The News Letter, Belfast's unionist morning newspaper, yesterday criticised Orange Order critics of the Northern Ireland Agreement in advance of the Grand Lodge meeting.
"If a minority is allowed to wreck the prospects for reconciliation between the two traditions, what sad legacy will be left for the children of today's Orange Order members?" a closely argued leading article asked.
The text of the "Morning View" column, headed "Agreement must be given chance", is:
The Grand Lodge of Ireland is holding one of the most important meetings in its history today. High on the agenda will be unionist support for the agreement, and discussion will inevitably centre on David Trimble's leadership.
Extremists in the order are determined to force delegates to make a stark choice which amounts to either supporting the controversial Spirit of Drumcree group's call for Mr Trimble's head, or pledging their support for what senior Orangeman David McNarry describes as a new opportunity for Northern Ireland.
They hope to turn the meeting into a vote of no confidence in Mr Trimble's leadership by capitalising on unionist anxieties about the agreement, even though most members have yet to read the full document.
It would be a tragedy if they were allowed to succeed. A tragedy for the decent people of Northern Ireland, who hunger for a chance to rebuild this divided society, and a tragedy for the Orange Order itself.
Against all expectations, the Orange Order demonstrated admirable leadership last summer when hard decisions were taken to avoid situations which could have placed innocent lives in jeopardy and left the province reeling from civil strife.
Today those same qualities must become evident. For nothing will be gained by putting the boot into an agreement which, while imperfect in many ways, seeks in the area of human rights to underpin the right to freedom and expression of religion, and calls on the Eire government to take steps to demonstrate its respect for the Protestant tradition.
These are statements which the Orange Order should be welcoming if it wants to contribute to an atmosphere in which its culture and tradition can be enjoyed by all, both in this generation and the next.
This newspaper fundamentally supports the rights of Orangemen to demonstrate peacefully in their traditional manner. But if a minority is allowed to wreck the prospects for reconciliation between the two traditions, what sad legacy will be left for the children of today's Orange Order members?
One in which Orange Order parades take place in a climate of fear and uncertainty, instead of in a spirit of celebration and goodwill.
It is unlikely that Mr Trimble will receive a resounding endorsement today, nor does he expect one, not least because the Grand Lodge has always been opposed to any discussions which involved Sinn Fein, and is therefore unlikely to overwhelmingly support the outcome of those negotiations.
But as the Orange Order's chief executive, George Patton, says in the News Letter this morning, it is the responsibility of every member to study the document in its entirety and think it through carefully before passing judgment.
They should not be swayed either by redundant groups with an axe to grind, or individuals with ulterior motives.
There must be a positive outcome from today's discussions, one which will reflect the Orange Order's own creed of civil and religious liberty for all.
Those at the head of the organisation must ensure that the right messages are sent out to its rank-and-file members. With the marching season not many weeks away, it would be a shame if traditional parades were allowed to become the focus for political opposition to the agreement.
While today's discussions will provide an important indicator of thinking among the loyal orders, Saturday's Ulster Unionist Council meeting is a much more important event for the UUP leader. Grand Lodge delegates will make up less than 10 per cent of the 900 members entitled to vote. Mr Trimble needs to carry the day.
While there are many aspects of the agreement which, quite understandably, are causing grave anxieties, many people within unionism are beginning to realise that a vibrant new Ulster, secure within the Union unless its people decide otherwise, can emerge from the complexities of recent developments.
Published by permission of the editor of the News Letter, Mr Geoff Martin.