[ 14 ] close on the disestablishment of the Irish Protestant Church, and it is worthy to note that a large number of prominent Protestants and Conservatives partici- pated actively in the proceedings, and expressed their hearty concurrence in the policy of Home Rule. Dr. Maunsell, the editor and proprietor of the Dublin Conservative organ, the Evening Mail, was one of the most active supporters of the policy. Colonel King- Harman, afterwards one of Mr. Balfour’s unpaid coadjutors in Coercion, declared :—% We have come here to say that Home Rule is a matter of vital necessity, not only for this country but for Great Britain.” Lord Francis Conyngham regretted he was unable to attend. Lord French wrote to “wish success to the move- ment for an Irish Parliament on a Federal principle, which would include all the benefits that could reasonably be expected from an unqualified repeal of the statute by which the legislative Union was so unjustly enacted, and at the same time afford Ireland the great advantage of being duly represented on all Imperial questions.” Lord Robert Montague proclaimed his hearty good wishes for the success of the movement,” and the O'Connor Don expressed his “decided opinion in favour of Self-Government,” though he did not think the moment opportune for its concession. The Home Rule policy, formulated at the Rotunda Conference has been ever since the policy of the Nationalists of Ireland. It differs essentially from the old policy of Repeal. By Repeal, as has been already said, separation is necessarily implied. Home Rule repudiates separation. By the acceptance of Home Rule the Irish people have for the first time abandoned their claim in an independent Parliament and attorned to the Union. By the acceptance of Home Rule the absolute supremacy of the Imperial Parliament is expressly acknowledged.