,
freedom should mean persecution? On the contrary, is it not far more
likely that Home Rule for Ireland will mean neither Rome Rule nor
Orange Rule, but the "rule of the best for the good of all"?

* * * * *

FOOTNOTES:

[51] See Appendix A for the text of the Bill.

[52] The priests have now practically complete power of dismissal over
the elementary teachers in the Irish schools. The only appeal is to the
Bishops.

[53] In his "History of Ireland in the Eighteenth Century." That book
is one of the most conscientious pieces of work in all modern
historical literature. It should be read by all who wish to gain a
thorough understanding of the Irish problem.

[54] See a very interesting pamphlet entitled "The Closing of the Irish
Parliament," by John Roche Ardill, LL.D. (Dublin). Dublin: Hodges,
Figgis and Co. Price 1s. 6d.

[55] For instance, it was by a Unionist intrigue at the Vatican that
the Pope was induced to denounce the "Plan of Campaign," and to
restrain the agitation among the Irish priests.

HOME RULE IN HISTORY

FIVE CENTURIES OF LIMITED HOME RULE
(1265-1780)

"You parade a great deal upon the vast concessions made by this
country to the Irish before the Union. I deny that any
voluntary concession was ever made by England to Ireland. What
did Ireland ever ask that was granted? What did she ever demand
that was not refused? How did she get her Mutiny Bill--a
limited Parliament--a repeal of Poynings' Law--a Constitution?
Not by the concessions of England, but by her fears. When
Ireland asked for all these things upon her knees, her
petitions were rejected with Percevalism and contempt; when she
demanded them with the voice of 60,000 armed men, they were
granted with every mark of consternation and dismay"

SYDNEY SMITH.

CHAPTER VII.

HOME RULE IN HISTORY

What is the fact of Irish history vital to our present cause? Surely it
is this, that up to the year 1800--the year of the Act of
Union--Ireland had possessed for practically five centuries a Home Rule
Government in some shape or form. In other words, self-government had
been the rule and not the exception throughout the centuries preceding
1800. This is a complete and sufficient answer to those who argue that
the supporters of Irish Home Rule are making a p