We do not hesitate to say that Mr. Balfour's speech
was the most masterly exposition of what thoughtful Unionists feel on the Ulster question which has ever yet been given to the country. For the last three or four years we have repeatedly put this case before our readers, and therefore have some experience of handling the arguments, but we must frankly confess that Mr. Balfour handled the matter in the House of Commons infinitely better. His was a masterly performance We may also congratulate Sir Edward Carson on the way in which he dealt with the matter. No one for a moment expected him to accept the exclusion of Ulster as a com- promise. He could not, of course, have done that without a betrayal of the Unionists of the South. No one, that is, has ever dreamt of suggesting that Ulster should purchase the exclusion of the North by assenting to Home Rule in the South. But though be rightly could not and would not accept exemption as a compromise, he very properly pointed out what would be the consequences of not exempting Ulster.
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