The Express. — 1867-12-18 (London, England)

THE FMIAN OUTRAGES.  The Times remarks that the enrolment of special 1 constables will give • moral rapport to the government, and will materially aid in maintaining order and preserving property. The immediate cause is in the fact that there have been three attempts to set fire to London since Saturday last by a certain inflammable liquid, and to meet danger firmly the police must be enlisted. Meanwhile these atrocities will lessen the hold of the Fenian' on the restless and impulsive but generous people they delude. The Roman catholic clergy who as • whole have shown themselves well disposed to the cause of law and order, may now inform the Irish waverer', with truth, that the whole body of Englishmen and Scotchmen, high and low, are firmly determined that there shall be no break-up of this empire, and that any attempts made in pursuance of such a design will meet with condign punishment. The Times is glad to perceive that the bishops do not stipulate in their loyalty, showing in this far better taste than the Roman catholic laymen who have chosen this moment to put forward a declaration against the Irish church—a manifesto which, at such a time, will be held by the disaffected to be something like a proclamation of sympathy with their cause. The miscreants who thought to diffuse panic threughout society must now see, says the Daily News, that they have signally failed, for our people have never for • moment lost their presence of mind. The act of policeman Ranger, who knocked down Allen and secured him in the very blast of the explosion, fairly represents the temper of the country, stem and indignant, master of itself, and prepared to meet any foe. The Daily News regrets that the provision for the sufferers by the Clerkenwell explosion should not have been made by the state. It is satisfactory, however, to know that in every case the sufferers will be well cared for. M►ny of them have sustained by bereavement looses which are irreparable, bet the country will with heart and soul do all that is possible for their comfort and welfare.  The Irish executive, the Daily News expects, has been betrayed into en error of policy in taking proceedings against the chairman and some of the promoters of the Dublin procession of the Bth inst. Its action in prohibiting the meetings which were appointed to be held Lot Sunday in Kilkenny and elsewhere bas received the sanction of public opinion, and been crowned with success. But to go back upon the part and make persons answerable for what took place at meetings where certainly the public peace was not broken, Is a measure of more doubtful expediency. The conduct of the subordinate officers of the government, in summoning Mr. Sullivan, of the Nation, and Sir J. Gray, of the Freeman's Journaf, to give evidence for the prosecution, was still more questionable. The Irish government pays handsome salaries to its crown officers, who ought to have protected it from the ridicule and defiance to which it is now exposed. The Telegraph says this really is rot the first nor the second time that the police have been forewarned. Informers—always plentiful, stranga to say, among these desperate and fervid aasassins—will be discouraged about Scotland-yard if their hints are perpetually thrown away. It is no time for paying compliments to the foroe. We want proofs of its sagacity and forethought. By-and-bye, when the craze of murder is over, and we begin to talk of legislation, vigilance and activity will not fail to receive their reward.