same class of society in Ulster and obtaining
as good prices in the same market. As a matter of fact this method of
organization now largely adopted by Ulster farmers was initiated in the
South. With regard to the charge of intolerance I do not believe it.
Here, as in all other countries, there are unfortunate souls obsessed by
dark powers, whose human malignity takes the form of religious hatreds,
but I believe, and the thousands of Irish Protestants in the Southern
Counties will affirm it as true that they have nothing to complain of in
this respect. I am sure that in this matter of religious tolerance these
provinces can stand favorable comparison with any country in the world
where there are varieties of religions, even with Great Britain. I would
plead with my Ulster compatriots not to gaze too long or too credulously
into that distorting mirror held up to them, nor be tempted to take
individual action as representative of the mass. How would they like
to have the depth or quality of spiritual life in their great city
represented by the scrawlings and revilings about the head of the
Catholic Church to be found occasionally on the blank walls of Belfast.
If the same method of distortion by selection of facts was carried out
there is not a single city or nation which could not be made to appear
baser than Sodom or Gomorrah and as deserving of their fate.

7. The Ulster character is better appreciated by Southern Ireland, and
there is little reason to vindicate it against any charges except the
slander that Ulster Unionists do not regard themselves as Irishmen, and
that they have no love for their own country. Their position is that
they are Unionists, not merely because it is for the good of Great
Britain, but because they hold it to be for the good of Ireland, and it
is the Irish argument weighs with them, and if they were convinced it
would be better for Ireland to be self-governed they would throw in
their lot with the rest of Ireland, which would accept them gladly and
greet them as a prodigal son who had returned, having made, unlike most
prodigal sons, a fortune, and well able to be the wisest adviser in
family affairs. It is necessary to preface what I have to say by way of
argument or remonstrance to Irish parties by words making it clear that
I write without prejudice against any party, and that I do not in the
least underestimate their good qualities or the weight to be attached
to their opinions and ideals.