"
"The accounts to-day from the north are very encouraging
though," said the young man. "Stevens is producing a great
effect, and this plan of our people going in procession and
taking possession of the churches very much affects the
imagination of the multitude."
"Ah!" said Gerard, "if we could only have the Church on our
side, as in the good old days, we would soon put an end to the
demon tyranny of Capital."
"And now," said the pale young man, taking up a manuscript
paper, "to our immediate business. Here is the draft of the
projected proclamation of the Convention on the Birmingham
outbreak. It enjoins peace and order, and counsels the people
to arm themselves in order to secure both. You understand:
that they may resist if the troops and the police endeavour to
produce disturbance."
"Ay, ay," said Gerard. "Let it be stout. We will settle this
at once, and so get it out to-morrow. Then for action."
"But we must circulate this pamphlet of the Polish Count on
the manner of encountering cavalry with pikes," said Maclast.
"'Tis printed," said the stout thickset man; "we have set it
up on a broadside. We have sent ten thousand to the north and
five thousand to John Frost.
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