Moreover, he warned them that if they presented a united front, there would be little fear of trouble.

If they were divided in their ranks, or if they were halfhearted in their demands, they would invite opposition and, therefore, trouble.

He asked them all to stand together in supporting a reasonable demand, which he felt sure reasonable men would consider favorably.
The effect of his speech was overwhelming.

The administration supporters were exuberant in their enthusiastic applause and in their vociferous demands for a vote.

The opposition were paralysed by the desertion of one whom they had regarded and trusted as a leader against the radical element and were left without answer to the masterly array of facts and arguments which he had presented.
At this point, the door opened and Maitland walked in.