RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE IN IRELAND.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR] Sra,—The only value attaching to the opinions of an obscure supporter of the Government on such matters as Miss Richard- son's letter in the Spectator of March 18th is that they are also the opinions of a great mass of obscure persons whose support will enable the Government to carry through its measures. Whether Miss Richardson's statements and the counter charges of the Nationalists are to be relied on, not knowing Ireland, I do not know. It is to be feared they are true, they sound so probable. Let it be granted then that the opposing factions illtreat and oppress one another in the spirit, though not to the extent, which has darkened every page of Irish history. How do those things bear upon Home Rule ? The present system does not prevent them. Will Home Rule make them better or worse ? Without first-hand knowledge we can only judge the contradictory reports from those on the spot in the light of experience and general principles. During the first few decades of the last century this country was torn by factions much as Ireland was recently, much more than she is now. The labouring classes were in almost open revolt, and revolution seemed not impossible. The admission of the violent elements into the system of government com- pletely changed them, and the Labour Party is to-day a stable support of the State. Responsibility wonderfully calms turbulent spirits. How often men who boasted what they would do when they got into the town council or the board of guardians are to be found pulling steadily at the collar along- side their fellow members! Events in South Africa confirm our faith, and wk Miss Richardson points to the state of Ireland
we reply we know no such sovereign remedy as self-govern- ment. When the sinister influence of the Church of Rome is held up to us, we give the same answer. Where has the priest the greatest power—in America, in the Colonies, or in Ireland ? In France or Spain ? I don't want to say anything offensive to my fellow Christians, but sunshine and light cure many ills, and priestcraft has nowhere so little hold as in free, contented self-governing communities. Letters like Miss Richardson's show how bitter is the legacy of the past, bow much remains to be done, but, so far from frightening us from Home Rule, confirm our belief in the need for it. Your own articles on financial and other difficulties do not convince us that the problem is complicated. I think you will find these to be some of the reasons why so many of us remain Home Rulers.—I am, Sir, etc., NEMO. [If Nemo is true to his principles, he should be a strong advocate of exempting North-East Ulster from the coming Home Rule Bill.—En. Spectator.]
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