The ramshackle intelligence of his party and his own emotional nature betrayed him and us and England.

He swore Ireland to loyalty as if he had Ireland in his pocket and could answer for her.

Ireland has never been disloyal to England, not even at this epoch, _because she has never been loyal to England_, and the profession of her National faith has been unwavering, has been known to every English person alive, and has been clamant to all the world beside.
"Is it that he wanted to be cheered?
He could very easily have stated Ireland's case truthfully, and have proclaimed a benevolent neutrality (if he cared to use the grandiloquent words) on the part of this country.

He would have gotten his cheers, he would in a few months have gotten Home Rule in return for Irish soldiers.

He would have received politically whatever England could have safely given him.