Page:Perils of home rule.djvu/10

8 that amongst the Liberal party there were many political Sangrados who would cure a sick country by blood-letting and superabundant doses of hot water. I did not really know that there were humanitarians who would not for all the world take on their soul the guilt of causing a single drop of blood to be shed for the honour and glory of the Empire, but who are willing to shed whole streams of blood—to

FLOOD ALL ULSTER WITH BLOOD —(hear, hear)—and all I can say is, that if they goad on the spirits of young and fiery youths, and drive them to excesses, and if the troops of our gracious Queen are compelled to fire upon these men, then I say that every drop of blood that was shed would be upon the head of England—(cheers) and all the waters of all the seas upon which her navies ride would never wash away the stain. (Applause.) If a man reads history, and there is such a thing as history—(hear, hear)—I suppose unless it has been abolished by law—(laughter)—there have been two fruitful causes of civil wars—one has been taxation, and the other has been taxation without just representation—(hear, hear)—and without just proportion. (Hear.) Now, surely, this is a lesson to be thought on. (Hear.) The Bill is not yet passed, and if it be passed, let any man read the letter which I saw this morning in the Times written by Lord Penzance, and he will see that there are other difficulties yet to be considered. (Hear, hear.) As for those who sneer at the Psalm-singing of Ulster—they are very witty, indeed, in laughing at her piety. A common danger makes men pray in common. (Applause.) To whatever Church we belong we are ready to pray with all those who believe in the living God—upon the deck of the ship which is about to sink. (Hear, hear.) That was, in my opinion, a noble moment when the venerable President of this assembly and the Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly—(applause)—joined in a common act of prayer before the Belfast Convention, and rolled out that psalm, which passed like a storm from the building in which they were assembled