The Home Rule Bill, which has been under discussion in
the House of Commons during the past week, was read a second time on Thursday by a majority of 101 (372-271). It is impossible for us to attempt to summarize in these para- graphs the speeches made on both sides on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We can only say that on both sides the speaking was of a high order of merit, but we do not think we are showing partisanship when we say that there was an absence of anything approaching the passion of conviction on the part of the advocates of Home Rule. When we say this we do not mean to suggest that all the defenders of the Bill are insincere. Their attitude is rather that of a man who, having got into a bog, has decided that, for one reason or another, the only way is to plunge deeper in the hope of getting out on the other side, but who is by no means certain whether the attempt be is making will be successful. All that the Government speakers seem to be really convinced of is that it is very wicked of any- body to suggest that they ought not to have floundered into the morass. It may be said that by the nature of things Unionist speakers have an easier task, since it is always easier to attack than to defend. That, however, does not in reality account for the contrast we are noting. Unionists really believe that the Bill is a bad Bill, and that Home Rule will bring misery and not benefit to Ireland, and that the break- up of the United Kingdom menaces the whole national welfare, and this belief is apparent in their speeches.
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