Ulster Defence Union
Encyclopedia
The Ulster Defence Union was a Unionist organization formed in 1893 to oppose the Irish Home Rule movement
, following a rally at the Ulster Hall
, Belfast
. Its principal aim was to resist the Second Home Rule Bill
of 1893.
The UDU was launched by the publication of a manifesto on 17 March 1893, the signatories of which included Colonel Edward Saunderson, MP
. Shortly after its creation, it adopted the motto Quis Separabit? (Who shall Separate?) The structure of the new Union was set out in a "Plan of Organisation" which was signed by Daniel Dixon
, Lord Mayor of Belfast
and President of the Provisional Committee.
On 1 September 1893, the Second Home Rule Bill was passed by the House of Commons by 347 votes to 304, but when it came to the House of Lords
it was heavily defeated, by 419 votes to only 41. By October 1893, the UDU had a Central Assembly described as comprising six hundred gentlemen, which first met on 24 October 1893, from among whom an executive committee of forty was elected. This committee also included, ex officio, the Ulster Unionist members of both houses of parliament
. In October, 1893, at an Ulster Defence Union meeting in Belfast, Saunderson said, celebrating the scale of opposition in the Lords
Eventually, in 1905, the organization took part in the formation of the Ulster Unionist Council, which was a precursor of the Ulster Unionist Party
.
Irish Home Rule Movement
The Irish Home Rule Movement articulated a longstanding Irish desire for the repeal of the Act of Union of 1800 by a demand for self-government within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The movement drew upon a legacy of patriotic thought that dated back at least to the late 17th...
, following a rally at the Ulster Hall
Ulster Hall
The Ulster Hall is a concert hall and grade B1 listed building in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Situated on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre, the hall hosts concerts, classical recitals, craft fairs and political party conferences...
, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. Its principal aim was to resist the Second Home Rule Bill
Irish Government Bill 1893
The Government of Ireland Bill 1893 was the second attempt made by William Ewart Gladstone, as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, to enact a system of home rule for Ireland...
of 1893.
The UDU was launched by the publication of a manifesto on 17 March 1893, the signatories of which included Colonel Edward Saunderson, MP
Edward James Saunderson
Edward James Saunderson PC, JP, DL was an Irish unionist politician.He was born at Castle Saunderson, County Cavan. He was the son of Colonel Alexander Saunderson, Member of Parliament for Cavan , his mother being a daughter of the 6th Baron Farnham...
. Shortly after its creation, it adopted the motto Quis Separabit? (Who shall Separate?) The structure of the new Union was set out in a "Plan of Organisation" which was signed by Daniel Dixon
Sir Daniel Dixon, 1st Baronet
Sir Daniel Dixon, 1st Baronet PC was an Irish politician.Dixon was the son of Thomas Dixon of Larne, County Antrim. He served as Mayor of Belfast in 1892 and as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1893 and from 1901 to 1903 and from 1905 to 1906. In 1902 he was created a Baronet, of Ballymenock in the County...
, Lord Mayor of Belfast
Lord Mayor of Belfast
The Lord Mayor of Belfast is the leader and chairman of Belfast City Council, elected annually from and by the City's 51 councillors.The Lord Mayor is Niall Ó Donnghaile of Sinn Féin, while the Deputy Lord Mayor is Ruth Patterson of the Democratic Unionist Party, who were elected in May 2011.The...
and President of the Provisional Committee.
On 1 September 1893, the Second Home Rule Bill was passed by the House of Commons by 347 votes to 304, but when it came to the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
it was heavily defeated, by 419 votes to only 41. By October 1893, the UDU had a Central Assembly described as comprising six hundred gentlemen, which first met on 24 October 1893, from among whom an executive committee of forty was elected. This committee also included, ex officio, the Ulster Unionist members of both houses of parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
. In October, 1893, at an Ulster Defence Union meeting in Belfast, Saunderson said, celebrating the scale of opposition in the Lords
Eventually, in 1905, the organization took part in the formation of the Ulster Unionist Council, which was a precursor of the Ulster Unionist Party
Ulster Unionist Party
The Ulster Unionist Party – sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or, in a historic sense, simply the Unionist Party – is the more moderate of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland...
.