THE ULSTER QUESTION. [To rag Eorroa OF THE " spEcTITos.. - ]
Sin,—Whether loyal subjects are bound in all cases to obey the laws, although these laws may be in flagrant violation of the Constitution, is open to question. But surely if the Legis. lature were to transfer Ulster to the German Emperor the Ulstermen's obligation to obey the Legislature would be at an end. The Ulstermen are willing to obey the Imperial Parlia- ment and ask that Parliament to continue to rule over them as heretofore; but the Imperial Parliament is asked by the present Government to pass an Act transferring most of its powers to a new body to be created by the Act. How are the persons who are thus handed over to a new authority distinct from the Imperial Parliament less warranted in resisting this new authority than they would be if the transfer were made to the German Emperor ? Allegiance is not a kind of property which the person or persons to whom it is due can assign or transfer at pleasure to any one else. Or if the Governor has a right to transfer the allegiance of his subjects, why should not they possess a similar right of transferring their allegiance to some one else than his nominee? The right to govern and the right to be governed are counterparts of each other. The Ulstermen are bound to submit to be governed by the Imperial Parliament as long as it is ready and willing to govern them. This they are ready and willing to do. What more can be reasonably required from them as loyal men May I remark that it is usually where the Protestants and Catholics are nearly equally divided that party spirit runs highest and there is greatest difficulty in keeping the peace ? A firm and impartial Government is here specially needed, and the worst possible Government would be a partisan Government, always representing the same party.—I am, Sir, OBSERVER.
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