Unfurlin a Banner

by “A.L.F.”

from the Northern Constitution, April 13 1912

Supplied by Charlie Reynolds, Ulster-Scots Researcher

COUNTRY CUTTINS FRAE CULLYBACKEY

Brithers an’ Freens, Seturday, the sixth o’ April, wuz a nicht that ended up a week that wull niver be ended here as lang as Cullybackey is the city on the Maine. Beca’s at the ’oor o’ eicht o’clock Br J. Harkness an’ Br R. Armstrong moved Br W. Carson, J.P., C.W.W., tae the president’s chair, which he filled completely. His fittin’ remarks wur very befittin’ in view o’ the very important occasion, an’ staunch Unionistic assemblege congregated in the beautifu’ Orange hal’ belongin’ tae the brethern o’ 696. The worthy chairman said that there wur juist twa sets of folk in Irelan’, namely, Separatists an’ Unionists. As fur himsef he wuz prepaired, at al’ costs, tae stan’ at the Orangemen’s backs (truly a very wise choice). He then presented Br. S. Haughton wae a hansome keen-edged pocket-knife wae which tae cut the bindin’s that bound the beautiful banner, which turned oot tae be a rael dazzler o’ royal blue silk, very artistically decorated, an’ prominently displayin’ in capital letters o’ goold an’ silver the words ‘Cullybackey Orange and Unionist contingents’

Br. S. Haughton, in a rael, royal speech, declared that he wud dee for the union, an’ that while he had yin puff o’ wun’ he wud leeve for it. I wud juist like tae whusper that the banner is no’ here unknownst tae himsel’. Br. J. Keith, W.D.M, Ahoghill, then proposed a vote of thanks tae the unfurler, which was ably doobled by Br. A.C. Reilly, R.D.C. In fact, he soared sae heich that it wuz as weel thir wur clergymen present. Then Br. S. Saunderson pit his impress on the vote in a legible wye, gien us a sermonette on banners. His exhortation wuz very adaptable, as he inculcated the amount of adhesiveness we should demonstrate towards the Union Jack of old Englan’; in which if he wuz enshawled he disregarded man or mortal, trustin’ that the ornate banner which had been unfurled that nicht wud lead us al’ on tae iverlastin’ victory. Br. S. Haughton suitably acknowledged the compliments, an’ added that it wuz only a pleesure on his pert tae dae what little he cud in the interests of Unionism.

Br. S. W. Haughton, J. P., wha’s noo a past mester in the united cause, in proposin’ an acclamation tae the chairman, declared that his presence proved that he wuz opposed tae Hame Rule tae the en’, nae odds whut that en’ wud mean. He thocht Ulster cudnae think weel o’ folk that crammed compliments doon oor throats that we wudnae swally, nae odds hoo well sugar-coated.

Br. J. Harkness waxed very patriotic in supportin’ the motion, an’ if it wuz possible fur us tae dae whut ha sed oor forefathers did at Enniskillen, Derry, Aughrim, an’ the Boyne, it wud be a great improvement tae the Nationalists sure enough.

Efter a few remarks frae the chairman an’ the completion o’ arrangements for Tuesday’s demonstration, the meetin’ dispersed, each mair determined than iver tae stick tae his gun. I wud nae advise onybody tae come here playin’ on a harp withoot a crown the tune, ‘Irelan’s a nation once again’.

P. S. I hae nae mentioned the wurd applas, fur the meetin wuz al’ applas.

“A.L.F.”