Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-10-31
Orangemen, and their History.

The following sketch of the origin ol
the Order which has recently created such
disturbance in the arrangements made
for the reception of the Prince of Wales
in Canada, is taken from the Brooklyn
Eagle, and conveys historical idea of the
organization, which may not be familiar
to the public generally. ........
The Orangemen of Ireland date their
existence from the year 1858, and name
themselves after William, Prince of Or,
ange, Stakeholder of Holland; and King
of England under the name of William
Ill. After the death of Charles III. OF
EnglSnd, his brother, James H., ascend
ed the throne. Charles lived Protes,
tant, but at heart he alternated between
Deism and Catholicity when well he was
a deist, when sick he inclined to he Cath
olic. On his death bed he refused the
ministra.ions of the ministers of the
Church OF England a priest Of the Catho.
lie Church was surreptitiously conveyed
into his chamber and the Gissoute Charles
died in that faith. His brother James
openly professed that religion, and before
he bad been year on the throne he
turned the whole influence ofthe govern
ment to the re-establishment of Cathol.
cy. The wings and tories united in inS
viting over William, Prince of Orange,
who had married Mary, daughter of
James. He landed With Is, 900 men.
James fled from his kingdom without
struggle in its defence, and William, con.
Jointly with his wife, occupied the vacant
throne. Ireland and Scotland, with de-
votion utterly worthy of a better cause
adhered to the fortunes of James, and in
1859 he Ian ded in Ireland with small
French army, and assisted by the native
Irish, he nearly regained possession of
that portion of his dominions
The plotestants of Ireland, or perhaps
more strictly speaking. the pres0y terians
of Ireland, took refuge within the cities
of Ennskillen and Londonderry. The
forces OF James were concentrated on the
two devoted cities. The Governor of
] Londonderry was in favor of giving up
the city; but though the garrison and in
hebitants were reduced to almost unheard
OF straights, they strenuously resisted the
/ wishes of the Governor and the assaults
of the army Of james. The Governor was
sent to the royal camp, and the town was
defended by the people under the lead of
a clergyman named Walker with reso-
luton never surpassed. Proposition after
proposition of James was received by the
people furnishing with hunger, with ries
of mo surrender" The people were
starving; the flesh Of horses, dogs, cats,
and Of rats even, was a luxury purchasa-
| a ~ la L.,
! for the devoted town, was the arrival of
succor from England Across the river
was placed boom by James army; tie
river was also commanded by cannon.
The ships at length appeared in sight of
! the town; one of them succeeded in
breaking the boom, and in escaping the
cannonade. The Irish army raised the
siege, and the Protestant stronghold was
saved. The prentice boys Of Derry who
took prominent part in the defence,
| took the name OF Orange boys. The next
year William landed in Ireland, and de.
'eated the army ofJames at the battle of
! Boyne. Prominent among the forces of
| William were the defenders of Derry, now
known as 'Orangemen.' The Irish re-
trieved a name sadly tarnshed at the
Boyne in defending Limerick. a capit-
ulaton was effected the Irish army had
a choice Of going to France, and entering
the service of Louis XIV, or of Joining
the army of William They for the most
part chose the former alternative; and
they left Ireland PROSTATE at the feet Of
England The conquest and exhaustion
were complete. A whole century of mis-
rule could not again arouse the people to
resistance.
The Orangemen who performed SO i'm.
portant q part in the defence of the Eng
iish in Ireland welded the power and the
patronage Of the government: they year
ly paraded the streets of the towns and
cities, playing the "Boyne Water" Sea,
oypie Lie Down." and other party tunes,
and flinging into the face of the downs
trodden race the evidence of their defeat.
The policy of England has changed. But
the 0rangemen hold on with tenaoity to
the system which placed in their hands
power and influence, and left at their feet
the subject race every concession to the
mass of the people has been resisted BY
them. From being the tool of the gov
ernment they have becone its chief OBJ,
stacle in carrying ont the so-called re,
forms in the administration of Irish affairs.
If the conduct Of the Prince of Wales
tends to make unpopular so mischievOus
an organization-one so well calculated
to bring disgrace upon religion and foster
i'll blood in Canada, his visit will have
produced most beneficial result for the
important colonies he will one day gov.
eJn.