One hundred years ago
A reason why the Government cannot simply treat the Ulster Loyalists as friends and the Nationalists of the South as foes, is to be found in the peculiar character of Ulster loyalty. We do not for a moment question its genuineness all we wish to say is that it is, and always has been, a very self-willed loyal- ty. The Orangeman must be taken on his own terms, or not at all; and a Liberal government is seldom able to take him
n his own terms. Moreover, though he is himself loyal, he is very far from being a cause of loyalty in others. Irish disaf- fection has more than one source, but it is in part the result of a method of government with which the Orangemen have consistently identified themselves. The Liberal theory of ruling Ireland is that, in all points which do not concern the integrity of the Empire or the laws of morality, Ireland should be governed in accordance with the ideas and wishes of the Irish people. . . .The Orange theory substitutes for the ideas and wishes of the Irish people the ideas and wishes of t..h! English people and that section of trishmen which prides itself upon being In agreement with the English people.
Spectator, 19 June 1884
Previous page
