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McNeill, Ronald John, 1861-1934

"Ulster's Stand For Union"

In the
north-eastern portion of Ireland, he said:
"You have a population as hostile to Irish rule as the rest of
Ireland is to British rule, yea, and as ready to rebel against it
as the rest of Ireland is against British rule--as alien in blood,
in religious faith, in traditions, in outlook--as alien from the
rest of Ireland in this respect as the inhabitants of Fife or
Aberdeen. To place them under National rule against their will
would be as glaring an outrage on the principles of liberty and
self-government as the denial of self-government would be for the
rest of Ireland."
The Government were, therefore, prepared, said Mr. Lloyd George, to
bring in Home Rule immediately for that part of Ireland that wanted it,
but not for the Northern part which did not want it. Mr. Redmond made a
fine display of indignation at this refusal to coerce Ulster; and, in
imitation of the Unionists in 1914, marched out of the House at the head
of his party. Next day he issued a manifesto to men of Irish blood in
the United States and in the Dominions, calling on them to use all means
in their power to exert pressure on the British Government.


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