A VOICE FROM IRELAND.
[To THE EDITOR CF THE -Sescr1Ton."]
SIR,—Your correspondent, " A Constant Reader," in your last issue says, "I am firmly persuaded they (the people) do not want or desire Home Rule. It is the work of paid agitators and their dupes looking for soft jobs—as a rule of men who have nothing to lose." This opinion finds illuminating con- firmation in the report of a recent meeting of the Mullingar Rural District Council, as published in the Dublin Daily Express of June 7th. The italics are mine—I am, Sir, &c., F. G. MCCLINTOCK. Drumcar Rectory, Dun leer, Co. Louth.
" At the annual meeting of the Mullingar Rural District Council, Mr. Joseph O'Neill, the outgoing chairman, having been unanimously re-elected, Mr. C. Lennon proposed Mr. Jeremiah Gibson, the outgoing vice-chairman, also for re-election. Ho said it had been complained of during the past twelvemonths at that Council that Mr. Gibson had attended a Unionist meeting in Mullingar. Well, he (Mr. Lennon) never considered Mr. Gibson to be a Nationalist, and the fact of his being a Unionist was the reason why he had proposed him as vice-chairman of that Council a year ago. They were asked to be tolerant, and in what better way could they show their tolerance there than by electing a man like Mr. Gibson to the vice-chair ? Mr. J. Donohoe, J.P. (chairman, Board of Guardians), seconded, and Mr. Moran said when they elected Mr. Gibson they looked on him as a Nationalist. Mr. Egan proposed Mr. William Gillinan for the vice-chair. Mr. Timbs, in seconding, said he had decided to go against Mr. Gibson. He had supported him previously because he believed at the time he was a Nationalist, but it would be showing poor spirit indeed if that, the premier District Council of Westmeath, returned a Unionist as vice-chairman now, as they know Mr. Gibson was a Unionist. Mr. F. Mullaly said ho thought they should not have a vote on it. Mr. Donohoe : If you oppose him you will be only showing your hand. Mr. Egan: This cry of tolerance can be carried too far. Mr. Lennon : Have wo any fault to find with Mr. Gibson? Mr. Scott : We have. Mr. Lennon: Did anyone ever come in here to complain that ho neglected his duty ? It is not a criminal offence to be a Unionist. There isn't a Roman Catholic in Ireland who has £100 in his pocket who is not a Unionist in his heart. In Ireland the man who has plenty of money is a Unionist. It is only the man of straw who is a Nationalist. A vote was then taken, when 22 voted for Mr. Gillinan and 7 for Mr. Gibson, the outgoing vice-chairman. Mr. Gillinan was accordingly declared elected."
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