The Home Rule Bill had been defeated and the Liberal party broken up.

A Government was in power whose programme was one of coercion.

But Ireland, Redmond said, was ready for the fight and confident that with the weapons at command the enemy could be defeated.
Who were the enemy, and what the weapon?
His speech made this plain.
"Once more Irish landlords have behaved themselves with unaccountable folly and stupidity.

They have once more stood between Ireland and her freedom, and have refused even an extravagant price for the land because the offer was coupled with the concession of an Irish Parliament.

So be it.