THE TWELTH OF JULY IN CANADA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2355, 4 October 1880, Page 4

THE TWELTH OF JULY IN CANADA.

Tlie tweltli of July was celebrated this y t . ar w itb great e(dat by the Orangemen of Canada. At Hamilton the anniversary was in every respect a magnificent reunion of those who cherish the'memories of IG9O. At an early hour of the morning tbe shrill music of the life and drum bands heralded the approach of city lodges en route to their rooms for the purpose of renewing the “ annual” and preparing for the reception of the.visiting brethren, who were expected to arrive in thousands by the early trains reaching tbe city. The discharge of artillery and small arms also reminded the citizens that the day had arrived when oldtime memories were to be revived by one of the grandest Orange reunions with which Hamilton had ever been honoured. Flags, banners, and bunting were thrown upon the morning breeze in great profusion ; the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes being run up side by side with the costly Orange banners, of which several of the lodges of Hamilton feel justly proud. The morning was yet young when the streets were alive with pedestrians of ages and sexes, w r ho vied with each other in their desire to display little devices of their admiration of the principles which were to be honoured by the approaching celebration. About noon two lodges of Orangemen of the United Orange Association arrived from Buffalo, having left that city at 8.-10 a.m. They brought with them their flags and banners, and as might bo expected, as they marched through the streets of the city they were greeted with hearty cheers. The special train arrived from the south at 10.20, comprising IG coaches, and carrying about I,GOO Orangemen and Young Britons from Haldimaud and Norfolk. Thcy r brought with them the Mohawk brass band from the Grand Itivcr and the Dnnvillc brass band. As soon as the brethern alighted from the cars they formed in line of procession, and lost no time in proceeding along Main street, headed by the True Blues and their band, to await the next train. A special train from the north arrived about eleven o’clock, bringing Orangemen and their friends from all points on the road between Barrie and Burlington. The train consisted of seventeen coaches, and it was estimated that the number carried must have been 1,100. The Milton brass band accompanied this parly and enlivened the journey by playing a number of lively Orange and other such patriotic airs. Four special trains came in from Toronto before one o’clock, canying 8,500 persons ; and one came from Suspension Bridge and St. Catharine’s carrying 1500 persons ; another from London and intermediate parts conveyed 1,200; one from Guelph bad GOO; and one from Brantford conveyed 400 excursionists, thus making a total, by train alone, of over 7,200 persons. In addition to this it may be safely computed that steamers added as their ipmla a couple of thousand persons ; and to swell the number of those alluded to, some thousand persons came in from the adjoining country by vehicle. So that from a rough estimate it may be safely assumed that over lifteen thousand visited Hamilton.

At Montreal the day was made conspicious by a somewhat sorrowful ceremony —the burial of Hackett, a member of the Orange Order, who was murdered as he was returning from Church on July 12, 1877. A largo number of lodges were represented by tbe mourners, and many ladies were present. Shortly before 9 o’clock, they formed in line,and headed by Br. Hamilton, withdrawn swords,proceeded to the vault, where they opened ranks. The shell containing the body was brought forth, and the covering having been removed, the assembled brethren were soon gazing upon all that remained of poor Jiackctt’s features. The head was encircled by clusters of dark wavy hair, and was turned to one side. The flesh had fallen away from the face, and the skin was dark, and the eyes closed. The remains were not so far gone in corruption as one would expect a body to be that has been entombed for three years. A few moments way spent in silently contemplating the body and then the lid was dosed. Six Orangemen then raised the body and conveyed it slowly to the grave, followed by the silent mourners, whose looks plainly betokened their feelings of sadness. The little group gathered about (be grave after the coffin was lowered to its iinal home, and the C.M., Bro. David Grant, said that it was not necessary to have any funeral service, as that took place before. They all we-c aware bow their brother hail been foully murdered when returning from dmrcli, and of the numbers that bad attended bis funeral. Nothing further remained for him to say, except to thank them for their presence, and to hope that no such occasion would ever call them together again. The coflin having having been covered, the grave was quick-y sodded, and a bunch of Orange Jillies was placed at a point on the grave over the breast of the deceased.