Yet they might well be pardoned for some scepticism as to how the utterance might be taken in Ireland, and how it would issue in action.

A famous Nationalist said some ten days later: "When I read the speech in the paper, I was filled with dismay.

Now I recognize that it was a great stroke of statesmanship which I should never have had the courage to advise." Redmond's instinct had been right.

He trusted in the appeal to national pride and to the sense of national unity.

Ireland was perfectly willing, and he knew it, to give loyal friendship to England on the basis of freedom.