"A LITTLE HISTORY."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1091, 1 April 1911, Page 13

"A LITTLE HISTORY."

Sir,—Your correspondent "Xon-Fac-tionist" has taken his twin brother's advice, and dropped the "old question." Xow lie heads 111s communications, "A Little History.'' He accuses me ot only knowing a "little bit of Irish history." I might let "Xon-Factionist" know tlisit I know quite enough not to swallow bis nonsense, 110 practically admits my figures tlint I quoted from "M'Gcc's History." "Xoti-l'actiouist" states that "the debt was less than four millions in 1797— 0r, to bo exact, just five years before the union." l'.eally, I think "Xon-Factionist" should be more accurate in his figures, as from 1797 to tlio Act of Union, which received its Royal assent oil August 2, 1800, is not five years. Again, "Xon-Factionist" gives us figures to show how this debt was increased. I might remind "Xon-Fac-tionist" that it is generally the rule that the losing combatants in war have to pny tlio victorious, ami when the "United Irishmen" thought the time was ripo to throw off "tlio English yoko" and they failed, it was natural that tlio country should bo matlo to pay some of tlio burden. As to liis £1,500,000 to settle the Loyalists' claims. I do not think any fair-minded man could say that was any extortion. I might remind "Xon-Factionist" that it was tho practico of the "United Irishmen" to visit houses of Loyalists at night, and ff tlio occupiers did not swear to become "United Irishmen," their houses were set on fire. It was these tactics that gavo the Loyalists their right to claim compensation, when the rebellion was suppressed. Again, "Xon-Factionist'' says Ireland's debt had risen to £112,704,773 in 1817. I always understood, before any amount could be added to the Xational Debt, it took an Act of the Legislature. If "Xon-Factionist" had stated that the Xational Debt had increased for the three Kingdoms, and shown us Ireland's, Scotland's, and England's shares, it would have been Interesting. I might remind "Xon-Factionist" that most of this X'ational Debt was raised for foreign wars, and at March 31, 1907, it stood at £10 Us. 7Jd. per head of the population of the' United Kingdom. There is no separato account kept as far as I know of either Ireland or Britain. Then, "Non-Factionist" wants to know how much Ireland gained by these wars. Well, there seems to be a lot of sawdust in patriots of "XonFactionist's" 'type! How much did Scotland benefit, and slio did her share P Sentiment is all very well, but no country ever accomplished very much by sentiment. "Xon-Factionist s" parting shot is so much blank cartridge—his reforenco to "a few prophets predicting disasters." I might remind "Xon-Fac-tionist" that tilings do all look what they seem. 1 might remind "XonFactionist" that at a private meeting of tho Ulster Unionist Council, held in December last, a fund was started, in a few minutes £10,000 was promised, and by the following Wednesday £24,000 was subscribed. It is not intended that Loyalists shall bo the aggressors, but, they will pay no taxes to a party of ltedmonites, and should efforts be made to cnforco them they will resist by every possible means. Between sixty and seventy thousand men arc ready to join in this movement. John Redmond will have a stifTer nut to crack than ho imagines beforo ho will be ablo to collect his revenue from Ulster.—l am, etc., THOS. M. MILLIGAN. March 15, Ml.