The Sun. — 1867-11-14 (London, England)

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 wellinformed 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 pronounced 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 extreme difficulty of identifying so many as between twenty and thirty, and if some of those who deserved 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 circumstances 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 regardless of who might be the sufferers of the mad exploit, and what lives were sacrificed in the prosecution of their work. Surely it needs very little penetration to say, and very little judgment to determine, 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