, but one answer to be given--the Roman
Catholic. What else, then, is this excessive loyalty to the state but a
clause of justification for their own excesses, committed in the name,
and on the behalf of religion itself? Did they not also constitute
themselves the judges who were first to determine the nature of these
opinions, and afterwards the authorities who should punish them? Here
is one triumphant party with arms in their hand, who have only, if they
wish, to mark out a victim, and declare his religion and principles
as hostile to the state; and, lo! they are at liberty, by their own
regulations, to 'persecute' him!

"In the 5th secret article there occurs the following:--'We are not to
carry away money, goods, or anything, from any person whatever, except
arms and ammunition, and these only from an enemy.'

"This certainly shows the nature of the cruel and domiciliary tyranny
which they, subsequently to '98, carried to such excess in different
parts of the country; and here, as in the other instance, what was there
to guide them in determining the crime which constituted an enemy?
Why, their own fierce prejudices alone. Here, then, we find a body
irresponsible and self-constituted, confederated together, and trained
in the use of arms (but literally unknown to the constitution), sitting,
without any legal authority, upon the religious opinions of a class
that are hateful and obnoxious to them--and, in fact, combining within
themselves the united offices of both judge and executioner. With
the character of their loyalty I have no quarrel; I perceive it is
conditional; but the doctrine of unconditional loyalty is so slavish and
absurd, that the sooner such an unnecessary fetterlock is struck off the
mind the better. To-morrow evening, however, I am to be introduced to an
Orange Lodge, after the actual business of it shall have been transacted
and closed. This is a privilege not conceded to many, but it is one of
which I shall very gladly avail myself, in order that I may infer from
their conduct some faint conception of what it generally is."

CHAPTER XIX.--An Orange Lodge at Full Work

--Solomon in all his Glory--He Defines Drinking to be a Religious
Exercise--True Blue and the Equivocal--Phil's Eloquence--A Charter
Toast.

From the same to the same.

"Friday, * * *

"The order of business for each night of meeting is, I find, as
follows:--1. Lodge to open with prayer, members standing. 2. General