On Tuesday the Standing Committee of the Ulster Unionist Council
passed with acclamation a resolution expressing astonishment at the intention of Mr. John Redmond and Mr. Winston Churchill to hold a Home Rule meeting in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, and resolving to take steps to prevent it being hold. Wo can understand the resentment felt by Belfast loyalists at this invasion of the Unionist centre of their city. Had the meeting been called for any building in the Nationalist district, it is stated that there would have probably been no opposition. Nevertheless we greatly regret the passing of the resolution if it involves the resort to any forcible resistance or attempt to break up the Home Rule meeting. The denial of a fair hearing to the advocates of Home Rule will not assist but damage the cause of the Union. No reasonable man wants proof that the men of Ulster are in deadly earnest and are determined to resist any attempt to drive them out of the United Kingdom and force them under a Dublin Parliament. But though such resistance will be justifiable if a Home Rule Act ever becomes law, the suppression of free speech can never be condoned.
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