Mower County transcript., 1871-07-20
The American Battle of the Boyne,

Nearly two hundred years have
elapsed since the hatcrs of popish os-
,racism, in both England and Ireland,
uodcr the leadership of William Henry,
Prince Of Orange, engaged in deadly
conflict with the :dhcrcnts Of Cathol-
icism on their native soil.
This was n war Of conscience, in
spired in good degree by unholy feel
in:s of religious intolerance. From
the sickcnin: details of the latest New
York riot, it Seems that the ancient
fcud which divided the Orange men and
Ribbon mcu, has been kept alive FROM
generation to generation, and has not
only been transferred to this country,
but has actually broken out in fresh
scenes Of carnage, in the streets OF our
great commercial metropolis.
This fact is one Of national import
ance, not merely because the whole mu-
nicipal, civil and military power Of a
great city and State, were required to
suppress the incursions Of an infuristed
mob, and protect a body Of citizens in
the enjoyment of their constitutional
right to celebrate in their own way the
anniversary Of their ancient victory
not merely because more than one hun
,red lives were lost, and three hundred
more citizens were wounded in the at
tempt to suppress the riot, but more
cmphatically is it question of national
Importance, because it involves the
questions Of personal liberty and re.
ligious tolerance.
Orangemen, organized for no unlaw
full purpose, as their declaration o1
principles, constitution and oath, al
clearly indicate, proposed to celebrate
in their own quiet way, as best the.
could in a crowded city, the day OF
which their forefathers fought for re
Iigious liberty-thc identical boon ou
own government vouchsafes to all who
land on her shores. To do this in :
lifting manner, speeches, banners, songs
professions and other exercises, con,
mon on all public occasions in this coun
t.y, are arranged. These Of course
must in their character bear some re
srmblanco to the scenes they are intend
u to commemorate. All of thcs
demonstrations arc not only common
throughout the country, but the righ
to engage in such festivities is guaran
tccd by State and Federal Constitr
tions, rs an essential clement of tha
personal libcrty-including freedom {
thought, freedom Of speech and religion
independence aud toleration-to sccur
which, SO many great struggles wei
made in the early history Of the natio'
Just at this point, in step the desccne
ants Of the Ribbon men who have Gu,
grated to our shores, all lovers Of poI
ish intolerance, and with threats {
violence that remind one Of the anc:cl
lays Of the 1nquistiou, forbid all pul
lie demonstration. Trey organize
every part Of tho city, for the purpo
IT carrying their threats into execution
'Icrc is a.: open, bold, riotous, bigote
,.'tempt to trample the laws Of tho lar
undcr foot. At FIRST the authorities
'hc Dcmncratic-C Catholic city, wavcr al
ounsel submission To the demands
the mob. Gov Hoffman, terrified, lc
.:4c outraged sentiments Of the COUNT
should brand him as a trcachcrous, in
l.cilc Executive, comes slowly to Il
,.xcuc, and orders the demonstration
20 forward, and promises protection
But he is too late to prevent tho ma
:.cre Of men, women and children, tn
iullows
We have but u word to add. I'll
riotous outbreak, is the first Amcric
Lat,lc Of the Boyne-the first bloc
l.ltrt IN A,r"r,''.,,. shores, bctwc