ARGUMENTS V. FACTS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2188, 23 March 1880, Page 2

ARGUMENTS V. FACTS.

[to this kiutok.]

Silt, —In years gone by, during the early history of this colony, there happened in one of its law courts a ease in which the Society of Orangemen was covertly alluded to as an illegal society, or a body of men dangerous to the safety ami welfare of a country. I will show, for the information of those interested, how utterly at variance such arguments were with historical facts ; and how pertinent was the remark of a great philosopher (Lord Bacon) more than two centuries ago, when ho said that it was a lawyer’s duty to get his client off by some means, “ but to net him off.'' The following is part of the oath taken by all Orangemen on their initiation ; conclusive evidence of the impossibility of their being a treasonable body of men:—lst. “That he is not, never was, nor will become a member of any of the societies called Bibbonmen or Fenians, fir any other body or society ol' men who are enemies to the lawful Sovereign, or the glorious constitution of Great Britain and her colonies, and that he never took an oath of secrecy to them or any other treasonable society.” 2nd. “That be will, as far as in him lies, anaint the mar/isfrates, and civil authorities in the lawful execution of their duty when called upon to do so.” On Dee. Id, 1 (iA-y King William Ilf. passed an Act of Parliament to the following effect:— “ Bill of Bights ami accession, agreeably to the declaration of Bights, Ac., to the Crown of Great Britain,” with the addition of this remarkable clause—“ That all Papists, or persons marrying Papists, be excluded from sitting upon or inheriting the throne ami crown of Great Britain for ever.'' During the reign of King George 111. upon one occasion he was severely pressed by some of Ids inilnential attendants to grant some concessions to the Bope of that time, when be replied thus, “I dare not break my oath ; I may descend to a cottage, I may even lay my neck on the block, but I will never violate my coronation oath.” The oaths taken by Orangemen are practically blended in the coronation oath, ami he would he a bold person who would go so far as to argue that the present Queen sits illegally on the throne of England : and yet it would seem there arc some who have done so by implication. It may not be generally known when and how the institution of Drangeism originated. I will here relate the cause and when. The Orange Association was formed on Sept. 21, 171)5. As was not uncommon in those days between Feudal parties, there bad been a ipiarro], the rival tribes belonging to Humanists ami Protestants respectively. After the battle (the Protestants being the victors) a. truce was entered into, ami one day bad only elapsed, when a solemn engagement was most perfidiously violated, by an unarmed party of the victors being tired upon. It lias been said, and is frequently said to this day, that it is calculated to excite bad feelings ami to promote tumults ami aggression. But by whom? To this the best reply is the tranquility of that part of Ireland called Ulster, containing quite a fourth of the entire population of the country, and where the organisation of Orangeism is most effective. In the present state of that country the following questions (might suggest themselves. The merchant on ’Change should ask “Why are lands in the North of Ireland of more value than in any other parts ? Why docs capital find a more secure investment there? Why in the estimate for the Irish military establishment Ulster puts the Empire to not one twelfth of the total cost?” The man of moral and religious principles should inquire, “ Why is it that inquests on violent deaths there arc so few —fewer than in any other part of the Empire?” and if it bo found that the districts where there is least crime,most security, and least expense of government arc districts where Orangeism is most prevalent, it should awaken a disposition, not, of course, to receive as truth what Orangemen allege, but to give instant and implicit credence to what their enemies inveigh against them, much less brand them as a seditious, treasonable, and illegal society of men. This association of Orangemen has stood the test of two most scrutinising Parliamentary committees —one of the House of Lords in the year 1825, and the other of (he Commons in 1816 —without the slightest imputation being cast upon it: surely sufficient evidence for legislators of a young country to he guided by, if they could only he taught to look beyond present requirements. —-I am, Ac., LFAM H DUE ABC.