THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: From the News Letter of January 1921

There was growing pressure on Sir Edward Carson to “give the benefit his valuable services to the Northern Parliament”, reported the News Letter a century ago this week.

During a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ulster Unionist Council it was unanimously decided that a deputation representing the council should proceed to London to meet with Sir Edward Carson to discuss how he could help guide the province in the “situation arising out of the passing of the Government of Ireland Act”.

The News Letter reported that the deputation would proceed to London “at the earliest date convenient to Sir Edward Carson”.

Meanwhile, Lady McCullagh, CBE, speaking a century ago this week at a meeting of the Whitehouse and Whiteabbey branch the East Antrim Women’s Unionist Association had paid tribute to the great services rendered by Sir Edward Carson to the people of Ulster.

She said that “their beloved leader had led us with unparalleled success in the past and nothing should be left undone to persuade him come to our assistance now” in connection with the Northern Parliament

She said: “It is the earnest desire of the loyalists of the north that they will have the advantage of Sir Edward Carson’s services at this important period our history, and we all trusted that he will confer this further favour upon grateful people.”

Lord Primate’s prayer for Ulster

Writing from the The Palace, Armagh, the Lord Primate of All Ireland, the Most Reverend Dr Charles Frederick d’Arcy urged “all Christian people” to be in constant in prayer for the divine guidance.

He wrote: “It is doubtless in the minds of all thoughtful men and women in our province that we should be preparing for the new order of things which he set up under the recent Act the Imperial Parliament.”

He then forwarded a prayer which the News Letter published in full.

It read: “O Almighty God, the Source of all wisdom and strength of them that put their trust in Thee, guide, pray Thee, the minds all who, at this time, are preparing for the future government of our province. Raise up wise and faithful men to serve its Councils, grant to them a true discernment of the needs all its people, right judgment the decision of the difficult questions which will confront them, and power to order and settle all things for Thy glory and the common welfare. Help us all to strive together for the promotion of righteousness within our borders, put far from us division and strife, and grant that Thy kingdom of peace and goodwill may established among us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”