But he was a dangerous ally for Unionists.
That the government of Ireland by what he called a Protestant Parliament sitting at Westminister, meaning the Parliament of the United Kingdom, had failed, he not merely admitted, but loudly proclaimed.

It had failed "more signally, and more disgracefully," than any other system, because Gladstone admitted that Fenian outrages precipitated legislative reforms.

The alternative was to rule Ireland, or let her be free, and altogether separate from Great Britain.

Neither branch of the supposed alternative was within the range of practical politics.

But on one point Froude unconsciously anticipated the immediate future.