The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-03-04 00:00:00

ORANCEISM IN IRELAND.

Mr. PLUNKETT said, that there being at that mo-
urn. no particular niotion before the house, he would
take that opportunity of addressing. a few observations
Loan hon. and learned friend opposite (Mr. Abercromby)
respecting a motion of his which stood for to-morrow.
The proceeding, be was aware, was irregular, but he did
not flagpole of entitling himself to some Indulgence from
the house upon an exploration of his motives. The moz
Pion to which he alluded nas one of which notice was
eivonliy his hon. friend some time ago, relating to the
eliwenee and constitution of certain secret societies, or
what sere called Orange Societies in Ireland. He ad-
mitted that this was a subject of vital importance to that
part of the empire, and the discussion of which should
net be delayed a moment ; therefore it was necessary to
lay before his hon. friend and the house a strong case,
to prevail upon them to postpone it. If his application
had any reference to personal accornmodaion, he would
net have had the boldness to advance it, much as he
thought lie could calculate upon the willingness of his
hon. friend to oblige him. But when lee snide the appeal
from a reference to other parties, and added further
that a perseverance in the mince would work for a mani-
fest injustice, he trusted it would not be made in vain to
his hon. friend. He had no wish at this stage to go
into the discussion of the question, or to anticipate, in
ativ degree, the discussion which, when the motion came
to he made, would take place upon its merit. It would,
however, be apparent to all, that when that discussion
took place, not only the present state of society is Ire-
land, but the conduct and views of the Irish Government
would necessarily be a goad deal mixed up with it. Whit
the precise object of the motion was—whether it was for
inquiry, or to pledge the house' to any particular line of
candeet, be did not know. If the question at all turned
upon the constitution of these societies, he (Mr. P)
would not shrink from informing the house officially
Pat these societies were of such a nature as was all-
"ctilated to injure the public welfare, and disturb the
public pelce.—(Hear.) He would be disposed, per
- )cape, to say more upon them, but his opinions in that
respect were already too well known. Indeed, he be-
lieved there was no difference of opinion upon them in
or out of the house. The get.eral question of the consti.
tution of these Societies was to be brought before the
house in a motion, of which notice hail been given for
the 15th of April, respecting some legal proceedings
lately adopted by the Irish Government. That question,
if he understood it rightly, would render this unnecessa-
ry, since it would involve two considerations ; first, upon
the legality or constitu.ionality, if they would,- of the
means resorted to by the Irish Government. Secondly,
upon the mode in which these measures, supposing them
t be legal; were carried into effect by the lash Execu-
tive. Upon the second question, it appeared to him that
a-proper decision could not be come to, unless the ex-of-
ficio information filed by the Attorney General was be-
fore the House. Again, it was known that the proceed-
ings in Dublin originated from the dressing of the statue
of King William, and the outrage upon the Lord Lieu-
tenant at the Theatre, for his prohibition of this ceremo-
ny. It mtle be difficult to justify that prohibition, or to
yindicatethe use which lie (111 r. made of the King's
prerogative in filing an ex•officio information, without
entering in detail into the whole question of these Orange
Societies. Under such circumstances, then, he woul I
pit it to his hon. Friend whether it was fair, or reasona-
• tile, to bring on a debate which necessarily involve all
these considerations, without affording the Irish Govern-
Ment an opportunity of replying to than. It was, in-
deed, unprecedented, to reduce the Irish Government to
tiae necessity of twice defending themselves. It was un-
just to put them upon their defence before they were
brought to trial, for the trial did not take place before
the 15th of April. This was a hardship and injustice
which could not be charged even upon the ex-olficao filed
against the persons accused of riot io Dublin. It was
possible, that a case being made out against the Orange
Societies, an answer would be given, that they were driv-
en to Riegel acts by Government, who bad goaded
ttem by recent unmerjted persecutions. Government
rood' not rejoin to this without going into their whole
di-fence; and the consequence would be, that he (Mr.
Plunkett) must either silently under accusations which
I:e could answer, or, by a premature statement, antici-
pates defence which he would be called upon again to
make on the 15th of April It was, then, not from con-
siderations of personal convenience that tie eppealed to
has hon. Friend to put off his motion, but because a per-
severance in it would work injustice to the Irish Govern-
ment.
Mr. ABERCROMBY disclaimed all intention of fol-
lowing the Right lion. Gent. into a discussion of the
uneion which was to come b fore the house to-morrow.
lie depreca'ed the tone of the appal made to him by his
Right Hon. Friend, and complained that in the time for
bringing on his (Mr. A.'s) motion, an interfereuce had
been made, and a want of that indulgence displayed,
which was shown on a former night towards another
hon. friend (Mr. Rain tilow), who was about to bring a
similar motion under the consideration of the house.—
(Haar ) To the suggestions of the Right Hon. Gent. he
(Mr. A.) was obliged to say he coned not accede. At the
saute time he hoped this re.nlution uould not he ascrib-
ed 'Warty indisposition on his part to oblige the '(iglu
; for feeling, as lie (ale. A.) did, the urf,ent
necessity of bringing the question on without delay, he
lareente'd that a compl;onm with that necessity should
prove Incomionient to his Hight lion. Friend. As the
objec's of his (Mr. A.'s) motion did not seem to be gene-
rally understood, it might not be amiss now to state,
WM)t was no part of has Men ion to introduce at all
any. Wet-ince whatever to what the Right Hon. Gent.
caliat-the recent proceedings in Dublin. In this respect
the 'Right Hon. Gent. would have another opportunity
ofijitiofting Lis alndnit to the house. Without, there-
fete, doing Any thing to prejudge the result of that other
ingitityarhich was yet to take place, he (Mr. A.) thought
that the bringing forward this question was quite consist-
it.:tielthan opinion he had often given in this house—