proposition that Ireland shall manage English affairs, while Ireland
is to manage her own without any interference. I should have expected
the British workman to processionise about this. I should have thought
the British middle-classes would have been up in arms at the bare
thought of so monstrous a proposition. And so they would if they
thought it would become law. But, like us, they know there will never
be any Home Rule. Then, they are not so nervous as we in Ireland are,
because they don't know as we do what Home Rule really means.

"No earthly power can assist the Irish peasantry so long as they
remain under the dominion of the priests. Popery is the vampire that
is sucking the life-blood of the country. It is fashionable nowadays
to abstain from denouncing other religious systems, on the plea of
toleration. I agree with perfect toleration, and I am not desirous of
making reference to Romanism. But they force it upon us. The Papist
clergy say that the poverty of the country is due to English rule. We
who live here know that it is due to Romish rule. How is it that all
Protestants are well off, and make no complaint? How is it that their
children never run barefoot? How is it that their families are well
educated, that their dwellings are clean, and that they pay their way?
Home Rule may impoverish those whom the teachings and habits of
Protestantism have enriched, but neither Home Rule nor anything else
will enrich those whom Popery has impoverished. England should turn a
deaf ear to the cry for Home Rule, which means the ruin of her only
friends in Ireland, and unknown damage to herself. To give her enemies
the means wherewithal to damage her is very midsummer madness."

The difference between Protestant and Roman Catholic farmers was shown
in striking contrast on the Marquess of Lansdowne's estate in Queen's
County. Most of the tenants were non-judicial, and the total rents
amounted to L7,000, of which the Marquess allowed L1,100 to be
annually expended on the estate. In 1886 the tenants demanded
thirty-five per cent. reduction on non-judicial and twenty-five per
cent. on judicial rents, threatening as an alternative to adopt the
Plan of Campaign. The Marquess refused to comply with this exorbitant
demand, but offered reductions of fifteen to twenty-five per cent. on
non judicial rents. The tenants declined to pay anything, and the
landlord enforced his rights, Mr. Denis Kilbride, M.P., declaring that
"these