Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-10-12
MISCELLANEOUS READING.

THE ORANGEMEN AND THEIR HISTORY.
The following sketch of the origin of the
order which lately created such q dIstnr-
bance in the arrangements made for the re-
reception of the Prince Of Wales is taken
from the Brooklyn Eagle, and will convey c.
historical idea of the organization, which
may not be familiar to the public.
The Orangemen of Ireland date their exis-
tence from the year 1858, and name them
selves after William, Prince Of Orange Stad-
thoder of Holland, and King of England
under the name of William III. After the
death of Charles H., of England, his broth
er James H., ascended the throne. Charles
lived Protestant, but at heart he alterns-
ted between Deism and Catholisity; when
well he was Deist, when sick he was
Catholic. On his death bed he refused
the ministrations of the ministers of the
Church Of England a priest of the Catho-
lie Church was surreptitiously conveyed in
to his chamber, and the diSsolute Charles
died in that faith. His brother James op-
enly professed that religion, and before he
had been year on the throne he turned
the whole influence Of the Government to
the reestablshment of Catholicity. The
wings anu tOTlcS uultcu Ill iHNttibS S'Sh
William. Prince of Orange, who had marri-
ed Mary daughter of James. He landed
with 10000 men. James fed from hic
kingdom without struggle in its defense.
and William, conjointly with his wife, fll-
ed the vacant throne. Ireland and Scot
and, with devotion worthy of better
cause. adhered to the fortunes of James.
and in 1859 he landed in Ireland with
small French army, and, assisted by the ma
tive Irish, he all but regained possession of
that portion of his dominions. The Protest
ants of Irelaud--or perhaps more strictly
speaking, the Presbyterians of Ireland
took refuge within the walls of Enniskilen
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 inhabi-
tants and the garrison were reduced to al
most unheardo of straits, they strenously re-
sisted the wishes of the Governor and the
assaults of the army of James The Govern
or was sent to the royal camp, and the town
was defended by the people, under the lead
of a clergyman named Walker, with a reso-
luton never surpassed. Proposition after
proposition of James was received by the
people, famishing with hunger. with cries OF
'no surrender "The people were literally
starving: the flesh of horses, dogs, cats, and of
rats even was n luxury purchassble not by
money. The only hope for the devoted towr
was in the arrival of succor from England
Across the river was placed boom by
James army, the river was also commanded
by cannon. The ships at last appeared in
sight Of the town; one of them succeeded in
breaking the boom and escaping the cannon
ade. The Irish army raised the siege, and
the Protestant stronghold was saved. The
prentice boys of Derry, who took prom
inent part in the defence, took the name OF
Orange boys. The next year William lam
ded in Ireland, and defeated the army of
James at the battle of the Boyne. Prom
inent among the forces of William were
the defenders of Derry, now known as O:-
angemen. The Irish retrieved name sad
lv furnished at the Boyne in defending Ii
merck A capitulation was effected; the
Irish army had choice of going to
France and entering the service of Louis
XIV, or Of joining the army OF W William
They tor the most part chose the former al
ternatve; and they left Ireland PROSTATE st
the feet of England. The conquest and ex-
haustion were complete. A whole century
Of msrule could not again arouse the people
to resistance. The Orangemen who perform
ed SO important part in the defence OF the
English in Ireland welded the power and
patronage of the Government; they yearly
naraded the streets of the towns and the
cities, playing the ''Boyne Water" Crop
pie Lie Down." and other party tunes, and
flinging into the face of the down-trodden
race the evidence of their defeat. The po-
Icy of England has changed. But the
Oranye yemen held on with tenacity to the sys-
TEN which placed in their hands power and
influence. and left at their feet the subject
race; every concession to the mass OF the peo-
pie has been resisted by them. From being
the tool of the Government they have become
it's chief obstacle in carrying out the so-called
reforms in the administration of Irish affairs,
if the conduct of the Prince of Wales tends to
make unpopular so mischievous an organ
ization, one so we'll calculated to bring dis
grace upon religion and foster i'll blood IN
Canada, his visit will have produced moss
beneficial result for the important colonies
L