Ulster loyalists protest against Home Rule threat
THERE was much disquiet in Ulster during March 1886. The reason for the feeling of foreboding was the impending introduction of the First Home Rule Bill to the House of Commons by Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone (the bill was put before Parliament on April 6, 1886 and is also known as the Irish Government Bill).
The bill was to the first major attempt made by a British parliament to enact a law establishing home rule for part of the United Kingdom, something that Charles Stewart Parnell and the Irish Parliamentary Party had been agitating for since the 1870s, but it was a proposition that was vociferously opposed by unionists and the Orange Order and meetings were held across the north venting anger at Gladstone’s planned reforms and expressing loyalty to the British Crown.
One such demonstration was held at the Orange Hall in Rathfriland in Co Down and the News Letter billed it as a protest “against the Government making any concessions to the so-called National Party”.
The News Letter reported that owing to a nationalist concert, which had been organised close by, the authorities had deemed it wise to have a force of some 100 police drafted into the town and stationed at several points, by District-Inspector Oulton, where it was feared “a collision might take place between the opposing parties”.
Shortly before four o’clock the Orangemen from the outlying districts began to arrive in the town headed by bands and that after marching through the town, they proceeded to the Orange hall where the meeting was held. The following lodges were represented, reported the News Letter’s correspondent: No 158, Drumlough, No 300, Ballyroney, No 436, Lisnamulligan, No 575, Islandbog, No 575, Rathfriland, No 765, Ardarragh, No 726, Donaghmore, No 847, Rathfriland, and No 1966, Glascar Hill.
Mr Joseph Robinson of No 1966, Glascar Hill, moved the first resolution at the protest. He said: “That, being fully convinced of the immense advantages to all classes of this country of the Union between Great Britain and Ireland, and having no faith in a separate Parliament, we desire to express our firm conviction that the authority of such a Parliament would not be recognised by the loyal people of this country.”
The Rev Mr Briscoe, commending the resolution put forward by Mr Robinson, said that he had been called upon by the chairman of the meeting (Mr Andrew Sloane) to address them on the matter of why they should oppose any imposition of Home Rule on Ireland.
He remarked: “You are all attached to men, by blood and kindred, who have shown their loyalty and before very long you will be called upon to do the same. But I am not here to fire the spirits of Orangemen, as I am a minister of Christ, but I have joined this institution to further the cause of Orangeism and to direct it to the right aims and objects. The object for which we have gathered here this evening was one that commended itself to the loyal hearts of every man. It is not that we wish to fight or to give offence to anyone, but to show that we are united in the opinion that the union that exists between Ireland and Great Britain – a country which, by its influence, had brought prosperity to other nations, and had shown its influence throughout the different countries of the world – should be maintained.”
The Rev Briscoe’s speech concluded with “great cheering” noted the News Letter and Mr Robinson’s resolution was unanimously passed.
Mr Thomas Ledlie proposed the next resolution brought before the meeting, it read: “That we view with alarm any legislation which would extend to Ireland schemes of local government, which however suited to England and Scotland, would in this country confer supreme power upon a class which the experience of the past has shown, would be used to encourage rebellion and oppress the peaceable, loyal and industrious inhabitants of the land.” Mr William Atkinson seconded Mr Ledlie’s motion which was then passed by all the meeting.
A third resolution was proposed by the Rev Mr Oswald, and read as follows: “That we enter our solemn protest against the National League, and call on her Majesty’s Government to take measures for the suppression of such a society as the first step towards the protection of life and property, and the restoration of law and order in Ireland.”
The Rev Oswald continued that the brethren had come together that evening in Rathfriland for a “grand and great purpose” and that was to raise their “solemn, energetic, and unanimous protest against Home Rule”. Home Rule, added the Rev Oswald, meant Rome Rule (a phrase that had been coined by Quaker John Bright and British radical and liberal statesman), which was greeted by cheers from the audience.
The Rev Oswald’s opinion of Home Rule was a bleak one and he warned the audience of the dangers to Ireland, but above all to Ulster. He remarked: “Home Rule implies political weakness. Ireland standing alone can not maintain her position among the nations of the world. Separation from England will mean poverty to Ireland.
“If separation takes place between England and Ireland, and if Ulster were cut off from the other parts of Ireland, where would that leave us? It would leave us in a position of ruin.
“Capitalists have come to Ulster and invested their money, and the moment that separation takes place the capitalists. . . if they cannot sell their goods they will leave, and large numbers of people will be thrown out of employment and the natural result will be the country falling into a state of poverty.”
The News Letter correspondent’s report concluded by stating that all three of the resolutions brought before the Orange brethren had been passed unanimously that night and that at the end of proceedings they all loyally sung God Save The Queen.
The vote on the bill took place after two months of debating and, on June 8, 341 voted against it (including 93 Liberals) while 311 voted for it. Parliament was dissolved on June 26 and the UK general election of 1886 was called.
The 1886 election saw Gladstone and the Liberals ousted from power and saw the end of the period of Liberal dominance in British politics. The Liberals had held power for 18 of the 27 years since 1859 and had won five of the six elections held during that time. After 1886 they would only be in power for three years out of the next 19 years.
In came a Conservative government under the leadership of Lord Salisbury. Salisbury had secured the support of the breakaway Unionist wing of the Liberals which was led by Lord Hartington (late the Duke of Devonshire) and Joseph Chamberlain who came to be known as the Liberal Unionists and ensured that Home Rule was no longer on the agenda at Westminster.
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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