The great Ulster demonstration against Home-rule came off in Belfast
on Tuesday, and was even more successful than had been expected. The people from the surrounding counties had swarmed into the city, and half-a-million of persons were abroad in the streets. From eighty thousand to one hundred and twenty thousand men are believed to have joined in the march past Mr. Balfour, which occupied four hours ; and the earnestness and order of these grave Protes- tants are noted by all the reporters. All the prominent men of the North took part in the procession, and all the clubs and societies ; the workmen joined it in thousands, and the Orange Lodges were, of course, out in force. The bearing of the people was perfectly quiet ; but the welcome to Mr. Balfour was almost regal, and is said to have made the deepest impression on his mind. In the evening, a vast assemblage met to listen to him in the Ulster Hall, every class being represented, from the highest Peers to the wharfmen ; and it is noted in every account that the nearer the speaker approached to advocacy of armed resistance, the wilder became the enthusiasm of the audience, which finished the striking scene by singing " Rule Britannia!" Throughout the ceremonial many Catholics of distinction were present, and the Catholic population, either overawed or fearing that a riot might fire the powder, abstained from any appearance of opposition. No gathering so great or so unanimous has been seen in Belfast for generations ; and it did but express the feeling of all Protestants in Ireland and all Catholics with anything to lose that the Home-rule Bill must not pass, or if passed, must not be obeyed.
