THURSDAY, 26th MARCH, 1868.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2653, 26 March 1868, Page 3

THURSDAY, 26th MARCH, 1868.

The appeal to the people of Wellington which we inadejon Tuesday, has been responded to in the most hearty and spirited manner. The largest, the most influential, and the most enthusiastic meeting that ever took place in Wellington, was held yesterday m the Odd Fellows' Hall to express indignation and horror at the attempted assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh, and to sympathise with him in the sufferings, which he now endures. Although the meeting was called for the middle of the day and at a few hours notice, yet upwards of a thousand persons crowded the Hall in a few minutes after the doors were opened. Ministers of the Colony ; members of the Provincial Executive ; dignitaries of the Church ; Judges ; Lawyers j Merchants ; and Officials of high standing crowded the platform. Men, indeed, of all parties, and of all religious sects were present ; all united in opinion and ready to act in concert. Mr Eichmond's speech was able and temperate. He expressed utter detestation at the outrage ; declared the intention of the Government to uphold the law, and asked the support of the people to strengthen the hands of the Executive in vigorous measures for the suppression of overt acts of crime. Mr FitzGerald's eloquent denunciations of thevile deed, thrilled the heart of every man present, while his arguments that men capable of such acts, so far from being patriots struggling for the rights and liberties of their country, were so degraded as to be unfit to possess freedom, struck a fatal blow at the Fenian cause and its supporters. All the other speakers ably supported the arguments of their leaders, and not a voice was raised in dissent to the denunciations uttered against the movers in the most abominable conspiracy that has disgraced modern history. Not the least important and significant of the speeches, was that of the Eev. Father Petit Jean, who spoke out the feelings of the Soman Catholics in condemnation of the deed ; while his Honor the Judge in condemning an act which would be held infamous throughout the whole civilized world, yet beseeched the people not to let their righteous indignation overwhelm their sense of justice, and — should any act of crime be committed — to allow the perpetrators to be dealt with by the legal tribunals of the country. The address adopted by the meeting is 1 appropriate to the occasion, and warmly expresses the feelings ot those from whom it emanates. The hope expressed that his Eoyal Highness may yet visit our i shores, will, we trust, be realised. We feel sure that no dread or misgiving would prevent the sailor Prince from coming to ' Now Zealand ; but to a great extent the . decision will rest with Commodore Lam- ! Bert, who may decline the responsibility of allowing the Galatea to proceed fur-

< I ther. Whatever may betide, it is due to the colonists of New Zealand that they should, as the people of Wellington did 1 yesterday, express their horror at the 1 outrage which has been committed, and , their sympathy with its victim. The demonstration in Wellington has been the first in the colony, but others will follow throughout the land. Already we hear that a monster meeting is to take place to-morrow at Dunedin, and next mail will doubtless show that the expression of grief and indignation has been general throughout the other provinces. It is well that it should be so. A strong expression of opinion against Eenianism is needed in the colony. Processions in honor of strangled murderers may not in themselves be very harmful, but their tacit allowance may lead to other acts which are serious breaches of the law. All those demonstrations against constituted authority which approach closely to anarchy, should be nipped in the bud: and, backed by a strong public opinion, the Government will not have any excuse in future for hesitating to adopt vigorous measures for their suppression.