They have scarcely ever been able to form themselves into a party, never into a strong or a wise party.

They have been violent, desperate, frequently ridiculous, but always sincere and unselfish.

Their great weakness has lain in the fact that they have had no consistent aim.

Some of their leaders have looked for a return to Ireland's Constitution, and built upon the watchword of the volunteers, 'The King, the Lords, and the Commons of Ireland.' Some have dreamed of a complete independence, of an Irish republic shaping its own world policy.

Some have wholly distrusted politics, and given their strength to the intellectual, spiritual, or material regeneration of the people.