But the test of freedom had now come to be the right to bear arms, and this was a proposal that Ireland should undertake her own defence.

Ireland was sick of the talk of civil war, and this was a proposal that Ulstermen and the rest should make common cause.

It was an appeal addressed by an instinct, which was no less subtle than it was noble, to what was most responsive in the best qualities of Irishmen.
None the less it was a statesman's utterance addressed to a people politically quick-minded; Ireland saw as well as Redmond himself that what stood in the way of Ireland's national aspiration was the opposition of one section of Irishmen.

To that extent, and to that extent only, was the speech political in its purpose.

Whatever made for common action made for unity; and whatever made for unity made for Home Rule.