MORE GLEANINGS FROM THE EVIDENCE ON ORANGE LODGES.

[You. printed. mud delivered to the Members of the House of Commons) 1. CONDUCT OF ARMED ORANGEMEN—ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN IRELAND.

The examination of the Earl of GOSFORD is full of instruction on these points. From his Lordship's evidence it appears, that on the l5th January last, a party of Orangemen returning from the chairing of Colonel Verner, at Armagh, attacked and burned the house of a poor Catholic, named Mahon, a pensioner of the 7th Dragoon Guards. Sixteen houses near Armagh were burned, in open day, by the same armed Orangemen, on the 28th of the same month. In one of them, a poor bedridden fellow was carried out to escape being burned ; and he perished in the snow. It was given out by the Orangemen, that these excesses were committed in revenge for a scandalous attack by the Catholics, on a man named M'Wbinney, a Protestant, who was very:severely beaten four months before at Armagh races. The four Catholics who had done this act were convicted and transported for the offence ; but to this hour there is not a soul in prison for the out- rageous destruction of the houses said lives of the sixteen Catholics mentioned ; and so far as it appears from the evidence, the Orange Magistrates not only made no attempt to discover and bring to justice the guilty parties, but actually connived at these disgraceful atroclues.

Juoge i fetcher, his address to the Grasd Jury of the county of Wexford, some years ago, gave a view of the bandit! effects of Orangism on Ireland which the evidence obtained in 1835 Alustrates and confirms, as still existing in all its original force. " I have found," says the learned Judge, " that those Orange societies have produced most mischievous effects, particularly in the North of Ireland. They poison the very fountains of justice ; and even some Magistrates, under their influence, have in too many instances violated their duty and their oaths." " So long as these societies act in the lawless manner they do- until these associations are effectually pot down, and the arms taken from the hands of Orangemen-there will be no tranquillity in this country."

" Such is the baneful influenee of these affiliations, that juries have re- fused to do their duty ; perjury has abounded ; the sanctity of oaths has ceased to be binding, save where they administer to the passions of the parties. It wits sufficient to say, such a man displayed stall a colour, to produce an utter disbelief of his testimony; or, when another has stood with his hand at the bar, the display of his party badge has mitigated the murder into manslaughter!" Of the weight to be attached to the

views of Judge Fletcher, our readers will judge from the description he gives of himself. " Attached to no party, I have never mixed with

the zealots of either ; I have been assailed and calumniated by both- such is the lot of the Mau endeavouring to do his duty with firmness and sincerity." Lord GOSFOltD, in his evidence, adopts the views of the Judge ; and states that be is convinced, that so long as those fac- tions on either side remain in Ireland, it is impossible the law can be fairly and fully administered, nor can tranquillity or security of life or property be expected.

The mode in which the Illegal Procession Act is enforced by the Orange Judges and Alagistrates, is strikingly illustrated in the follow-

iug evidence of Mr. J. SINCLAIR, a Magistrate for Tyrone.

4991. " The punishments which have taken place in rises of conviction, for a viola- tion of the. Procession Act, have been very light ? "-" Perfectly ridiculous."

4912. " Are they call:Mated to encourage or to prevent the repetition of similar out. rages, growing out of processions. and of resistance to the law "-" I Inked I should think they encouraged them eery much."

4911 "The parties so convicted and so punished look upon it as a matter of no con- srptence ?".--" They have, in fact, never been convicted ; they have not been tried; they plead Guilty, and have the Cave of a week's imprisonment, which week has nearly emit ed ; that is gone through, and the man goes out."

4993. " Do nut you think that, hum the secret nature of the Orange Institution, and its exclusive spirit in its very composition and hostile position, that organization is cal- (slimed to create a feeling amongst the brotherhood not quite of a nature to make them act as impartial men upon Juries ?"- e I have seen prisoners in the dock with their Orange decorations ; they, of course, expected that that wuuld have its effect in ihejnry-bax."

s999. " Orange rib:Inds or lilies ? "-" 11 ibands and lilies and marygolds." 5000. " That was ill the expectation that it would hint:claw those on the Jury who were or the same body in their favour% "-" It must be stet' that expectation."

5001. " Have they ever been reproved by the Judges for wearing those patty badges ? Ott y es, sometimes : but the Judge might not Fee it ; the flower might he here (On the side). and the jurors on that side see it accordingly."

The conduct of the Tories and the Whigs, regarding the Orange :Magistracy, is exhibited in strong contrast. A fir. Greer, an Orange Alagistrate of Tyrone, was dismissed by Lord Anglesea for his share in Orange processions : Lord Claude Hamilton, a brother of Lord Abercorn, is admitted to the Alagistracy by Lord Haddington and Sir Henry Hardinge, in spite of the tact before them, that this person had openly mingled with and encouraged an Orange procession ; but as his rank and station qualified him for the Magistracy-(this is the true Tory doctrine-rank and station QUALIFY for every thing)-it was not " deemed expedient " to withhold from his Orange Lordship a com- mission of the peace, at the very moment he had shown himself totally .unqualified for the Magisterial office !

2. POLITICAL AND WARLIKE OBJECTS OF ORANGE SOCIETIES.

The Earl of GosroaD's evidence throws considerable light upon this subject. Our readers will please to recollect the impudent denial we quoted last week from the evidence of an Orange Lodge func- tionary, Colonel Verner, M.P., that the Orange Society was NOT POLI- TICAL ( ! ) and then read the questions put to Lord GOSIORD, with his answers thereto.

3535. " Does your Lordship conceive that the Orange Society is necessary in any de- gree for the defence of Protestantism in Ireland? "-" I should rather think Oratigism weakens the Protestaut defence in Ireland ; and for this reason, that I am sure Orang- ism is opposed to the feelings and wishes of a great portion of the thinking and reflect- ine" pal t of the Proiestauts of Ireland, and that they would be very glad to see all that sort of thing we call Orangism put down : abet makes a schism in a body, most weaken it."

3536. " Do not you conceive the Orange Society has been employed for the promotion of party purposes by individuals who were consulting their own political interests and not those of the country ?"-" No doubt ; most certainly." 3537. " Do not you believe that many persons of rank and considerable property in the country have Joined the Orange Society, have endeavoured to extend it, and pro- moted its spirit, with a view to their own political furtherance and advancement ? "- " No doubt ; that is my firm belief; 1 have no doubt it has been made use of for that purpose."

333d. Do not you believe that many individuals in Ireland have put the Orange Society iuto action with a view to the enfeeblement or the destruction of the Whig Governmeut "-" Indeed, I believe a great deal of what has taken place of late years with respect to the renovation, if I may so call it, of Orangism, has had its origin from political vines, and from ono party trying to strengthen themselves against auether political party with whose laditical principles they did not concur."

The political character of Orangism is further illustrated by the following extracts from the "Books of Proceedings of Committee of Grand Orange Lodge," in the Appendix.

"1st September 1931. " That Major Bmwmigg he expelled from this committee, in consequence of his con• duct at the recent election in Dublin, and that his expulsion from the institution tit large be recommended to the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and that a copy of this regulation be forwarded to the King's County Grand Lodge."

" 501 May 1832. " That circulars he forwarded to the several masters of the Orange Lodges in Ireland. requesting them to procure petitions from their several lodges to both Douses of I'ar liament against the new Irish Education system ; also against the Irish Reform Bill ; and to forwent them without delay to the Right Honourable the Earl of Roden, House of Lords, London, endorsed Parliamentary Petition.'"

" 24th December 1834.

" That a document be prepared to be forwarded to the Orange electors of the city of Armagh, calling on them most strongly to support a Protestant candidate, and give their most determined opposition to the return to Parliament of Mr. Debbie, or any other person professing the same Radical principles." It appears that the Orangemen are fully armed ; and that, in consequence of a recommendation of Lord Manderille's (the same nobleman who distin- guished himself lately by his attack ozi Lord Gosford) gun clubs are very generally established • in which guns and bayonets are drawn for, by lot, by Orange members paying a small weekly or monthly sum. This pacific Lord's advice is stated as under : 5234. " You state as the rumour of the country, that it was in mersequence of a speech made at a large meeting at Armagh, where a certain nobleman s '4°k° of Ili" Gun Clubs being formed ; did you hear the nature of the speech, or the „zwecli a limit alluded to the circumstance?"-" I just heard a few words of it. club.,

part of the

e.eler, " What went the eerie you heard ?"-" You have your watch end clock 'Av.' and wi,c not have your gum clubs." eve, " isnot) did this meeting take place?"-" 1 think it was in 1e31."

The power Of these clubs, and the sort of persons they furnish with

arms a; " 110 w many guns were given out in this last dub you mentioned ?"-" I do not know the number of subscribers, but I understood four guns were given out each night of meeting."

5259. " To u bat class' of Protestants are those gnus given ?"-" To the loner order as far as 1 know."

3. RULES, REGULATIONS, AND MACHINERY.

'f he rules and regulations of the Orange affiliations do not at first glance appear so objectionable as they are in reality or in practice. The oath of allegiance to the King, " so long as he supports Pro- testant A seendancy," if not still ostensibly binding. is without doubt still considered the Orange paction with the Sovereign. Lord GOSFOlsD speaks upon this point as follows : 3516. " Although the Orange Society and its rules may inculcate obedience to the laws, and FT:4ms of rank, m ho belong to the Orange Stalely may be anxious that the .■reat body of the Olattgoneet should submit to the law, yet do vet yule conceive that"t the passions and the prejudices td Ile! lower class of Orangemen. when they are confederated Mill feel conscious or power deli, ell front their organization, cannot be restrained, even by their superiors ?"-" There is nut a doubt of the fact. If what I ilillI, seen held out as the. rides let the Orangemen is correct, I can say that llw practice differs greatly from the rules in several instances, and that their conduct hes been oppose,: diametrically to those rules in annoy instances."

3517. " Si, find, how ever well intended the Society might lat in its institution, in its working it has been I nitel detrianentel ?"-" Certainly."

Air. SINCLAIR, it Protestant, and a Magistrate of Tyrone, confirms Lord Gosford.

497a. " If their rules would Lreathe a spirit of Christian charity and forbearance, would you say that the system. as it appears in operatic% is is conformity with the rules?"-" I know nothing of their rules : I dare say thek rules may be very good." 4973. " Ono of their rules is, that they will not admit any cue into their brotherhood act well known to be incapable of persecuting or upbraiding any one on aceouut or his religious oi D i ll ion ?" -'• That is thliculous."

4974. " Is that the practice ?"-" No; the upbraiding is very common."

• 4. THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND AGAIN.

the evidence of Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD, AI. P., establishes the fact that Orang..inen pay lithe respect to the law if it interferes with the superior order of the Orange Lodges. It appears that, in defiance of a proclamation made in 1830, by the Duke of Northumberland, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, against illegal processions, it was resolved by various Orange Lodges, to meet armed, at Crossgar, on Monday the 12th July; which they accordingly did. Mr. Crawford, as a Magistrate, was ordered by Colonel Ward, one of the Governors of the county, to support the laws and to disperse the illegal assembly. He proceeded to the spot, and, after reading the proclamation, commanded them to disperse. They refused, and defied the civil power. Mr. Crawford states, that he collected the Masters of the Lodges together, showed them the proclamation, and warned them of their illegal con-

duct. He goes on to say-

" They treated the comminecation with respect ; but said they had warrants for marching, hearing the authority of Government, and that they considered themselves justititel in marching until those warrauts were withdraw u. They produced to in- nut:tuna some of these warrants bearing, as well as informant recollects, the signature of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, Lord Enniskillen, and some other individuals. Informant endeavoured to impress upon them that they were acting under a wrong impression ; but without effect. In saying that, I found they were under this delusion, elicit I ascertained by further communication with them, that the Duke ofCnmlerlaud's name being attached to the document was as an authority equal to that of the Government of the country. or greater. I argued the point with them : they stated to me, that the Duke of Cumberland is a greater Duke than the Mike of Northumberland. I attempted to remote this delusion : but without effect. Though they said they had a warrant from Government. it appeared, when I mine to investigate it, that they had no warrant from Government. but those warrants."

4344. " It was observed by some of the party, that the authority which they had was as great if nut greater than that which you haul?"-" Yes." 4343. " You were then in the King's name, as a Magistrate, executing your duty?"- 4346. "And yon were informed, that the warrant which they had, gave them autho- rity greater than yours ?"-" Yes; I reccollect their stating their warrants to be signed by the Duke of Cumberland, whereas mine was signed only by the Duke of Nort humberland." 4347. " The Dnke of Cumberland being the brother of Rut King. though the Duke at Northumberland was the Viceroy. and representing his Majesty?"-des." 4348. "The individual being of a higher rank ?"-" Yes." 4350. "They were assembled in thousands ?"-" Yes," 4351. " The leaders with swords?"-" Yes." 5995. " Did you state to them, that you were a Magistrate, clothed with the autho- rity of the Executive; and called upon them, shoeing the ?reclamation, to dis- perse?"-•• I did so."

5996. " Did you do all in your power to impress upon them. that it was their duty as loyal subjects to yield to your ailthority as a Magistrate r -" Yes; I used every persuasive means I could."

597. " Did you succeed ?"-. No" 5998. " Did they say that they had an authority superior to yours ? " -" Yes, that was what they said." 59:19. "Diu they say so, handing you a warrant signed, as you recollect, by the Duke of Cumberland? "-" Yes; I think there was mole than one warrant ; I think there were several warrants shown to me." 6000. ' You mentioned one as having particularly read it ? "-e I think they showed ate more than one that had the same signatures." 6001. " Upon w hat notion 110 you conceive they founded that opinion of theirs, that their authority was superior to :yours! "-•• Because the Duke of Cumberland was the King's brother ; 1 do not know that they used those words, but that was the notion." 6002. " You were acting under the authority of the Duke of Northumberland ? " Under the proclamation of the Duke of Northumberland; at the same time, I do not conceive that it was requisite for me to heave the proclamation of the Duke of North- umberl Ind, because I was acting according to law, independent of that proclamation altogether.

6007. "So that you were acting, as you conceived, in the capacity of a Magistrate according t6 the common law, and in obedience to the instructions of the Viceroy, the Duke of Northumberland; and having stated distitictly the authority with which you were armed, they, knowing you were a Magistrate at the time, refused to obey your orders, stating that they had a superior authority to you, and that that authority was a warrant or warrants signed by the Duke of Cumberland and others ?"-" Yoe" The following is a minute from the book of Orange proceedings; from which it appears that the Duke of Cumberland ought to be cogni- zant of the establishment of Orange Lodges in the Army.

" 22d April 1830.

" Moved by the Rev. C. Boyton, seconded by Francis Kierman:

"That this Committee do recommend to the Grand Orange Lodge, at its meeting OM the 5th May, to establish a law, that all warrants in future be signed alone by the Grand Master, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, by the senior D. 0. M. of Ireland, , the Grand Secretary of Ireland, and countersigned by the County Grand uter . THOMAS NIHON, At G. I. ' W. Baowitazoo, Chairman.