Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-09-21
WHO ARE THE oRANGEMENq

The strange conduct Of the Orange
men in Canada toward the Prince Of ;
Wales, is drawing public attention to-
ward the origin, nature, and objects of
their association. We find the whole
matter well explained in the New York
Commercial Adrerttser, as follows:
"a good deal of misapprehension ex-
lists in the public mind, with reference to
the origin and history Of the Institution
of Orangemen, which has lately, both on +
this continent and In Ireland, led to dis /
agreeable, and even lawless demonstra-
sions. Instead of dating as far back as
1890, the year of the battle Of Boyne,
it is not so old by at least a century. In
fact, it only made its appearance a short
time before the instruction of 1898 broke
out, and was got up by the Irish aristoe-
racy in the English interest to offset the
influence Of the society known as the
United Irishmen,' organized by Theo-
dore Wolfe Tone and others. The latter
body partook fully of the revolutionary
ideas then beginning to agitate Europe.
Its objects, more Immediately, were
national separation from England and
the disconnection of the church from the
State; but many of its members went
the length Of adopting republican princi-
ples, while others sought rather the over
throw Of the Protestant religion than its
mere deprivation of state recognition and
support.
Under these circumstances the Orange
societies sprang into existence. They
took their name from the celebrated prin-
cipality which furnished the great leaders
of the Dutch and English revolutions.
The Third William of England was their
patron saint, and the anniversaries of the
battles of the Boyne and Aughrim were
adopted as grand occasions for parades
and other demonstrations. If their OPP
ponents clamored for nationality, with
equal rights for men of all religions, the
Orangemen were quite as jealous for
Protestant supremacy and close union
with England. In the Celts they beheld
an inferior race, designed by Providence
to be hewers of wood and drawers Of
water for the dominant Anglo Saxons
In Roman Catholics they recognized only
persons who were ready to perpetrate ev'
cry species of crime at the bidding of
a foreign potentate. Experience has
shown that many abuses and much mis-
apprehension existed on both sides; in
deed, at that day few had learned the
great principles of religious federation
and the equality of all sects before th'
law. When it is considered that boil
organizations were carried on in secret
by means of signs and passwords, ant
that the people among whom they exiSte'
are about the most excitable under tn
sun, it is no wonder that they led to tn
bitterest enmities and even bloodshed il
many instances. In the rebellion Of 179
the Orange societies, of course, renders
all the aid in their power to the govern
ment, and for this they were liberal
patted and petted in return.
With the growth of more liberal ideai
however, it was seen that the influence {
the association in Ireland was as mischiey
Gus as uncalled for. Midsummer was n
more certain to bring swarms of file
than its accounts of feuds, riots and er
gagements between the two great partie
known by their respective colors as Ii
Orange and Green. The one was boil
defiant, tyranical, ferocious; the otht
timid, treacherous, revengeful, and bloc,
thirsty. 1t is the same in every contr
versy between dominant and oppresst
races but in this case the bitterest re
gious rancor was added to this Different
of race, language, habits, and loug-co
tinued disputes. Truth compels US
add that the clergy on both sides we
responsible for much Of this factitio
feeling, by appearing at professions, d
livering fervid addresses, and otherwi
tanning the unchristian flame. Even
late as the 18th of July last one Of the:
in spite of the inhibition of his superic
the Bishop of Down and Como
preached Especial Orange sermon in
city of Belfast, before large number
lodges belonging to that order. The
client harangues of many Roman Catt
lie priests in the South and West are
well known to need special reference
this country.
The revival of the feud in Canada,
seen in the disgraceful attitude of the
angemen toward the Prince of Wales,
eminently absurd and out of place.
these miserable quarrels of the old COT
try should be left behind when the Ell
grant crosses the Atlantic, and cor
within the sphere of perfect tolerat
and unobstructed moral rights. Thu