1869: Orangemen are urged to remain peaceful but defiant

As the day advanced “the excitement became more intense”, until about eleven o’clock the brethren of Greyabbey marched out to meet a contingent from Newtownards before proceeding to meet those from Portaferry, Carrowdore, Kirkcubbin, Ballywalter and the surrounding district.

Having all assembled in order of procession, headed by the Newtownards Flute Band, they proceeded to a field adjoining the village which had been kindly lent by John Askin, Esq of Ballynester, where, the News Letter’s correspondent noted, “they mustered between five and six thousand strong”.

The lodges present on the grounds included Nos 240, 1055, 481, 1363, 1501, 1310, 1051, 1058, 1592, 552, 858, 673, 878, 1884 and 1907.

One of the speakers from the “tastily-arranged” platform was the Reverend Hugh Wilson of Ballywalter. He used his speech to the brethren to urge them, while remaining defiant to the Liberal administration which was led by William Ewart Gladstone (“the chosen leader of Romanists, Ritualists, Radicals, and Infidels”), to remain within the bounds of the law.

Speaking in favour of the first resolution (“that it is the duty of every Christian nation to encourage and extend true Christian principles; and that this meeting strongly disapproves of Mr Gladstone’s Bill [The Irish Church Disestablishment Bill], as tending to subvert the Protestant Constitution of the country”, the Rev Wilson had said: “You profess to be loyal. You are devotedly attached to our once glorious Constitution. Show, then, that you obey its enactments. Let it be seen that, even under extreme provocation, you can be patient.”

He continued: “There are many, I know, who believe that the present Government would be glad to see you put yourselves into a false position, that they might be enabled to enact, if possible, still more stringent laws against you. Don’t give them the chance.

“You can yet meet together; you can express your sentiments on any public question; but, having done this, without any illegal display, disperse quietly to your respective homes, and give no handle to your enemies.”

Reflecting on the flags which “flutter gloriously in the breeze” the Rev Wilson reminded the brethren of the time from which they had originated.

He remarked: “The time immediately before was dark and dismal. That which followed was one which, till now, was held in universal honour. Before the arrival of the great and good King William, the position of Protestants was, indeed, precarious.”

Speaking of the emancipation of Roman Catholics and the position in which Protestants in Ireland now found themselves in the 1860s, the Rev Wilson said: “When admitted to all the rights and privileges of citizens, they bound themselves by the most solemn promises, and even the most sacred oaths, not to disturb the Protestant institutions of the country. How have they adhered to their oaths? How have they kept their promises? I need scarcely advert to the question which now agitates and disturbs the entire land.”

In the Rev Wilson’s opinion, and that of Orangemen across Ireland, the blame lay firmly with Gladstone and his determination to “subvert the Protestant Constitution”.

Of Gladstone the Rev Wilson said: “The genius of Gladstone is said to consist in destruction not in construction, in demolition not in preservation; but I fear it is in the destruction and demolition of all that is truly good, in the construction and preservation of what will be found dangerous to himself, and injurious to the best interests of his country. But no doubt all this arises from the love which so many of our English aristocracy bears to the flippery of Rome.

“Our plain Irish surplice or our modest black gown suits not their taste. They are only pleased with the gaudy garb of Rome; but this, like the tunic of Dejonira, presented to her by the expiring Centaur, will only envelope in utter ruin the flame it was cast around to cover and protect.”

At the conclusion of the day’s speeches and festivities the vast assemblage quietly dispersed, as the Rev Wilson had urged.

But the News Letter correspondent did note: “Although precautions had been taken by the authorities, there was not the slightest occasion for the interference of the police, everything passing off in a most orderly manner.”

CELEBRATIONS BEGIN

AS CATHEDRAL BELLS

RING OUT (1871)

Writing from Dromore in Co Down News Letter reporters captured the Twelfth mood in 1871.

They wrote: “The anniversary of the victory of the Boyne was commenced in this old Protestant town by the ringing of the old cathedral bell at a very early hour.

“Many were up betimes to join the musicians with their favourite instruments of fife and drum parading the streets, and playing many beautiful airs suitable to the day which they were commemorating.

“On the top of the cathedral steeple a number of flags were displayed, and, at the end of the eastern aisle was placed a circle composed of orange lily leaves, on the top of which was placed a large bunch of orange lilies, and in many other places through the town and outskirts arches and bunches of orange lilies were exhibited.”

The correspondent continued: “At ten o’clock, or thereabouts, the Orangemen, accompanied by those of the district around, took their leave for Dromara, a small village about five miles from the town.

“This presented a pleasing spectacle, all being well clad, and displaying colours suitable to the Order. Their order in procession gained the approbation of all who witnessed their leaving.”

Meanwhile a correspondent based in Downpatrick furnished the News Letter with details of the celebrations in the capital of Co Down.

They wrote that the bells of the parish church in the town had pealed for “the greater portion of the night” to usher in the Twelfth celebrations and then ten flags were hoisted on the steeped of the church at an early hour in the morning and were kept there during the entire day.

The correspondent continued: “About eight o’clock on Wednesday morning, the county lodges commenced to arrive in this town in order to take part in the demonstrations.

“About that hour, a number of the Downpatrick lodges formed into order, and with flags flying and drums and fifes playing, proceeded to the Quoile Bridge, to meet the Inch and Ballyculter contingent.

“A junction was then formed between the two bodies, who marched into town, and went to the railway station.

“By this time several other lodges – some from Ballykilbeg – arrived in town and took up a position opposite the railway station, where a very large number of spectators were assembled to witness their departure. Most of those present wore orange sashes and rosettes, and orange lilies were in profuse abundance.

“The bands in the meantime continued playing the Protestant Boys and Boyne Water and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed throughout.”

A special train was “in readiness”, reported the correspondent, to bring those present to Comber.

At about half-past nine o’clock the train moved off “amid vociferous cheering – the passengers waving orange sashes and handkerchiefs”.

Shortly before six o’clock that evening the return special train arrived in town from a day of marching and celebration in Comber.

On leaving the station house the entire number marched up Market Street, in order of procession.

The correspondent noted: “The drums were beaten with a will, and the whole scene was most animated.

“Some very handsome flags were also carried by the large concourse, which must have numbered upwards of 2,000.”

Afterwards the different lodges separated and proceeded to their respective destinations, “marching in procession with drums beating and flags flying”.

ORANGEISM NEEDED

MORE THAN EVER WARNS NEWS LETTER EDITOR (1878)

Shortly after two o’clock on the afternoon of The Twelfth in 1878 Sir William and Lady Verner, Mr and Mrs Coleman, Mr Davies and other guests ascended the platform “amid deafening cheers”.

On having taken the chair of the meeting Sir William Verner said that he was greatly honoured to be hosting the celebrations that day.

He said: “My father grandfather and in fact I might say my great-grandfather had been members of the Grand Orange Institution.”

He added that he would “value himself lightly indeed” of he did not attempt, “at all events” to follow in their footsteps.

He concluded that it was not in the province of a chairman to make a long speech, he would detain them no longer and called upon Mr Richard Lilburn, the editor of the Belfast News Letter, to address them.

Brother Lilburn was “received with great enthusiasm and three cheers for the News Letter and for Mr James Alexander Henderson [the proprietor of the newspaper]”.

Mr Lilburn thanked Sir William for his kind words for the newspaper and its owner, he reminded those gathered that grandson of the great Colonel Sir William Verner who had been a personal friend of Mr Henderson’s father; the elder Mr Henderson had for many years co-operated with Colonel Sir William Verner and the gentry and people of Armagh in promoting the principles of Conservatism.

Bro Lilburn then turned his attention to the first resolution which he said he had the honour of proposing.

He said: “It declares the necessity of Orangeism in Ireland and pledges us anew to its loyal principles.” He continued: “When one finds himself commemorating this glorious anniversary at Churchill, he feels that he is on Orange classic ground.

“When one has the privilege of addressing any assembly of Armagh Orangemen, especially an assembly like the present, composed of Orangemen from the Diamond, after whose celebrated fight the present organisation was founded; of Orangemen from Loughgall, in which the first Orange Lodge held its sittings; of Orangemen from the Dyan, whose number is the first in the institution; and of Orangemen from Killymann, whose heroes stood by the great Colonel Verner in many a severely-contested election I say, when one is privileged to address such an assembly, it is almost unnecessary to speak of Orangeism at all; of its existence in Ireland being still a necessity; and of the duty of re-pledging ourselves to stand by its principles.”

The News Letter’s editor added: “Here we are at the source of Orangeism; and here we expect to find it in its purity, and [we] are not disappointed. Like that great river which after traversing thousands of miles, refreshing many lands, ministering to the comforts of all, and contributing to fields and flocks and herds returns to the spot whence it sprang and receives fresh vigour, so this Orangeism of ours, born amid the din of battle, cradled, fostered, and matured in this very locality, has expanded from a small source into a great, broad, mighty stream, which has found its way throughout the United Kingdom and throughout nearly every dependency of the United Kingdom, and after conferring its benefits on many States and many peoples comes back to the Diamond, is refreshed at the Diamond, and passes on from the Diamond filtered again, and renewed in strength, and beauty, and purity.”

Bro Lilburn concluded: “We need this Orangeism in Ireland today as much as ever it was needed, as much as it was needed in the year 1795, when the conspiracies of the United Irishmen and the Defenders had overspread the island, and made no secret that their object was adverse to Protestantism and government which then obtained in Ireland.

“Yes, we need it more than ever it was needed; for the principle antagonists to Protestantism and British Government are more audacious and more exacting than ever they were; so that Orangeism, a purely defensive, a thoroughly loyal organisation, is a necessity indeed to counteract the destructive influence of the enemies of the British constitution.”