Mr. T. W. Russell addressed a meeting of the Dublin
and Counties Liberal Association on Monday night on the Ex- clusion question. He dismissed the exclusion of the whole of Ulster as incompatible with the continuance of peace, prosperity, or contentment. As for the exclusion of the four north-eastern counties, while disbelieving much of what had been said and written, be admitted that it would be a rather sorry beginning to self-government in Ireland if those in authority found themselves in conflict with a large pro- portion of the northern population. It would be worth almost any sacrifice to enable the Irish Parliament and the Irish Government to start with consent and with good feeling. But Mr. Redmond would not consent to the partition of Ireland, and to translate Lord MacDonnell's scheme into being would give rise to more friction, trouble, and danger than any pro. posal that had yet been made. Should the Bill pass the House of Commons as it stood next session, he felt certain there would be tumult and disorder in parts of Ulster, but he utterly denied that the great mass of the agricultural com- munity would join in that tumult or take part in fanning that disorder. It is clear that in the case of Mr. Russell the pro- verbial zeal of the convert is tempered by moments of misgiving.
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