv character. The leading sections
80 ,bs trade councils which included eight
aro,,ns renresenting the leather trades metal and
cabinet wor kers and the shipping. clothing print
inc naner and building trades. These bodies.
IN which were numerous related trades. mustered
in snecifed districts OF the metropolis early in the
forenoon. and marched headed by their leaders,
and with bands and banners toward the Thames
Fmbanknent. the central point whence the mar
shalled array was ordered to start for the Park.
At o'clock the Embankment gave no promise
Of any demonstration beyond rapidly increasing
masses of sightseers, but soon after that hour the
first column of the procession was seen advancing
with brave show Of banners toward the Ma
tional Liberal Club, and before long the Embank-
ment as far as the eye could reach was dense
mass of moving columns all keeping admirable
order. The leaders. on horseback. guided the dlf-
ferent sections toward their proper places, and
mounted policemen. by an arrangement with the
trades councils, assisted in the formation of the
ranks.
The gigantic procession timed TO start at
o'clock and punctually at that hour 1t moved
of amid thunderous cheering and the music of
many bands. The route toward the Park was
along Brdge-st, ST. Jamess Park and Birdcage
Walk. which were lined with spectators. Masses
of artisans joined the parade on the way, until
thn Dorls a~ft
men in line was 100000.
simultaneously with the appearance In the
Park of the trades columns. sections of the So
eial Democratic Federation began TO enter. Some
Of them had joined the main body on the Thames
Embanlmcnt, while Others marshalled in dis
tant suburbs. marched from different points con
yerging toward the two platforms IN the
Park especially allotted to Socialist speakers
The Railway Workers Union had also special
professions. some of the groups of which sweiled
the Embankment columns while others marched
toward the platform centres
The total number taking part in the various
professions is estimated at 10000. and these
were almost lost in the vastnesS of the assemblage
gathered around the thirteen platforms upon
which the labor day advocates held forth.
Among the far-strtching. dense crowd no
police were visible. Orders from headquarters
TO refrain from interfering or cooperating with
the organizers Of the demonstration had caused
the police TO keep judiclousy in the Background.
The tact and prudence OF the ORGANIZERS OF The
demonstration were further seen in the breyity
of the proceedings. After the paaders had
formed around the platforms the speaking began.
Shortly after o'clock resolutions demanding
that eight hours be recognized as days work
were put and carried amid the accanations Of
the multitude, and by O'clock when the para
ders had reformed in line, the assemblage began
10 disperse.
Half a million is moderate computation of the
gathering. the character of which bore every
where the unmistakable stamp Of the solid.
spectacle artisan classes. the tagrag and bobtail
being conspicuously absent. notable feature
was that the bands Of the trades councils es-
chcwed revolutionary music. playing only popu-
lar and national airs.
The speakers included Mr.. Davitt. Cunning
hame Graham, John Burns. Thomas Mann. Ben
jamin Tillett. Mrs. Aveling and Annie Besant.
BY o'clock the park was deserted and the
thoroughfares were full of orderly crowds stream
ing hOmeward.
At the stands of the Social Democrats. at which
all the speakers were Socialists there audi-
cnce Of 1000 of whom three-duarers wore red
sashes. The speeches We're moderate in tone. The
speakers claimed that the Socialists initiated the
eight-hour movement. and urged their hearers 10
regard il as the first step toward securing com
I,cte freedom for worlSmen. Hvndman. who
Of the speakers. apoogized for tho failure Of their
brethren on the Continent 10 rather in greater
force on MAY Day. The Socialist orators de-
nounced Mr. Bradlaugh and Mr.. Morley.
The Irish railway strike is ended