A hundred years ago From the 'Spectator', 23 November, /867—The
worst sign of the outbreak of race-hatred which we have always feared, is the Birmingham procession of triumph over the approaching executions [of three Fenians for the murder of a policeman]. 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 Cathedral dur- ing evening service. The Irish of course defended their church, and attacked the mob, and a riot en- sued. A police force succeeded in aispersing them, for the time; but it is said that this anti-Irish mob is well organized, and marched "in military order, under the guidance of recognized leaders."
Previous page
