We are not in the least surprised by this evidence
of Ulster's attitude, for we have never failed to realize that the demand of North- East Ulster for exclusion for its special area was perfectly bond- fide. What, however, is far more important is the evidence that is rapidly "accumulating that the Nationalists and Sinn Feiners will not in any circumstances agree to the exclusion of the homogeneous area of the six counties. This, if properly understood, is a most significant, nay, a most sinister, fact. If the Nationalists really believed in their own cause, really meant well to Protestant Ulster, and did not intend to tyrannize over her or to exploit her, it is obvious that their attitude would be expressed in some such words as these : " Certainly let that area in which there is a substantial majority against Home Rule stand out until your qualms and anxieties are fully satisfied. From many points of view we shall really like to start housekeeping in a solid area. In the twenty-six counties we shall have no fear of being hindered by differences of view, for we shall have a compact majority, and therefore a free hand. Our only difficulty may be a financial one, but the British Government have promised to put that right. Therefore, in a sense we shall start the Dublin Parliament and Executive under better auspices without Protestant Ulster than with it. We are perfectly certain that in, say, three years we shall be able to show such splendid fruits of National government that you will be hammering at our doors asking to be let in, and our only difficulty then will be that a certain number of selfish people on our side of the doors will grumble at the idea of sharing their benefits win those who would not run any risk, and therefore would not help to bear the burden with us." That no Nationalist will ever dream of taking this line is surely a very unpleasant fact. In our opinion, it is a fact that makes it certain that Home Rule is not coming and cannot come. The existence of the two Irelands forbids the banns.
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