On the other hand, what sacrifices had been made by the Southern Unionists?  These were the men who had had the hardest battle to fight in the struggle over Home Rule.  They were not, like Ulster Unionists, “entrenched in a ring-fence,” but the scattered few, who had suffered most and who might naturally have entertained most bitterness.  Yet Lord Midleton’s speech had been instinct with an admirable spirit.  The speech of the Archbishop of Dublin had touched him deeply.

“Between these men and us there never again can be the differences of the past.  They have put behind them all bitter memories.  They have agreed to the framework of a Bill better than any offered to us in 1886, 1893 or 1914.”

As for us Nationalists—­he emphasized that each man came here free, untrammelled.

“I speak only for myself.  But even if I stand alone, I will not allow myself, because I cannot get the full measure of my demand, to be drawn to reject the proffered hand of friendship held out to us.  In my opinion we should be political fools if we did not endeavour to cement an alliance with these men.”

As concerned the Labour men, Mr. Whitley, who had always been a Unionist, had declared willingness to agree.  But the Ulster Unionists—­what sacrifice had they made?

“The last thing I desire is to attack Mr. Barrie and his friends.  But they are not free agents.  I was shocked when I heard that a section here openly avowed the need to refer back to some outside body.  If we had been told we were going into a body which would consist of two orders of members, it would have been difficult to get us here.”

On the essential point Ulster had made no concession.  What did Mr. Barrie say in his formal document?  ’We are satisfied that for Ireland and for Great Britain a common system of finances with one Exchequer is a fundamental necessity.’  If they denied the taxing power to Ireland, any proposal on these lines must give Ireland less than any proposal for Home Rule ever put forward.  This was Ulster’s original position and they had not budged an inch.

“This is their response to the Empire’s S.O.S.  Is it worthy of Ulster’s Imperial loyalty?  I don’t believe it is their last word.”

Lord Londonderry, however, in replying, did not add any ground of hope.  The last speech of the day announced that of six trade unionists five would support the compromise.

Redmond that evening put on the notice paper a motion adopting Lord Midleton’s proposals provided that they “be adopted by His Majesty’s Government as a settlement of the Irish question and legislative effect be given to them forthwith.”

On the day before this motion was tabled, a party was given at Lord Granard’s house which everybody attended, and which marked the most festive moment of our comradeship.  When we separated on the Friday most men were absolutely confident of an agreement covering four-fifths of the Convention.