In truth the men of North-East Ulster, instead of refusing
to make a sacrifice, have already sacrificed themselves. In the first place they have consented, though with sad hearts, to give up their full place in the United Kingdom and in the Parliament at Westminster. Next the Ulstermen who live outside the Six County Area have nobly consented to the Ulster Province being divided. Finally, though again with sad hearts, they are consenting to the cumbrous and paradoxical machinery of the Bill which the Government has presented to them. And then we are told that the Ulstermen are criminally selfish. But this even is not enough. The enemies of England, of the Empire, and also in reality of Ireland, single out Sir Edward Carson for special abuse. That is detestable. We are not going to waste time defending a man who needs no defence, but we must here register our opinion that no man in our public life can show a higher record of statesmanship than he. There has been nothing petty or mean or personal in his conduct. His fearlessness in face of Press attacks and his total absence of self-advertisement alone single him out as worthy of our admiration and respect.
