RELIGIOUS ANIMOSITIES IN IRELAND.
[ ro THE EDITOR ON THE "SPECTATOR.."] SIR,—Do English statesmen, like Lord Rosebery and Mr. Bryce, thoroughly understand that their Home-rule policy is, stirring up bitter religious animosity in Ireland ; and, if they do, are they really prepared to take the responsibility of put- ting thousands of men and women of their own faith under the heel of a hostile Church Let there be no mistake about it. In Ireland, both sides quite well understand that we are now engaged in a war of creeds. A war, but on unequal terms as to its possible issue. If we win, we shall simply be, as at present, on a footing of bare equality of rights with the majority ; if they win, it will be va3 victis. This aspect of the matter has vividly come before me during the last few days. I live in a country district of Ireland where the Land League was very powerful. Many Protestants belonged to it. Many of them speak bitterly of their landlords, and would gladly work with the Roman Catholic tenants in beating down rent, or securing easy terms of purchase. But a// have signed the petition against Home-rule. The Presbyterian minister, son of a farmer, the Protestant secretary of a branch of the Land League, the fierce denouncers of absentees, all feel that Home- rule would be the rule of Maynooth ; and I state it as my deliberate conviction that many of them are prepared to lay down their lives rather than be ruled by Archbishop Walsh and Mr. Timothy Healy.—I am, Sir, &c., AN ELECTOR OF DUBLIN UNIVERSITY.
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