THE ORANGE SOIREE.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1685, 13 July 1875, Page 4

THE ORANGE SOIREE.

The soiree m connection with the Oranee Institution, in memory of the passage of theßovTie was held last evening in the Choral HalJ. Tea was served at half-past six o clock, of which some two huuored guests panto k. Duriug the Jisappearanca ot- the viands, the Artillery Band played sew alselections of music. Mr Dargaville took cne chir at eight o'clock, when the 'Vatr. hall was completely titled with visitors, Oa'Z lons thiu j-veu hundred bias* present. J-n« diutrn,;, iv ins p uiny speech referred to tan oi>j-ot of the meeting which was to commemorate the !-tru,..des end successes oi their Protea aia fi.renireis in relatiou to religious ttevoom Those bn.ve men had fought for civil and religous liberty, and it was well that th-ir descendants iti "all parts of the world should honoi tbeir memory. He referred, in terms of satisfaction, to the sympathy shewn in the object of the meeting by the numerous concourse which had gathered there that night—Dr. Maunsell referred to the cause of Orangeism in a brief speech, and said their object was not to triumph over any sect of men, but simply to rejoice in the triumphs of constitutional privileges, and he greatly rejoiced that they, were at peace with their Roman Catholic fellow-subjects. He hoped it might long continue. But while they should not endeavour to triumph over those who differed from them in religious belief they ought strenuousty to guard against the Catholics gettiDg more than their proper share of tinfluence in tne community. He maintained that the Catholics when they had the power were inclined to use it in opposition to religious toleration. Recent events, he thought, furnished sufficient proof of this. The rev. gentleman proceeded to speak in strong terms of the dominations of the priesthood over the laity, and the bigotry of the latter. He compared the anniversary of that night with that in America, celebrating the triumph of liberty. —Mr Edward Lewi3 spoke at length on the immediate object of the meeting. Ho condemned Roman Catholicism as < pp^sed to thab liberty for which the blood of heroes had been shed. Anyouc not fully convinced of this should procure a copy of the " Syllabus," which would satisfy them of the declared views of the Pope. Tt was a volume teeming with anathemas and cuises against all the leading institutions which they had learned to cherish. Mr. Lewis gave an account of the discovery of captives enduring fearful tortures under the Inquisition in Spain. The Orange Institution, he contended, was a great necessity to keep in cheek the claims of the Papacy, which was as iuoolerani in the nineteenth century as iv the Dark Ages.—The musical parh of the programme was adhered to and performed in a highly creditable manner. Several pianoforte duets were played by tha Mi-sea Hayles. which commanded much attention, and especially the performance of ''.Jessie's ■' Dreiim" which wps much applauded. Mr Harding sang "Nil Desperaadum," and two other ballads in a ma&terly manner. Madame Moller also sang with much spirit. Mr Hull the well known vocalist, andothe,r ladi-.s and gentlemen aided the entertainment considerably by music and voic«, and a very agreeable evening concluded loyally with the National Anthem.