The worst sign of the outbreak of race-hatred which we
have always feared, is the Birmingham procession of triumph over the approaching executions. An open-air meeting to petition for the commutation of sentence was summoned on Wednesday evening, which turned out a meeting to rejoice over the executions. The crowd did some mischief that night ; but more the next
(Thursday), brutally marching through the Irish quarters, "cheering defiantly," and attacking the Roman Catholic Cathe- dral during evening service. The Irish of course defended their church, and attacked the mob, and a riot ensued. A police force succeeded in dispersing them, for the time ; but it is said that this anti-Irish mob is well organized, and marched "in mili- tary order, under the guidance of recognized leaders." This triumph over the Irish for the condemnation of their countrymen is worse, in feeling at least, than even the rescue of Kelly and Deasey ; and if it should lead to equally fatal results, we shall have more executions that will not be matter of triumph for English Protestants.
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