And, what is of great importance, the mass of Englishmen waver between these two interpretations of Imperial supremacy.

When they think of Home Rule as satisfying Ireland, they hold that it gives Irishmen everything which they can possibly ask.

When they think of Home Rule as not dismembering the United Kingdom, they fancy that it leaves to the British Parliament all the real authority which Parliament can possibly require.
This difference of interpretation lays the foundation of misunderstanding, but it does far more harm than this.

It must keep Irish Nationalists alarmed, and not without reason, for the permanence of the independence which they may have obtained.

A change of feeling or a change of party may cause the Imperial Parliament to assert its reserved authority.