[Cheers.] The British Empire has always been proud, and with reason, of
those Irish regiments [cheers] and their Irish leaders, [more cheers,]
and was never prouder of them that it is today. [Great cheering.] We ask
you here in Ireland to give us more, [cheers, and a Voice, "You'll get
them,"] to give them without stinting. We ask Ireland to give of her
sons, the most in number, the best in quality that a proud and loyal
daughter of the empire ought to devote to the common cause. [Cheers.]
The Volunteers of Ireland.
The conditions seem to me to be exceptionally favorable for the purpose.
We have of late been witnessing here in Ireland a spontaneous enrollment
and organization in all parts of the country of bodies of volunteers. I
say nothing--for I wish tonight to avoid trespassing upon even a square
inch of controversial ground--I say nothing of the causes or motives
which brought them originally into existence, [laughter,] and have
fostered their growth and strength. I will only say--and this is my
nearest approach to politics tonight--that there are two things which to
my mind have become unthinkable. The first is that one section of
Irishmen are going to fight. [Loud cheers.] The second is that Great
Britain is going to fight either.
Pages:
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363