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8 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2007 Best Price, Best Service Since 1972 FAX: 519-853-1559 379 Queen St., Acton ON L7J 2N2 519-853-1553 1-888-833-8953 ???????? ???? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ???????????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???? ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????????? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????? ?????? ???? ??????????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ????????????? ???????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????? ????????????????? ????????????????? ?????????????????????? ?????????????????????????? ??????????????????????? ?????????????? ????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????? ?????????????????? ????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????? ???????????????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????? ?????????????????? ????????????????? ??????????????????????? ????????????????????????? ?????????????????? ????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????? ???????????????? ?????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????? ?? ?????????????????? ?????????? ? 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Its July 12 today had how things have changed, At one time the fifes and drums of the Orange Lodge would have been promi- nent throughout most of Canada. As few as 40 years ago the Glorious Twelfth would have been celebrated in Acton as Orangemen com- memorated the Battle of the Boyne a conflict between the Catholic King James II and Protestant William of Orange, who came to displace James at the re- quest of Protestant parties in England, unhappy with a Catholic king. The battle was fought on July 12, 1690 (July 1 in the old calendar) in Ireland, The Dutch King won with the help of 10,000 of his countrymen pressed into service with the hope of fiscal rewards. Jamess army, meanwhile had the support of the bulk of the Irish people but consisted of troops he had raised in Spain and France, where many Irish had fled to escape Englands rule. It is ironic perhaps that both armies contained both Protestant and Catholic soldiers. Much has been written about the results of the battle being the start of the democratic movement in England but it was well into the 19th century before the Irish regained some of their freedoms with the introduc- tion of home rule. Out of all this conflict, fueled by both the religious animosities of the time and political intrigue, came the Loyal Orange Lodge fully dedicated to keeping Ireland British. The first Orange Lodge was established in the north of Ireland in 1795, 105 years after the Battle of the Boyne when the Catho- lics of Ireland were staging another rebellion to break British rule. It is noteworthy that the lodges were mainly a fea- ture of northern Ireland (Ulster) where Scottish settlers were brought in to replace the Irish Catholics driven out of their estates by the English. These settlers and their progeny, alarmed at the native Irish peoples yearn for an independent Ire- land (called Scots-Irish when they immigrated to the United States) formed Oranges Lodges calling for a United Ireland under British rule. Mainly hard- working, honest yeomen, they mane Ulster in to a prosperous county with the help of British money and hard labour. When the Irish started immigrating to Canada and the U.S. it wasnt long be- fore Orange Lodges were formed. Most historians agree the Orangemen were in Canada previous to 1812 and by 1822 the 12th of July Orange Parade had become the most popular event of the day. Acton was often the ven- ue for the big parade with their enormous drums and banners and always featur- ing King Billy astride his white chargers and plenty of banners leading the fife and drums and accordion bands. It was an impressive sight enjoyed by most Actonians, even those vigorously op- posed the Orange creed. Popular place Actons Early Days says No place in the country was more popular as a centre for spending the Glorious Twelfth than Acton, and nearly every year there was an Orange Demonstration. The dining room of the tavern (Bells Hotel now the Mill St. Crossing) was entirely inadequate for the crowds of visitors, so a temporary dining room was set up to go behind the hotel to accommodate the crowds. Again Actons Ear- ly Days records that it as the pride of proprietor William Bell to have new potatoes and green pees galore as the leading vegetables at his Orange dinner. When was the Acton Lodge formed? No one seems to know The Acton Free Press from 1875 re- cords that Acton was among Lodges from Hamilton, Brantford, Georgetown, Elora Fergus and others joining the Orange celebra- tions in Guelph on July 12. Special trains were put on to bring Orangemen to Guelph for a fare and one-third. Many will recall the parades in Acton when no- nagenarian Charles Kelly Brown, know affectionately as C.K. was the honoured Orange member in an open convertible sat on of the last parades in Acton. Longtime friend of the Catholic pastor, Rev. V.J. Morgan, C.K. had spent a lifetime in the lodge, His store, where the Acton dollar store is located, was a popular Orange meeting place. The Orange Order played a prominent part if the his- tory of Ontario. It was probably the chief social institute in in Upper Canada (now Ontario) and orga- nized many community and benevolent activities It also was a predominate political force in Ontario until well into the 20th Century. It played a prominent role in the crisis over the 1885 trial of Louis Riel for Treason. Canadian Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald, an Orangeman, is said to have refused to commute Riels death sentence because he calculated there were more Orange votes to be got by hanging Riel than Quebec votes for sparing him. The Orange Order was a central fact of political life in the this province, especially in Toronto where many deals and bonds were forged at Lodges, denying Catholics any large part in the workings of the econ- omy, The lodge faded in importance as the years went by and by 1960 had lost most of its prestige. The Acton Lodge just seems to fade away after over a hundred years of existence but many of us will recall those Orange Parades with their Union Jacks, the many bands and tremendous enthusiasm for keeping Canada British. The last vestige of the Order in this area was the small frame Orange Lodge in Crewsons Corners which has succumbed to the ravag- es of timeHowever there are other parts of Ontario where the Orange Order is still active. -Hartley Coles. A look back Today is the Glorious Twelfth but most of its lustre is lost HARE TODAY ...GONE TOMORROW! Hop to it & sell that old hutch in the Classifieds. 15 words for only $8.00 Each additional word 30 Call 519-853-0051 The New Tanner 373 Queen St. E Acton thenewtanner@on.aibn.com William Prince of Orange