It is clear that Irish opinion is by no means
adequately formed on the point at issue between Mr. Butt and Mr. Biggar. The Free- man's Journal is hesitating,—supports Mr. Butt on the whole, but is disposed to think his denunciation of Obstruction as " uncon- stitutional " quite irrelevant. "How often," it asks, "has Mr. Butt demonstrated to the Irish people that the British Constitu- tion is not for them P How often has he proved in and out of Parliament that as far as Ireland was concerned, the British Constitution was a hollow mockery and transparent sham ? " So, too, the Daily Express mocks at Mr. Butt's Spartan pre- tensions, and twits him with having threatened obstruction on the Education Estimates, if Parliament would not pass his Uni- versity Bill. The Tipperary Free Press goes with Mr. Butt, but is inclined to advocate "greater energy" among the Home- rulers as a party, and thinks the Obstructionists have shown that more might have been done without unconstitutional obstruction. The Limerick Reporter, again, supports Mr. Butt heartily, but the Ulster Examiner takes the part of the Obstructionists. Further, at a meeting of the Limerick and Clare farmers' club, a vote of confidence in Mr. Butt was passed, but various speeches on behalf of the Obstructionists were also delivered. On tho whole, the Catholic Church supports Mr. Butt and moderation, but it is obvious that popular feeling hesitates, and in many places inclines to the sensational side. We wish the Government would, in the same Session, propose a strong policy against the Obstruc- tionists, and yet a strong policy on the Irish Education question which should satisfy the moderate party in Ireland that even on a question like the University question, the British Constitution is as serviceable for Ireland as for England and Scotland. Mr. Butt's University Bill is in principle a very sound one.
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