In a few days time, Orangemen throughout Northern Ireland
will be celebrating the 312th anniversary of the Battle of
the Boyne and no doubt the event will be marked by huge parades
throughout all parts of the Province.
In spite of the terrorism on a huge scale carried out against
Northern Ireland by its traditional republican enemies, and
the immense suffering of so many innocent people, combined
with the biggest mass movement of people in Western Europe
since the Second World War, the Province remains bloody but
unbowed.
It has not yielded to the brute force of an evil organisation
and its loyal people remain as committed as ever to maintaining
the right of Northern Ireland to remain free and separate
from a united Ireland in which the rights and the freedoms
of Protestants would be placed in great jeopardy.
The Orange Order, like everyone else, has been affected by
the Troubles and it would be foolish to contend otherwise.
Many brethren have been murdered, a high proportion serving
with the security forces, and an even larger number have been
injured. Others have lost their homes and been forced to move
elsewhere.
But they have earned the admiration of all fair and right-thinking
people for their courage and refusal to surrender to a vicious
and ruthless enemy which has not hesitated to kill innocent
men, women and children in pursuit of its aims.
The Orange Order remains one of the largest organisations
in these islands, and its huge membership has the support
and confidence of the Protestant and Unionist population at
large. Mindful of its responsibilities, the Order has always
sought to give constructive leadership and that remains the
case.
In this connection we would urge brethren to be on their
guard and not be provoked by republican or nationalist agitators,
and to use their influence to persuade other loyalists who
might be similarly provoked. There is evidence that the recent
troubles in East Belfast were provoked and started by republicans
who then stood back and enjoyed the spectacle of some loyalists
in conflict with the police.
That sort of scenario must be avoided at all costs, and loyalists
must beware of falling into any traps set for them. At the
same time the Police and security forces must be allowed to
act firmly and resolutely with any attempt by republicans
to disrupt or attack parades.
These are dangerous times and things are tense in Northern
Ireland, but if everyone remains firm and disciplined, and
the authorities get their act together, then there is no reason
why the great event cannot be celebrated in fitting style.
The pre-Twelfth parades in Belfast and other centres will
no doubt attract very large numbers, and once again our appeal
to brethren and supporters is to remain disciplined and to
set an example to everyone by good conduct.
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