the minority into the same political fold. The baser elements in
society, the intriguers, the job seekers, and all who would acquire
by influence what they cannot attain by merit, flock into such
bodies, and create a sinister impression as to their objects and
deliberations. If we are to have national concord among Irishmen
religion must be left to the Churches whose duty it is to promote
it, and be dissevered from party politics, and it should be regarded
as contrary to national idealism to organize men of one religion
into secret societies with political or economic aims. So shall
be left to Caesar the realm which is Caesar's, and it shall not
appear part of the politics of eternity that Michael's sister's
son obtains a particular post beginning at thirty shillings a week.
I am not certain that it should not be an essential condition of
any Irish settlement that all such sectarian organizations should
be disbanded in so far as their objects are political, and remain
solely as friendly societies. It is useless assuring a minority
already suspicious, of the tolerance it may expect from the majority,
if the party machine of the majority is sectarian and semi-secret,
if no one of the religion of the minority can join it. I believe
in spite of the recent growth of sectarian societies that it has
affected but little the general tolerant spirit in Ireland, and
where the evils have appeared they have speedily resulted in the
break up of the organization in the locality. Irishmen individually
as a rule are much nobler in spirit than the political organizations
they belong to.

11. It is necessary to speak with the utmost frankness and not to
slur over any real difficulty in the way of a settlement. Irish
parties must rise above themselves if they are to bring about an
Irish unity. They appear on the surface irreconcilable, but that,