The Covenant itself, it will be remembered, pledges the signatories,
as was done in the Scottish Covenant, to stand by one another. The signatories will take all possible means to prevent the passing of Home Rule, and will refuse to recognize it if it is passed. A complete organization has been created for the distribution and signing of the Covenant, Each person who signs will receive a specially printed copy to keep as an heirloom. The meeting at Portadown on Wednesday was unlike all the others in the character of the procession. Everything was managed in military fashion. The demon- strators carried dummy muskets, there was dummy artillery, and Sir Edward Carson received military salutes. This kind of thing, while it appeals to a strong native liking for things extravagant or histrionic, of course gives the supporters of Home Rule plenty of easy openings for satire. But we would say On this subject that the Government will make the greatest mistake of their life if they think that because they are able to laugh at some external childish forms in the Ulster demonstrations, the determination of North-East Ulster not to come under a Dublin Parliament may be ignored. It is a deep and honest and brave determination, and if the Government act as though it did not exist they are preparing to write a disastrous page in the history of the Empire.
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