The Irish standard., 1900-11-10
the SPIRIT OF ORANGE OFFICIALS
British Government Connives
at Rampant Rowdyism.
AN EXCURSION PARTY IS ATTACKED
BY Cowardly Followers of King
Billy Of the Boyne.

While sojourning in Dublin, one of
those sudden, ineXplicable outbursts
of religious frenzy, which disturb Ire
land from time to time which embit-
ter life there, broke out in the North,
says John Woods in the Providence
Visitor. Having heard and read so
much about these religious strifes in
the past, 1t was decided to 20 and
study this one on the spot where it
was taking place, and while it was
hottest. The daily papers were filled
with accounts of the religious feuds in
Portadown, which appeared almost in,
credible, but in reality. these accounts
did not paint the affair half as bad as
it actually was. Many incidents which
came under the writer's observation in
and around Dublin, during short
stay there, only increased his desire
to see and study the people of the
North in their own camping ground.
Many cases of incivility. aye, even of
positive rudeness, were noticed in theil
manner of treating Catholics, when
ever they suspected these latter to be
friendless, or little likely to be able to
retaliate. AS officials, Orangemen
throughout the country are rude ana
overbearing when. dealing with Catho-
lies; IL person is ut loss to know
| which is the more wonderful, the pa
tiencc of the poor people, or the con-
dition Of society which tolcratcs such
| incivility.
The train from Dublin to Belfast
runs through rich, pleasing country,
mostly given over to grazing Maln-
hide, a delightful and healthful sum-
mer resort, much frequentcd by the
| Dublinitcs, is encountered before
reaching Droghcda. Drogheda, n
thriving, industrious town of some
10000 inhabitants, is the next place of
Importance reached. 1t is built on the
historic bay, about five miles from it's
mouth, which serves as Il safe and
spacious harbOr. The rnilroad bridge
which spans the river is said to be the
largest In Ireland. 1t is n noble prod
uct of engineering, 95 feet high, Is
arches in length. The remains of St.
Mary's Abbey, founded in the reign Of
Edward !, will repay IL visit. The
train also passed through Balbriggan,
the seat of the famous Balbriggan
hosiery industry, n neat, thriving vii
lage, seemingly quiet, healthy place
to reside.
When the train reached Portadown
Junction stop was made in order to
study on the ground the workings OF
one of these religious outbreaks which
disturb the north of Ireland every now
and then.
Portadown, small town on the
Bann, was the scene Of the most cow
ardly attack on Catholic excursion
party. Portadown. it is said, has been
very free from these religious dis
turbances for years, though at one
time 1t was a secthing center of party
passion.
The attack in the present instance
was most cowardly, uncalled for. A
Catholic society had planned an ex-
cursion to a seaside resort called Bun
doran. The clergy were at the head
Of the excursion, had announced the
Sunday before that there would be an
early mass, that the excursionists
would walk in body from the church
to the train. During the week the
Orangemen threatened to interfere
with the excursionists but little heed
was paid to their threats, well believ-
ing they were merely the idle vaunt-
ings Of silly fanatics But so as not to
give any offcnse or excuse for moles-
alton, the Catholics went to an early
mass in odd ones. as on any other Sun
day, without displaying any cmblems,
banners or the party symbols. This
did not protect them however,; they
We're jolted and jOstled on their way
to church in a shameful manner, some
were thrown down, others set upon
and buffcted. After mass the priest
cOunsclcd them to 90 to the depot by
the shortest road possible, to studi-
ously refrain from making any display
whatever, to scatter as much as pos
sible, so as to avoid all semblance of
display. This did not protect them,
for as soon as they left the church