The English Socialists.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1677, 6 April 1886, Page 4

The English Socialists.

(Per Mail Steamer.)

Hyndman, the so-called Socialist I leader, has been described as an advocate I of Socialism, anarchy, communism, and I dynamite, but according to a London ' cable message of Feb. 15 he is none of these. Neither is he an ambitious agitator. /He is really an educated gentleman and' ardent disciple of Mars, a good organiser, and a man of great executive ability and force of character. The Laborers' Union has also been incorrectly referred to as a socialist organisation. Mf Justin Macarthy says of Hyndman: — "I have known him for many years," and greatly respect his sin-' cerity. He is a f anatife of fanatics, but not "a self-seeker: ; VHe ; is a deluded, - visionary dreamer, but not an impostor ; a man of University education, a gentle-, man of position who once owned a large fortune, and is well known m society. I saw him often m the same drawinsroom with Lord Beaconsfield, Sir S, Northeote, Lord Hartington, and Sir W. Harcourt: ] He is a sort of Lord George Gordon m \ Socialism. 1 ' Mr Gladstone on the 3rd March refused an interview with Hyndman and his colleagues. The Socialist leaders applied to the Courts to have the editor and publisher of Punch committed for contempt for attempting to excite public opinion agaiust them while they were still on trial. They also asked for a similar , commitment against the London Post for publishing a 1 letter urging that the leading Socialists be flogged- In the ,caso of the periodical first uamed, it published a cartoon representing " Mr Punch " hanging Messrs Burns, Hyndn'lnn. Champion and Williams. The application was refused. The examination of the Socialist leaders Hyurimau, Burns, Champion, and Williams, commented at Bow-atreet Police. Court on the morning of Frbrunry 17th. The Court was well filled with spoctators, but not closely packed. The Solicitor of the Treasury prosecuted . for Governmeut. He said the men i had been prosecuted for' misdemeanor. j This, he continued, consisted m utterances by th o different defendants of expressions and sentiments with an intent to provoke a breach of the peace. Bums, at Trafalgar-Square meeting, laid to the assemblage, •' Unless we get bread they will get lead and the next time we will sack the bakers' shops." At Hyde Park he said, "We have shown , them what stones can do ; we will try powder and shot if they do not soon decide, and theni will be a revolution." . Hyndman said, "Let us show a firm front. If peaceable means fail, I will be the first to summon you." Champion urged his hearers to influence the police and sol fliers to join tye people. Williams urged the people to organise, saying he was onwillinj* to have starving men confryh^spldiersrunless they wevo organised. ! '"._.". ; . The evidence of Sir E. . Henderson \ (ex - superintendont of police, about whose dismissal there is a good deal of indignation) went to show that the riots were causod by an outbreak of a party ot dangerous roughs inflamed by the speeches of the defeudants and .em ' boldened by the absence of the police. AH the defendants were committed for trial on a charge of inciting the Queen's subjects to riot. They weie permitted to furnish bail for thoir appearance. Eight of the leaders were senteaeed on March 5. All were condemned to penal servitude for terms ranging from one to five years. The J[udsre justified the sentences by denouncing bo called popu- . lar demonstrations of working men. ■•■■•'.lt is well-known," Baid his Lordship, "that these demonstrations naturally, tend to tumult and disorder, , .