The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-07-04

the volunteers under duress and at
the suggestion of his father. who was
anxious to placate bitter Unionist
landlord. Waxing confidential. when
he discovered that my sympathies
were aroused, he took me to one side
and introduced to me four cronies of
his, all Of whom were home rulers
aDl Ulster volunteers!
In the city regiments. too. recruit
ed in Belfast and Londonderry, there
are hundreds of men and boys who
have no sympathy with the cause
which they have found it expedient
to pretend to espouse. One of these
volunteers" strolled into the Nation
alist club in Berry street few nights
ago and, to the delight of a group
of friends, related a number of laugh
able experiences which he had en-
joyed while in camp with his '-egi-
ment" a few days previously. From
his pocket he produced copy of the
printed rules issued to recruits at the
Camp of instruction at Castle Upton.
Pointing to Regulation No. II, un.
der the heading of Game and Prop
erty." he read the following pronun-
ciamento with great glee:
All are in honor bound not to in-
terfere with the game. nor to damage
any trees, shrubs or property.
They're drillin' us to go out an
kill Christians, but we are forbidden
to shoot a rabbit" he concluded,
laughing.
This youth informed me that he
was employed in a large factory. the
| owners of which are staunch Cnion-
lists. When the volunteer" move
ment was organized, he said, he rc-
ceived strong intimation that un-
less he consented to drill and sign
the Ulster covenant" he could look
for another job. Sure, there are a
lot of 'em. sir, whose hearts aren't
in the business at ALL" he comment
ed. mot many of them are Nation
alists like me, but there are scores
who don't want to fight and who are
sick of drillin' and marchin'. Take
it from me, there'll be no civil wal"
In journeying to Clandeboye. it
was my lot to ride in a smoking car
riage. the compartments of which
were not sub-divided into cross sec.
tions. but were connected by center
aisle running the length Of the cal
as in an American railway coach. Op-
posite me was seated venerable
Presbyterian clergyman. sucking con-
tentedly on a highly colored meer-
schaum pipe. Down through the car
stalked stranger in the uniform of
a colonel Of volunteers.
He thrust paper in front Of my
travelling companion, which bore at
the top the coat of arms Of Ulster
and the words For God and Ulster:
Penny Fund"
"Will you give something for the
cause?" asked the stranger.
The minister glanced at the docu-
ment. and rejoined slowly: For Cod
aye. I'd give penny to Him. For
Ulster-yes. I'm an fisherman, an
I'd not begrudge shilling; but this
s the first time that l knew that the
partnership existed. Tell me, friend,
what is it all about?"
Disconnected. the officer began to
declaim against home rule and the
coercion of Ulster"
you've said enough" interrupted
the minister. smiling. "I'm for home
rule. because I'm Protestant and an
Irishman and like fair play"
You're traitor to your king and
a renegade to your religion" was
the angry reply. as the officer strode
away.
There you are, sir" said the old
clergyman. addressing me for the
first time. There's tolerance for
you"
In the course of the chat which en-
sued, my travelling companion relat-
ed numerous incidents In his expert
ence to illustrate his contention that
the Ulster Orangeman is more bitter
against Protestant Nationalist than
against Roman Catholic. He told
of several instances where clergymen
were boycotted for espousing the Ma
ttonalist cause, and were forced to
give up their churches and seek calls
from congregations In England, Scot
land or even Canada.
my people are very considerate of
me-" he said simply. II have had
the same church for % years, but
it may interest you to know, sir, that
in all Of that period have never
been invited to occupy the pulpit of
another church or to take part in
a joint SERVICE"
When relating the anecdote later
to an English journalist at Clande-
boye. was interrupted by the fat
assertion that I had invented the en-
tire yarn.