Mr. Balfour, in a passage of strong emotion and great
eloquence, pointed out that the Government appeared to be afraid lest those who disliked Home Rule should regard the Exclusion of Ulster as a party triumph. The greater part of his political life had been occupied in fighting the cause of the Union. He should not regard such a consummation (i.e. Exclusion) as a triumph over his political enemies, but rather as the mark of the failure of his life's work. The House at once realized the absolute sincerity of Mr. Balfour's words. They are applicable to all true Unionists, who, like Mr. Balfour, still believe that the maintenance of the Union is the essential need of Ireland, and that under it Ireland can obtain benefits which she can obtain in no other way. Never- theless, we agree that, things having come to the point which they have now reached, we must sacrifice our ideal in order to save the country from civil war.
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