The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 215, 8 April 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1868.

Yesterday morning, a case arising out of the late cowardly assault at Addison's Flat, came on for hearing, and as neither the prosecutor nor the parties summoned appeared, the case was struck out. Why the prosecutor failed to appear as he was in town, is not known to but we hope that the matter wil not end here. Already, the miscreants who attacked the loyal processionists, have too much reason to believe that they are in the ascendant, and as success gives courage, no doubt we shall hear of other and more treasonable meetings than have hitherto been held by the Fenian party at Addison's Flat. We have already pointed out the folly of temporisiug with disaffected Fenians at a time like this, and if our local magistracy, with the force at their command, cannot override these seditionists, and put into effect the machinery of the law, it is time that those whose business is already suffering from the want of law and order at Addison's should take such measures, as will lead to a reinforcement of the police force, so that whatever be the number of men who disobey the authorities, the arm of the law can prove of sufficient power to enforce its edicts. Every day we hear from Addison's of meetings being held, of acts of lawlessness and plunder being carried on, of persons forced to abandon their claims, and their places of business, and seek refuge in Westport; and the authors of these outrages are men who belong to a faction, one of whose body has so lately attempted the Prince's life, to the same gang of cowardly assassins who tried to blow up Clerkenwell gaol, and who murdered Sergeant Brett. In fine, we may statu that much as we dislike writing in such a strain, the town of Addison's is in possession of a howling mob, who will only obey such of the law's orders as they think fit, and who will not allow any one to live amongst them, but such persons as are free of their traitor guild. This must end, and the better for all parties will it be, if the struggle is short lived. Already, as will be seen by a clipping from the Melbourne Australasian, are we being chided for allowing even the mock-funeral processions which took place here and Hokitika, and we shall be a disgrace to the whole civilized world, and to our name as Britons, unless we shew these lawbreakers, that they are not going to have it all their own way. The next few days will show what our rulers mean to do, and unless we can gain that protection, which all loyal men living under the British flag, expect as their birthright, we must appeal to the Governor for protection, and as Heaven helps those that help themselves, the sooner we set about righting the wrong the better for all parties.