The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-10-03
HOME RULE HAS
BEEN PROTESTED
THOUSANDS GATHER AT BEL.
FAST WHERE COVENANT
g is SIGNED.
ENTHUSIASM IS GREAT.
More Shown Than Displayed at
1892 Convention-TaIk
Of Armed Re-
s~istance.

Belfast, Sept. 3O.-T'he singing Of
the national anthem by an audience
OF 5000 persons. comprising every
body representative of B~elfast's great
Industrial. mercantile. civil and re-
ligious community. brought to a close
a great anti-home rule meeting in Ul-
ster hall, amid a fervor which was
not equalled even by the anti-home
rule convention of 1892. The meet.
ing renewed the adoption of the re-
solution passed at that convention
protesting against a home rule parlia.
ment for Ireland.
The supreme dramatic moment Of
the memorable gathering was the un-
furling and presentation to Sir Ed
ward Carson, the chief propaganda
against home rule, of the flag carried
by King William at the battle of the
Doyne. The flag was greeted with
frenzied cheers. contrary to expecta-
tions. .
No Resistance Hinted.
No new pronouncement of unionist
policy was made at the meeting. In
comparison with the demonstrations
held elsewhere during the last week.
the absence of talk Of armed resist
ance was noticeable. Also there was
less display of tho military spirit in
Belfast. The day. however. gave a
remarkable Indication of listers de-
termination not to accept home rule.
expressed in an orderly and enthusi-
astic manner, which can hardly fail
to provide the government with food
for serious reflection.
The Weekly Outlook made the start
ling announcement that one-third of
the officers in the British army are
1rishmen: that over 90 per cen are
union protestants. and that they are
now considering how to resign their
commissions in order to lead Ulster
in army against the home rule.
People Quickly Crowd Hall.
When the doors Of Ulster hall were
opened there was a wild rush Of tick
ct holders who speedily filled the
seats.
There was a dramatic scene when
Sir Edward Carson arose to speak,
The entire audience stood and cheered
him. Then Colonel Wallace, repre-
senting the orangemen. advanced to
the platform and presented to Sir Ed
ward Carson the flag which was car
ried to the front by King William at
the battle of the Boyne. In making
the presentation Colonel Wallace an.
nounced:
"This flag will be borne before Car
son at the signing of the covenant"
Audience Cheers Wildly.
The audience broke into a storm of
cheering which lasted several min
utes. Sir Edward Carson replied to
Colonel Wallace:
Il accept this flag as a token OF vic
tory for civil and religious liberty. I
hand it back to you and ask you to
keep 1t as a sacred trust until we have
killed the conspiracy that confronts
u.s."
A silver casket containing the scroll
of the covenant and a silver pen with
which he was to sign it were accept
ed by Sir Edward. who then proceed
ed with his speech.
The resolution denou1cing home
rule for Ireland was carried by accla,
nation.
10000 People Greet Carson.
When Sir Edward Carson stepped
out to address the overflow meeting
he found the street below a compact
mass of cheering people. estimated to
number 10000.
Sir Edward. in concluding his
speech, said:
I'VE wish peace, but not at any
price,"