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The Orange Order in Newfoundland in the Twentieth Century

This research explores the history and patterns of the Orange Order in Newfoundland during the 20th century, comparing its membership data with census and electoral information. It also analyzes the factors that contribute to the strength of Orangeism in different jurisdictions.

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The Orange Order in Newfoundland in the Twentieth Century

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  1. The Orange Order in Newfoundland in the Twentieth Century A Comparative Perspective

  2. Lord Nelson Loyal Orange Lodge #149 in Woody Point, Bonne Bay, St. Barbe

  3. The Orange Order • Formed 1795 in Northern Ireland • Stands for loyalty to British Crown & Protestantism • Rapid spread internationally • Associative cornerstone of British dominant ethnic groups in Canada, N.I., west-central Scotland

  4. Research Strategy • Based on Previously Restricted Membership Data • Previous research has only tracked the number of lodges • Membership data highlights different patterns, contrasts with census and electoral data • I will look at patterns of membership over time and place • Also qualitative data from lodge rolls and internal Orange reports of proceedings and minute books

  5. International Orange Strength • Newfoundland the strongest Orange jurisdiction, similar to Ulster border counties • Belfast area and Ontario similar • WC Scotland and NW England much weaker

  6. 20th c. International Orange Membership Trends • Explosive growth in the 1900-1920 period in all locales, especially Ontario and Newfoundland • Ontario declines first, 1920 • Newfoundland and Northern Ireland decline after 1960, though faster in NF • Scotland declines from 1982, but from smaller base

  7. Newfoundland Orange Lodges (adjusted by size), 1908

  8. Orange Lodges (adjusted by size) Newfoundland, 1908 & 1961

  9. Explaining Orange Strength • Does the presence of Catholics stimulate membership? • How important are Irish-Protestant immigrants? • Is Orangeism associated with the Anglican (established) Church as opposed to Salvation Army/Pentecostals? • Is Orangeism associated with rural areas?

  10. Male Orange Density, N.I., 1971

  11. N.I. Counties, by Protestant Percentage, 1971

  12. Church of Ireland Protestants, N.I. Counties, 1971

  13. Roman Catholic Percentage, Scottish Counties, 1961

  14. Male Orange Lodges, Southern Ontario, c. 1975

  15. Orange Order Density 1991

  16. Explaining Orange Strength • Does the presence of Catholics stimulate membership? NO • Are Irish-Protestant immigrants important? NO • Is Orangeism associated with the Anglican (established) Church as opposed to Salvation Army/Pentecostals? NO • Is Orangeism associated with rural areas? YES?

  17. Lodge Decline: LOL# 127, Port Leamington, Green Bay • Membership decline: from 44 members 1908, 47 members in 1943, 18 in 1971, defunct thereafter • Average age in 1971: 59 • 8 pensioners of 15 members in 1971

  18. Orange Membership Decline: Francois LOL #207, 1929-78 • 1929: average age of 25, membership 70, nearly all fishermen (95%) • 1952: average age of 36, membership 43, nearly all fishermen (95%) • 1978: average age of 40, membership 20, 65% fishermen, 10% retired, 25% bourgeois and government

  19. 1912-18. Average age: 44 Medical Doctor Manufacturer Merchant Jeweller Dentist Hardware dealer Journalist Manufacturing manager Merchant Merchant Acting judge Merchant Jeweller Accountant Merchant Manager Clerk Manager Tailor Draper 1992 Initiates. Average age: 43.5 Investment officer Police officer Company president Semi-retired Manager Insurance adjuster Investigator Business owner Insurance sales Transport canada Nfld hydro Retired Retired Retired Paramedic Car sales Teacher Masonic Initiates, St. John's, Newfoundland

  20. Francois LOL# 207 (Burgeo& Lapoile), Members, 1928-29 Average age: 24.6 Occupations: 66 Fishermen 2 Teachers 2 Clerks Fortune (Bay), Masonic Lodge, Initiates, 1921 Average age: 30.7 Occupations: 1 seaman 1 master mariner 4 clerks 1 clergyman 1 bank manager 4 Fishermen 1 Farmer Orange vs. Masonic Occupations

  21. Social & Political Influence- Canada • Politically influential by 1867 • Many Tory MPs were members • Involved in most national issues • 1/3 of Ontario legislature was Orange in 1915 • 1/3 of Ontario males were members during 1870-1920 • Hundreds of thousands in the wider Orange fraternity as late as the 1950's

  22. Political Influence in N. Ireland • Helped found Ulster Unionist Party • Guaranteed 15% of seats on Ulster Unionist Council • Virtually all Official Unionist MPs are, and have been, Orange members • Orange Order an influential lobby

  23. Social & Political Influence- Newfoundland • Many Newfoundland Prime Ministers, Premiers and Statesmen were members (Squires, Coaker, Smallwood, etc) • 50% of Protestant members of House of Assembly in 1885 were Orangemen (Senior 1959) • Roughly 20% of the Newfoundland social register were Orangemen, 1927-37

  24. An Order Divided? • How much did the 'Orange vote' count? • January, 1895 debate in Brigus LOL# 59, Conception Bay: • Royal Commission/Crown Colony vs. Confederation • 8 speakers spoke for either side. 'Decision was reached in favour of Royal Commission/ Crown Colony' • Divisions also evident over 1948 Confederation Debate

  25. The 'Orange Letter' Incident • 1948 'Orange Letter' warns of Catholic conspiracy, driven by Catholic paper, 'The Monitor' • Resolution was first proposed by men's and women's lodges in Little Catalina: • 'We..have come to the conclusion that the Roman Catholic Church is endeavouring to dominate Newfoundland. We have reached this conclusion after careful consideration of the results of votes from the various RC settlements during the National Referendum' (1948 report of proceedings)

  26. LOL # 26, Cupids (Conception Bay), 1949 • 1948: 'Bro Butler gave a very interesting address on Confederation with Canada and stated his reasons why he was not in favour [of] Newfoundland joining up with Canada. It was moved and seconded that this lodge tender Bro. Butler a vote of thanks for his able address' • 1949: 'Whereas there was a resolution passed by the Provincial Grand Lodge in session at Grand Falls in July 1948 relative to the attitude of the RC Church towards the Referendum … the funds of the PG lodge were used for printing these unnecessary copies.' • 'We demand an investigation into those who distributed this letter to the general public when it was intended only for Orangemen' • 'We protest against use of Grand Lodge funds for printing unnecessary circulars'

  27. Moderate Orangeism? • Few 20th c references to distribution of government posts or spending, Catholic conspiracies, or major national issues (contrast with other provinces and Britain/Ireland) • Joey Smallwood supports initiatives like Brotherhood Week and Royal Bi & Bi Commission • As Grand Master of Canada in the mid-1960s, George Warren urges an open attitude to immigration and a change in the traditional Orange attitude of being 'agin everything' • Newfoundland Order pushes for annulment of intermarriage ban from 1970s, succeeds in 1990s against Ontario's opposition

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