The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-06-29


there will be an affair more serious than that
of Lord Exmuuth"
-."s0s-.-
lretaRd.-It would seem by late intelli-
gencr from England, that the British Mi
nisirrs begin To see and acknowledge some
of the evils flowing from the system of
government pursued in Ireland for SO ma
ny centufies,-As a part of that system the
societies of Orangemen have long been the
bane of The country. These societies are
bound by secret oath, which under the
masque of loyalty, instlls hatred aud malice
towards thv great mass of the population,
arms Protestant against Catholic, and has,
in but too many instances, led to bnrnings
and midnight ACKNOWLEDGMENT still, 10
the murder of Catholics in open day, by
Orangemen who were never broug 1t 10
Justice, and who to the present period,
have invariably had the countcnance aud
support of the government. AT last how
ever, au attempt is made to put them down
by law, bat though this tardy act of Justice
is creditable To the kings ministers, we APP
prehend il will require other and stronger
measures than a mere act of parliament de
claring all secret olths and secret societies
illegal, to crush that execrable spirit of
persecution which the system of British
rule has SO long cherished IN the breasts of
the dominant party. indeed it appears
that the OranSemen have, already, to Z.
wade the law, remodeIled their institution,
and that setting the secret oath aside, they
proceed IN their career of hatred 10 their
Catholic countrymen with all their wonted
virulpnce and siGour. However, on the
presentation of IA petition by the Eail Of
\ -. Il, 1 Of 4
that FreemaSons should be exempt from
the provisions Of the bill against the exls.
tenee of secret societies in Ireland, the
Prime minister of England, the EARL OF
LIVERPOOL, spoke as follows:--
He did not object 10 u clause in favor
of flpemasons because he had any doubts
of the loyalty or good intentions Of these
societies, but because the principle of the
measure and the intention of the Govern
ment, was TO put down dH secret societies,
even those originating 10 attachment 10
loyalty and the Government lie entirely
concurred with the sentiments expressed
by the Noble Marquis (Lansdown,) and he
was glad 10 take this opportunity ofsaylng
50, that no opportunity, to means,ought I" be
eglected of putting down oil SECRET socl-
eiies in ireland. Government, he thot, cond
not go too tai III us eAelIlnHS w ATTAIN llla
object, and it WAC to be done without any
exception Whatever. 1t was the universe
lity of the law which made it yaluablc-it
applied To all secret societies, aud they
must al be pnt down, or the peace and
tranquility Of the country could mol be pre-
served. If any exception wrre made IN
favor Of any society, from that moment
the law would become inNldlons aud par
tial. The policy was to put down all Sc
cret societies, and professions OF every de
nomination."
Though satisfactory to hear such SENT
ment from the PREuIER, and though the
policy he insists upon is but Just, yet It VIII
be- thought somewhat STANCE, when II 10
rrcolIected, that during the political life OF
this very minister, many an freshman has
been prosecuted, many an lrlshman has
been Aogged, many an lIshman has been
obgedto expatratr himselffor maintaining
like doctrine, and many an lrlshnan has
been transported, without the Intervention
Of jury, for less political offence.
Bat. Fed, Gas.