The Express.
London, England, 1867-11-07 00:00:00

[STAMPED. ht. ADDITIONAL.)

LORD DERUI' AND THE. oRA.NOEML'A".

The following is the reply of the Earl of Derby
to the memorial presented to his lordship by the Imperial
Grand Council of Loyal Orangemen of the Empire, which
met in London ou the 17th of July last. The reply is
addressed to Lord Enniskillen, G.M. :
Knowsley, Oct. 11, 18157.
My Lord,--There was transmitted to me some time ago,
by your lordship's desire. a copy of a memorial, which I
had unfortunate') mislaid in London, f row a body styling
itself " The Imperial Grand Council of the Loyal Orange
Order." The long and severe illness from which I have
since been suffering, and from which I am only now
slowly recovering, will, I hope, be accepted as an apology
for my not havinc sent an earlier answer. The memorialists
apply for a repeal of the Party Processions Act ; and Mauls.
port of this application they appeal to the " ready loyalty
which has always distinguished" the Orangemen as abody;
and to the experience of Canada, where it has been found
possible to repeal a similar enactment ; and, finally,
they complain that, practically, a one-sided operat;on
has been given to the act, whereby its provisions have
been brought to bear upon the Orange processions alone.
I do not for a moment dispute the loyalty of the Orange
Association ; and I am convinced that, in case of emer-
gency, they would rally as the man around the throne and
the institutions of the country ' • but the most fervent
loyalty to the crown, end the most devoted attachment to
their religion, ere not inconsistent with an abstinence
from all demonstrations as may, justly or unjustly, wound
the susseptibilittes of those who differ: from them in poli-
tics or religious creed. I may go further, and say that
genuine loyalty includes a conscientious obedience to the
laws of the country, whatever they may be. I readily
admit that the Party Processions Act is one of
an exceptional character • but, unhappily, religious
and political animosity in Ireland is so virulent
and so excitable, each party biro ready to seek for occa-
sions of giving and taking offence, that an exceptional
amount el supervision is requital on the part of the
government for the prevention of demonstrations which
threaten the disturbance of the public peace and too
often lead to bloodshed. Nor do I see what justification
can be found for the repeal of the act, so loag as the in-
fluence, however sincerely exercised, of the leaders of
parties is insnflicient to prevent their followers from
engaging, in defience of the law, in those very acts which
it is its object to prevent, and to which its repeal would
give fresh ercouragemeut. On the other hand, as long as
the law remains ou the statute book, its the earnest wish
and determination of her Majesty's government that it
shall be equally and fairly applied ; and I think that the
course hitherto pursued by the Irish executive may give
satisfactory maul once that, under the present lord lieu-
tenant, it will be firmly, temperately, and, above all,
impartially administered..—l have the honour to be your
lordship's obedient servant, DERBY.
To the Earl of Enniskillen.