The New York herald., 1870-01-01
IRELAND.

Party Divisions and Political DtsOr00nfZa.
tion-The Londonderry Excitement-tsovern-
mcnt PrecautI0ns-Tbe March OF Troops
Liberal Association.
LONDONDERRY, Dec. II, 1869.
The celebrations in connection with the shutting
Of the gates Of Derry" which are to take place
within the next four and twenty hours, have been
looked forward 10 for several months past with great
anxiety ana alarm. Under existing circumstances
do not think that such apprehensions are altogether
groundess. circumstances OF recent occurrence,
coupled with the present attitude OF parties here,
justify In my mind ut least the concern which exists
with regard to the demonstrations.
Party feeling throughout the country is high, par
ticuarly Ulster. The Introduction into Parliament
OF Mr.. Gladstone's Suspensory bill awakened
the sectarian spirit OF the North AMI what
has since taken place, l need scarcely say
Is but Ill calculated to aay it. Let me not be
understood to insinuate that regard Mr.. Glad
stones Church policy Us an evil; on the contrary,
believe IL to be the salutary measure in regard
to Ireland, which has received the sanction OF
the British Parliament This l have no doubt will
be seen IN due time. Notwithstanding all that has
been said to the contrary, hold two parties here
and not Mr. Gladst0ne's Church bill, responsible for
the present agitated state OF the country. These
two parties the Fenian party and the tory land
lords. Both were opposed to the disestablishment
and dsendowment OF the Irish Church, as tn ~ are
now opposed to the settlement OF the land ques-
tion, and they doubtless will be opposed TO every
other measure likely to promote the welbelng and
prosperity Of the country. To the Fenan
party l referred at some length in q former
letter. As for the landlords, cannot help
thinking that before long, they VIII seriously repent
their present conduct. do not hesitate to say that
that they are doing every tRing in their power to
bring the Irish policy Of the present government
into contempt. They are at the bottom OF all the
disturbances which have taken place throughout the
country. Through their exertions the Fenian candi-
date was returned at the Tlpperary election. In
Louth . tenant right meeting was disturbed, and
the chairman, Lord Bellew, said that those who
created the disturbance were not Fenians but per-
sons sent there for political purposes by those In
high station. In Belfast lew days since, no less
parsonage than the Duke Of Abercorn Lord Lieu
tenant OF Ireland under the late government, de-
clared that the asitased state OF the country was
entirely owing to the policy OF Mr.. Gladstone. In
the same place. and at the same time, Mr.. Johnston,
NJ p, advised the men OF Derry to hold their process
sion IN commem0ration OF the shutting OF the
gates"
1t Is really disgraceiul for persons holding high
and responsible positions to alsfy in this fashion
the conduct OF public men, and to inciIe the multi
tude to acts which may bring them into personal
conflict with the government and even endanger
their lives But besides the dlse5tablishment OF the
Irish Church, which came upon them like a thunder
clap, the Orangemen OF the North, and particularly
those OF the City In which now wrlIe, have mad
recently other matters Of local nature to embitter
and sour their temper. One grievance, people say,
never comes alone and during the last few months
the OrangeRen Of Ulster have had their share 1t
has long been special privilege with the Orangemen
or RI q mem mhar N parl
political opinions Of the "true blue kind, and
were liable at any moment to be changed into
"orangen color. Ru1 at the late general election
Derry man OF sound liberal opinions and OF very
humble parcntage defeated the son OF the Lord
Lieutenant, TACT which his viceregal parents are
SAID to have felt very acutely. Inc return OF Mr..
Sergeant Dowse was indeed severe blow to Orange
ism In Derry and great triumph 70 the Roman
Catholic and Presbyterian electors, who united
themselves to secure his election.
The riots which took place when the Queens son,
have also been very unfortunate for the Orange
party. They gave his Royal Highness an opp0rtu-
nifty Of seeing and feeling what detesta6le thing
misfortune to aud 1t highly commission was ap-
pointed TO inquire into the cause OF the riots that
occasion. and the commissioners, within the last few
days have strongly condemned the annual ceiebra.
ton Of the 'clOslng or the gates" and ali Other
demonstrations which occasionally take place In this
city Of party or sectarlan character.
But, notwithstanding the humiliation which the
Orange party during the last twelve months have
undergone, In regard TO religious ascendancy, TO
their local politics and TO the blow that is aimed at
their party demonstrations, they nave still the same
disposition to ride rough-shod over their Roman
Catholic Fellow subjects. They nave always been
favorites with the British government, and have been
upheld as the dominant caste in TINS country by the
strong arm Of English law; but now when stripped
OF their power and no longer protected In an ascen
dancy insulting 10 the great bulk OF the people, they
cauno entertain even the idea OF placing themselves
on an equality with the old population OF the coun
try. 1t s not characteristic OF Orangelsm TO be
humble or submissive when 1t meets reverses or Ii
4 hpl 10
nearer To the truth 1t would appear that as it de-
cines In strength ana power, 1t increases III viru
lence and mahgnity Indeed, II the testimony or old
and respectable inhabitants or this city be worth
anything, both par:ics-tne Orangemen and the Ro-
man Catholicsapproach the celebration Of the 18lst
anniversary OF the shutting or the gates with feel
ing no less bitter, no less intense than those ny
which they We're aciuated on similar occasions III
the past.
society here calling itself the Liberal Work
ingmans Defence Assocation' has, IL appears, done
not little to arouse the spirit OF the Orange party.
Indeed, the tenerity and the defiant attitude which
the ASSOCIATION assumed are, in my opinion, wholly
ineXcusabie. week or two ago this association
memorallzed the Lord Lieutenant, praying his ex-
ceency TO adopt sucn measures as may prevent an
breach OF the peace at the celebration OF the APP
preaching anniversary. Tie memoraiisrs then de-
clare tlat In case the government do not protect
them, they are determined 10 take the law into their
own hands ard To- protect themselves by physical
Iorce This Is threat to tie government anu %
challenge 10 The orapgemeu. Ine Lord Lieutenant