New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-29
Sir Edward Carson in Spotlight
During the Whole of a
Memorable Day.
PEOPLE IN REAL EARNEST
Special Bodyguard Goes to Meet
Tory Leader Statistics
Show Hollowness Of
Some Pretensions.
LEY chic 20 Tho Tribune. J


signed its solemn league and covenant
against Home Rule for lrela I'd as
grand climax 10 the series of demon
strations intended to tell in unmistak-
able tones that the Protestant portion
Of Ulster would never submit 10 any
attempt 10 bring the province under
the rule of a Dublin Parliament. For
Il few weeks past Ulster Day has been
heralded with high1own oratorical
newspaper fanfares, and law-abiding
PEOPLE feared that it would be day of
grim tragedy, when passions would
Outr.de reason and sane men become
frenzied in a great moment Of political
agitation. Even the government
seemed to be fearful of the effect of
Sir Edward Carson's solemn downing,
but the troops it drafted to Belfast
this week were to-day passive specta-
tors Of the proceedings.
The occasion was not the less mem
orable however, because Of the alb
sen,e Of he feared riots and blood
shed. To-days demonstrations wer.
remarkable AS expressions of the de-
termination OF Crangemen to hold TO
the settlement made by Pitt and in
corporatod in the Act Of Union If 1900.
Scores Of thousands Of men and
women throughout Ulster assembled TO
invoke the aid of the Almighty in the
hour of national danger. TO censecrate
their efforts to avert calamity, 10 direct
the endeayor Of their leaders in church
and state, and to crown them with
such success that the unity Of ,he COM
monwealth may be preserved and that
d.scord may cease among them"
Weird Calm in Belfast.
Far from being a city Of turmoil and
strife born of religious and olitical
hatred, Belfast to-day was city Of
weird calm. and at times of almost
silent animation The shops were
closed and thousands of houses were
decorated with Union Jacks. The
whole city had the appearance OF
gala day celebration. without any evil
dence Of joyous gala excitement among
the go, e then selves. but the air was
oppressive with restrained emotion.
Almost every citizen wore patriotic
badges. and TO a man all went to the
religious services which preceded the
signing Of the covenant.
y special odyguard went out to
meet Sir Edward Carson nicknamed
owing to his prediction FIR pomp in
his Ulster Progresses. the un ,rowned
Cnionist King Of ireland. and escorted
him into the city. The leader of the
Ulster ant.-Home Rulers then moved
in solemn Iroce sion to Ulster Hail.
where a religious service was held.
on Sir Edwards right a standard
bearer carried the chief prop" Of the
play-i, e., the flag borne before King
William III at the Battle of the Boyne.
Even The most enthusiastic Home Rul-
ers were impressed at the deep relig-
ioUs convictions expressed in such y. b.
Heal teXts as were read at the SER
vice, notably: I'VE wrestle not against
flesh and blood but against principall-
ties and Powers and against wicked
ness in high places"
A fieeting attempt to cheer Sir Ed
ward Carson on his arrival for the SER
vice was instantly suppressed. but the
avalanche of pent up enth Isiasm broke
when Sir Edward, with the much ad-
yertised silver pen appended his sigma
ture 10 the covenant He was followed
by Lord Londonderry, Lord Charles
Beresfcrd, Lord Templetown, Lord
Castlereagh, the Moderator of the
Presbyterian General Assembly, the
bishops of the Protestant dioceses. the
clergy Members of Parliament public
bodies and then the populace.
Covenant Signed Elsewhere.
Not only IN Belfast but in scores of
places throughout Ulster and England,
Scotland and Wales sons OF Ulster
pledged themselves to stand together
in the fight against Home Rule.
After the signing ceremony Sir Ed
ward Carson and the other Unionst
leaders proceeded to the Ulster Reform
Club, where they were entertained at
luncheon. The streets en- route were
crowded with a wildly cheering people.
and il is an amazing fact that the
smouldering fire of political fervor
never broke into fame,
Only one incident marred the tran
quinity Of tie memorable day. During
the course Of football match at Celtic
Park, Belfast, a free fight broke out
when few Nationalists displayed green
flags. For a time the situation looked
as II II would develop into q riot Free
fights were general in certain spots,
and revolver shots were fred, but cuts
and bruises were the full extent of the
injuries received, though several Of the
women were so seriously injured that,
they had TO be removed In ambulances.
Police officials then speedily restored
order, and the game proceeded in peace.
Late tonight in the lower quarters
OF Belfast isolated cases OF free fighting
we're reported. but the reinforced police
suppressed the outbreaks with a firm
hand.
After receiving congratulatory ad-
dress from the English Protestant AS
sociations. Sir Edward Carson, accom-
panied by the members Of the Ulster
committee and the English Iynionist