We have appealed elsewhere to the rank-and-file of the Unionist
Party. to support their leaders loyally, if reluctantly, in assenting to the-experiment of applying the Home Rule Act to Ireland,. not of coureethetatise on. but in spite of, the Sinn Fein rebellion. We are convinced that-the advice we have ventured to offer is. sound, and thateparty loyalty in this case is absolutely synonymous with patriotism; Unionist unity must be preserved in order to win the war. At the same time, we are bound to say for ourselves- that tho task which we have so unwillingly undertaken,-of supporting an enperiment theauccess of which is doubtful in the extreme, and. whieir admittedly involves very great risks, is not rendered easier by such reckhaa -outbursts as that -by Mr. Redmond published. in Thursday's papers. We have, indeed, a right to remind our Liberal allies in the Coalition that if things are now fo go smoothly:they must control their Irish friends and prevent any further verbal outrages of• this kind. They base their case for the experiment on declarations that Mr. Redmond and his followers are reasonable, moderate, tinstworthy, and statesmanlike—men whose only &tire is to prove -their good sense and thein loyalty. If that is so, they should surefr instruct Mr. Redmond how to behave when the most delicate negotiations' are going forward, and when so tremendous a strain is being placed 'upon the Unionist Party.
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