Orange Celebration.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3602, 13 July 1880, Page 2

Orange Celebration.

A soiree and concert of a most agreeable character took place last night in the Academy of Music. Captain Farrell, Deputy Grand Master, in a few appropriate words introduced the Her. T. W. Dunn (Grand Chaplain) to the audience as their Chairman.

The Chairman, in ah excellent speech, maintained, that Orangism was a most useful preventive of -Ritualism. The battle of the Boyne laid the foundation of the civil and religious liberty of the British Empire, and the Orange societies maintained its integrity. Had it not been for such an institution, Ritualism would now have been rampant in Ireland, and he asked why did not the Government of England now recognise it as they did years ago, as Governments might change, but the principles of the Orange Order, never would. They would remain the same for ever Some people; asserted that the Order was a secret one. " He granted that, but their principles were not secret, and they were not ashamed to explain them to any one. They were not the only secret society; the Masons, Oddfellows, Templars, &c. were all secret societies, but like those institutions .their principles were pure and noble. The grand object of Orangism was to maintain civil and religious liberty, and any one raising their voice against those things would immediately see that Orangemen supported those things to which they were pledged. Scotland had received the name from Ireland, so people need not be at all ashamed of calling Ireland their birth place. Irishmen had been foremost in all the great battles in which England was involved, and they bad given to Scotland the Church creed to which they adhered. The rev. speaker concluded by imploring all to aid in the great causeopposing the spread of Popery. A choir of ladies and gentlemen sang Bimbault's arrangement of the Gipsy Chorus from Weber's Preciosa with words adapted to the same, " The soft winds around us are blowing," and rendered it in good style. Mrs Ma/ gave j " Jessie's Dream," the well known piece in celebration of the quelling of the > Indian Mutiny. This was encored, and in response Mrs May gave, " Time may steal the roses, darling." Mr L. W. Parsons sang a selection from Gilbert and. Sullivan's " Sorcerer," entitled, "My name is John Wellington Wells," and feeing re flailed gave a repetition of the second verse.

The Rev. S. J. Neill was the next speaker. He referred to the heroism of the Orangemen engaged in the seige of Derry, and went on to say that many Derry men participated in the battle of the Boyne. Inuiskillen saved Derry and Derry save%lreland, showing what a small town had done for the good pf the kingdom. Protestants priced liberty, and as long as the world lasted they would maintain their rights. Civil liberty hail reference to the affairs of the State, and It It|d been the cause of a gread deal of contention among the nations of the world. Under the name of liberty a good deal of,

harm could be .done.- It was under that head that th/ Kelly gang perpetrated their dreadful crimes. For liberty the Protestants had always striven, and would continue to do so until the last day. With regard to religious liberty, it never interfered with other things. They should have religious liberty in order that they might hare civil liberty. ,

Miss Cleave sang " Oh, Ye Tears," and although nervous she was loudly applauded. A duett by Messrs <B as sett and Probert "Larboard Watch" was well received.

The Keys W. J. Watkin and T. W. Adamson addressed the meeting, the the former's speech being noticeable from the vein of humour which ran through it. The other items on the programme were—"Take back the heart," Miss Gribble; "Thy voice is near," Mr Hassett; "Convent Bells " (duett), Miss Ferguson and Mrs May; "The Vicar of Bray," Mr W. Gribble' which all received a meed of praise. A vote of thanks was accorded the ladies who had presided at the tables, and the choir, on the motions of Messrs Scott and Hassett, who, in fitting terms referred to the praiseworthy efforts of the ladies.

After singing the National Anthem, the room was cleared and the votaries of Terpsichore indulged theft weakness " on the light fantastic ".until the " wee sina' 'ours ayont the twal. Altogether a most enjoyable evening was spent.