The larger group, however, then led by Mr.Dillon, declined to be responsible for accepting it.
Later, in the working of this measure, Redmond pressed strongly that elections under it should not be conducted on party lines and that the landlord class should be brought into local administrative work.

His advice unfortunately was not taken.
Then followed the South African struggle, and in giving voice to a common sentiment against what Nationalist Ireland held to be an unjust war the two Irish parties found themselves united and telling together in the lobby.

Formal union followed.

By this time the cleavage between Parnellite and Anti-Parnellite was less acute than that between Mr.
Healy's section and the followers of Mr.Dillon and Mr.O'Brien.

The choice of Redmond as Chairman was due less to a sense of his general fitness than to despair of reaching a decision between the claims of the other three outstanding men.
The sacrifice to be made was made at Mr.Dillon's expense, and he did not acquiesce willingly or cordially.