Orangefest’s family fun dissolved into political Orange fury as demonstration speakers blasted homosexuals, the Irish language and even called for volunteers to execute criminals using the electric chair, Political Journalist JOHN COULTER reports.
Fry criminals in the electric chair – that was the message the Orange Order sent out from its new look family friendly weekend Orangefest.
Moves by the Order to develop a cultural event enjoyed by everyone seem to have been dampened by a number of hard-hitting platform speeches from top Orangemen.
The most extreme came from the Order’s Grand Master Bobby Saulters speaking at the Dromara demonstration.
He called for the return of hanging and the electric chair.
And in a more sinister note, the current Orange supremo suggested there would be plenty of volunteers to act as executioners.
He said: ‘Law and order within the United Kingdom would seem to be non-existent, and until there is a stronger deterrent put in place murders will continue.
‘They have become more horrendous. The murderers who would pour petrol down a young man’s throat and set him alight do not deserve to live themselves.
‘It is time to bring back hanging or the electric chair for murder and the cat of nine tails for those carrying weapons, whether they are guns or knives.
‘The days of pussy footing are over and if the MPs do not think there would be anyone in the community willing to carry out these punishments, I am sure there would be plenty of volunteers who would do the job gladly.’
Homosexuality faced the wrath of Saulter’s predecessor as Irish Grand Master, Rev Martin Smyth, a former Ulster Unionist MP and Presbyterian minister, addressing the Maghera demonstration.
He said: ‘We are increasingly aware of the pressures of a secular society here and the growth of militant Islamism and other forces.
‘This has been evident in changing our legislation based on God’s Word and the clamour of the so-called gay lobby with its virulent attack on any who say the practice is wrong.
‘One should allow any person or pressure group to con them into practising any acts forbidden by God on the specious grounds that it is their nature.
‘Paul underscored this in his letter to the church in Corinth.
‘Listing sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexual offenders, thieves, greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers, he wrote that such will not inherit the kingdom of God.’
In spite of the Orange trying to remodel itself as a purely religious organization, some tough political statements were the order of the day.
The Order’s deputy grand master Edward Stevenson, speaking at the Benburb demonstration, said: ‘We are neither bigots nor extremists’ and stressed the Order stood ‘for tolerance and compassion towards all.’
Unionist unity was the key theme in Stevenson’s speech, warning: ‘I would urge our unionist politicians to work more closely together in the future and stand together instead of all the arguing and bickering that goes on between unionists of all persuasions while Sinn Fein press on towards their goal of a United Ireland.’
And Strangford Ulster Unionist Assembly member and Assistant Grand Master unleashed tough words against the Irish Language in his address in the north Antrim village of Broughshane.
He said: ‘So long as there is an army council then so long will there be an uneasy peace.
‘By maintaining the veiled threat of the Army Council, Republicans intimidate the political process in Northern Ireland by administering a political threat – a subtle threat which operates daily in the Assembly.
‘Show me the difference between Direct Rule and Provo policies at Stormont.
‘Whilst recognising these genuine threats to our values the most repulsive and dangerous manifestation of provisionalism is coming from the intended application of cultural apartheid.
‘Using the intensity of an Irish language onslaught to strangle our sense of Britishness.
‘Had Direct Rule continued, we would today be reeling from the effects of their weakness.
‘Make no mistake they would have allowed an Irish Language Act to run rampant throughout our Country.
‘The use of the Irish language may well become a dominant feature in job applications to the disadvantage of English only speaking people.
‘If left uncountered the Irish Language issue will plague Northern Ireland in the same way the reckless chase for Irish unity by the provos has resulted in sectarianism, bitter division, and violent conflict,’ said McNarry.
Dromore solicitor Drew Nelson, the Order’s Grand Secretary, speaking at the largest of the North’s eighteen July 12 demonstrations launched a bitter personal attack on Irish President Mary McAleese.
This was in spite of the Dail giving substantial cash aid to the Order to develop its organization in the Southern border counties.
Nelson said: ‘The President of the Irish Republic – who continually and offensively describes herself as the President of Ireland – seems to see herself as having equal status with the Queen in Northern Ireland.’
And at the Ballyclare demo, Co Antrim, Grand Secretary William Thompson blasted those trying to remove British symbolism in the North.
He said: ‘Recently it appears that a concerted effort is being made to remove the symbols of Britishness from areas of public life in Northern Ireland.
‘We are totally opposed to these attempts to airbrush our British history, culture and identity from the public face of Northern Ireland.
‘When individuals, groups or agencies attack the symbols and the outworkings of Britishness in Northern Ireland they must realise that they are attacking the identity of an entire people.’
And one key note speaker, David Hume, the Order’s Director of Services and the brains behind the Orange superhero Diamond Dan, said it may be time for Britain to pull its troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
He said: ‘The government, if it is serious about Britishness, needs to address these questions.
‘If it is not serious and is only paying lip service to the idea, we need to ask whether it is appropriate any longer to send our young women and men to Iraq and Afghanistan to put their lives on the line?
‘If we are embarrassed to be British, than let’s be open and honest and let’s bring them home.
‘And then let’s hang our heads in shame – for if we lose the will to show our colours as a nation, then we don’t deserve to be a nation.’
