THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Orangemen must rally to the old flag of truth and liberty

The following address by Arthur Hill of Hillsborough to the Orangemen of Co Down was published in the News Letter on this day in 1881.

It read as follows: “Brethern – At a crisis of the gravest importance the Grand Orange Lodge of Down has honoured me by electing me Grand Master. You and I, at such a time, cannot hesitate to re-assert those principles which the Orange institution maintains, and which are the safety and glory of the empire.”

Mr Hill’s address continued: “Treason, too long tolerated at home, has shaken to its centre the social system. Crafty consipirators, with plausible pretences, have created distrust and disturbances throughout Ireland; murder and outrage have prevailed; and law and order ceased to exist in the greater part of this unhappy land. Government, either credulous or conniving, has abandoned its functions, and avowed enemies of the State alone have their decrees executed and their behests obeyed.”

He warned: “Orangemen will not be cajoled, and cannot be coerced, into the adoption of principles alien and atheistic. The destruction of Protestantism in Ireland, and of Britain as a great Protestant power, is the real motive of the men behind the scenes, aided, as they unhappily are, by the present rulers of England’s fortunes.”

Mr Hill concluded: “Be ready, therefore, with calm courage, to rally round the old flag of truth and liberty. The banner of freedom, dearly bought, you never will surrender.”