The Peril of Home Rule

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The Peril of Home Rule (Author: Peter Kerr-Smiley)

Introduction

For the third time within twenty-five years the Radical party, in coalition with the Socialists and Irish Nationalists, are determined, if possible, to break up the United Kingdom and to betray the loyal subjects of the King in Ireland. The efforts made to that end in 1886 and 1893 were frustrated by the electors of Great Britain as soon as the proposals, with their far-reaching and disastrous consequences, were understood by the people.

Since then a new generation has grown up, very few of whom remember the arguments which proved disastrous to the separatist conspiracy, and the present Government are determined that, if they can avoid it, the electors shall never have an opportunity of either understanding or pronouncing an opinion upon the proposals of 1912. But it is the first duty of the Unionist party to try and defeat this policy of tyranny. The aims and the objects are the same now as in 1893, and the disastrous consequences can be even more clearly demonstrated now than then. As

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Mr. Balfour truly said, speaking at Ipswich on the 6th January, 1910: ‘I venture to think that while Home Rule had insuperable difficulties in 1886 and 1893, these have been augmented tenfold by the progress of events. Since those things have happened we have lent, or are in the process of lending, between 100 and 200 million sterling of British money. This country has made itself responsible for old-age pensions in Ireland, and we are under an obligation to pay these old-age pensions in Ireland as we are in England. There is a third consideration. The problem of national defence is incomparably more thorny in the year 1910 than it was in the year 1900 or 1890 or 1880. Are we really going to be told that we are to make Ireland practically independent of this country if she so desired it, that we are to separate ourselves from an island which, by the geographical necessities of the case, is predestined to be a part of one kingdom with ourselves?’ And, indeed, he might have added that since 1893 we had the experience of the Boer war, with the disloyal conduct of the Nationalist party, both inside and outside the House of Commons, during its progress.

I feel perfectly confident that now, as in 1893, all that is wanted to defeat Home Rule is that the electors should understand the subject. Much useful

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information as to the history and aims of this movement, and of the benefits the Union has conferred upon Ireland, is to be found in the pages of this little volume, written by an Irishman who represents in Parliament an Ulster constituency, who has lived amongst people who have felt the inestimable advantage of the British connection, and are determined not to be deprived of it without a struggle.

EDWARD CARSON.

5, EATON PEACE, W.

November, 1911.