THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: 'We are quite able to look after ourselves,' warns Orange preacher

On this day in 1892 the News Letter reported: “This evening at five the Altanaveigh Memorial Orange Hall, erected in memory of the great meeting held in the demesne of Mr Henry Thomson, JP, Altnaveigh, in the year 1884, when over 40,000 Orangemen assembled on the 12th July that year, was opened."

The paper’s report continued: “There was a very large attendance of brethren from Bessbrook, Divernagh, Mullaglass, Millvale, Searce, Crieve and Newry. There were also four bands in attendance, and several stand of colour."

Those wishing to witness the official opening of the hall gathered in a field opposite and heard the Rev A Lockett-Ford, AM, rector of Bessbrook, offer a prayer before declaring the hall open.

Mr Ford then addressed the Orangemen “at length” and referred to the events of the general election which had just past.

He said that although they [the Orangemen] had been beaten in the borough of Newry and South Armagh and in South Down they were not disheartened.

He said: “Mr Gladstone has a small majority, but what is it composed off? Parnellites and McCarthyites, who are ready to demolish each other at any moment.”

He added: “Mr Gladstone says that we (the Unionists of Ireland) need have no fear of Home Rule as we will be protected”

But the Rev Lockett-Ford went on to reply to Gladstone: “But we are quite able to look after ourselves if the occasion arises.”