NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Tim close approach of tumult to our own capital, although it as- sumes no very alarming aspect, makes domestic affairs once more take the first place in public regard. So much as there is of a revolutionary element in English society is now concentrated in London, arul is preparing to display its strength next week. It is safficient to warrant precautions ; and Ministers have responded —not too early—to a general desire, becoming anxious though uot clamorous—with some show of vigour.
Certain persons, speaking in the name of " the Chartists," an-
nounce e. d e great meeting to be held at Kennington Cotnnion on Monday next. For the''befiefit of readers unacquainted with, otir localities, we may explain that the quondam " common " ie 'no- thing but a large rsee,a4e.eareounded belouses, abotiexiee
from tha Thames, and trti; mire or buildingt eonasnOnly included in the wide word "'London." Hundreds of thousandi, it is given out, will meet on the common, march with the petition for the People's Charter" to the House of Commons, deliver it, and disperse. - Something tas been said, too, about calling next day for an answer;_ and that if the Charter be refused, a Na- tional Assembly" will be held on the 1st of May—with no obscure hint that such convention is to supersede the Parliament, and to overhaul the whole constitution of the country. The-Chartist Member, Mr. Feargus O'Connor, pledges his honour that the meeting shall be strictly peaceable : but how can he, or the Chartist "Executive," answer for that ? Even if no more than fifty thousand be present, a tithe of that number will oonsist of the standing force of London thieves and vaga- bonds ; who are certain to be present, whether invited by the " Executive" or not: it will be their interest to promote riot. Even if the thieves and vagabonds behave for the day like good Chartists, and keep discipline, the mere passage of a large body of men, hostile to the existing order of things, must obstruct the i
streets, alarm the timid, and n every way place the "liberty of the subject" under an interdict for the time being. And if the speeches delivered &wing the week at the preparatory meetings of the Chartists are to be taken as any symptom of the spirit in which those Chartists assemble, certainly it is one neither peace- able nor conciliatory, but hostile and menacing.
This movement has called forth preparations to meet it. Special constables are sworn in every quarter ; even the clerks in the public offices, clerks in trading houses, workmen in large esta- blishments, are armed; the Police force is strengthened ; Pen- sioners are brought up from Greenwich and placed in some public buildings; and military of all arms are stationed in the Metropnlis. London was never more strongly guarded against outbreak, casual or intentional. Meanwhile, the Police Commissioners have issued a notice, de- claring both the assemblage and the procession illegal, and warn- ing all persons against taking part in either. And last night Sir George Grey introduced into Parliament a bill for the better pro- tection of the Crown and Government of the United Kingdom. There is the manifestation of will, therefore, as well as of physical resources, to meet every danger. The persons assuming the name of Chartists announce their intention to persevere : they will hold the meeting, and attempt the procession. If they do, their blood be upon their own heads.
