ork, Limerick, and Waterford are in the same
case as regards taxation with those of Londonderry and Belfast.
Publicans are Unionists in England, Nationalists in Ireland, both in
Ulster and elsewhere. Before the Home Rule issue was raised, Ulster was
largely Liberal. Ulster Liberalism is almost dead. Extreme Socialism may
almost be said to be non-existent in Ireland, yet Ireland is not only
administered on semi-collectivist principles, but continually runs the
risk of being involved in legislation of a Socialistic kind, which,
rightly or wrongly, she heartily dislikes.

As for the landed aristocracy all over Ireland, their historic alliance
with the intensely democratic tenant-farmers of one small corner of
Ireland, North-East Ulster, against those of all the rest, presented
strange enough features in the past, and is now becoming artificial in
the highest degree. Thanks to Land Purchase, no landed aristocracy in
the world now has a better chance of throwing its wealth and
intelligence into public life for the good of the whole country, of
thinking out problems, of conciliating factions, and of ennobling public
life. The landlord who has sold his land is a free man, far freer than
the English landlord from misgivings caused by divergency of interest.
The opportunity is still there. Will they profit by it? One thing is
essential: they must become Nationalists, and in breathing that phrase,
one is conscious of all the misleading implications and the bitter
historical feuds it suggests. Yet a small but powerful group of
landlords is already leading the way. And the way, even before Home
Rule, in reality is so simple. I speak from close observation. If a man
is a good man, and worthy to represent a constituency, he has only to
declare his belief that he thinks that he and his own fellow-citizens
are fit to govern themselves. Irishmen, especially in Roman Catholic
districts, and, indeed, as an indirect result of Catholicism, have never
lost their belief in aristocracy. When a landlord, or any other
Protestant, comes forward as a Nationalist, he is welcomed. His
religion, whatever it may be, does not count. Parnell and Smith O'Brien
were Protestant landlords. Many of the most trusted popular leaders,
Tone, Robert Emmet, John Mitchel, Isaac Butt, and others in the past
have been Protestants. Ten Members of the present Nationalist party are
Protestants. The Home Rule issue would have lost some of its bitterness
if a Unionist ele