We regret greatly to perceive that the meeting is to
be repeated on Sunday, the 10th, and think the leaders of the workmen belonging to the Peace Party entirely ill-advised. if it is necessary to show that the body of the people are opposed to war with Russia —which they cannot be, till they know what they are to be asked to fight for—let there be a grand meeting on a week-day, with every precaution for ascertaining what the feeling of the majority really is, to count them, instead of making in- audible speeches. Meetings on Sunday can do no good,—they are never numerous enough to overwhelm opposition, and they give full opportunity not only to "roughs," but to the semi- lunatics—we mean the word in its strict sense—who exist in every city, to disport themselves in a fashion which drives crowds half-crazy. Nothing but mischief is of course done. It is argued that such meetings are necessary to preserve the right of meet- ing, but that right is not maintained by giving opportunities for riot. Public freedom is not threatened—though public order may be—at elections, because wherever there is a yellow mob there is a blue one, and they usually fight. A vigorous but legal prose- cution of all who disturb order at meetings, on any side, would do more to make them free than any number of Sunday demonstrations.
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