eligion. Their creed consists of two
principles, one of which I have just mentioned, that is, hatred of
us; the other is a blind attachment to the Orange system. These two
combined, constitute a loyalist of the present day; and with such
impressions operating upon a large mass of men like the fellow inside,
who belong to an ascendant party, and are permitted to carry arms and
ammunition wherever they like, either to search your house or mine,
on the most frivolous pretences, it is not surprising that the country
should be as it is; but it is surprising, that exposed as we are to such
men, without adequate protection, we should possess any attachment at
all to the throne and, constitution of these realms; or to a government
which not only suffers such a state of things to exist, but either
connives at or encourages it. For instance, it was the exhibition of
such principles as you have heard that man avow, that got him and those
who accompany him their appointments; for, I am sorry to say, that there
is no such successful recommendation as this violent party! spirit, even
to situations of the very lowest class. The highest are generally held
by Orangemen, and it is attachment to their system that constitutes
the only passport now-a-days to every office in the country, from the
secretary to the scavenger.'

"This, I fear, is rather an overtime account of the state of things in
the portion of Ireland from which I write; but, whilst I admit this,
I am far from saying that the faults are all on one side. There are
prejudices equally ferocious, and quite as senseless and ignorant, on
the part of the Roman Catholic party--prejudices resulting sometimes
from education, and sometimes from the want of it; but, which certainly
contribute their full share to the almost disorganized state of society
by which I am surrounded."

From the same to the same in continuation.

"May 10, 18--. My dear Spinageberd---Feeling, as I did, exceedingly
anxious to make myself acquainted with the true principles of the Orange
institutions which have spread themselves so rapidly over the country, I
need scarcely say to you that I left nothing that was fair and honorable
undone, on my part, to accomplish that object; or, in other words,
to ascertain whether their private principles, as a political body,
harmonize with their public practices. It is but fair to render justice
to every party, and consequently it is only right and equitable to
inquire