IRISH REFORMS.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SrEcrAToa."1 Sin,—I have read with pain, almost with distrust of the future, your article on "Ireland and the Proposed Reforms." True it is that you advocate that concession of local govern- ment which, from your limited field of view, must needs be the most perilous of experiments. But like a great proportion of the English people, per incuriam probably, and of the Revolu- tionary party from design, no mention is made of Ulster. Yet -Ulster is sound in loyalty and obedience to the Imperial idea to the very core. The Imperial Colony of 1641 has begotten the men of the Imperial Province of 1883. And I speak of what I know, and that you may know it also, I enclose the reports of a land conference of delegates of the Tenant Farmers of Ulster, over which a private gentleman presided, the proceedings being opened by two tenant-farmers. Every Tenant-right Association of Ulster sent its delegates. (There was a meeting of import- ance, just one hundred years ago, by delegation, at Dungannon, with somewhat memorable consequences.) There was neither hint nor prompting from landlord or agent, nor harsh word or rebuke for either ; nay, rather sympathy at the results of the present legislation. The attention given to the speakers was profound, and uninterrupted by cry of wrath or denunciation. The verdict,—that of self-respecting men, after the old Scottish and English fashion, of following natural leaders ; but if these fail, of selecting guides for themselves. There was abundant evilence that the certainty, rather than the precipitancy, of
reforms was desired. Fifty years of political communion with all classes of English and Irish voters—actual and voters ex- pectant—have taught me when men are in earnest. Ulster is in earnest now. Read, and judge. We are determined that within our borders the unclean spirit of Home-rule shall find no abiding-places or rest. But in the three Provinces beyond, the process of conversion to honesty and obedience to law must, needs be protracted.
From Goshen and the flesh-pots of Egypt to the pools of Jordan, the journey required the lapse of forty years and the lives of a generation. A generation of Irish life will barely accomplish the redressing of the scale out of Ulster. Yet men's minds are in preparation for reception of neglected truths. The clod is broken up, and it may be hoped that seed-time is at hand. But there must be neither doubt nor pause in applying . the means of repression of crime. I say repression, and of developing free, honest thought. Yourself have said that a persistent policy of twenty years is required. I agree, out of
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