I would like to say to every one of them, in addition, that even at this moment, when ephemeral causes have confused and disturbed Irish opinion, they are regarded with feelings of the deepest pride and gratitude by the great bulk of the Irish race and by all that is best in every creed and class in Ireland." The Irish Divisions had once and again been engaged shoulder to shoulder, but this time with very different fortune, in the third battle of Ypres; yet, win or lose, they won or lost together.

In that same fighting Redmond's own son had earned special honour; the Distinguished Service Order was bestowed on him for holding up a broken line with his company of the Irish Guards.

At a happier time this news would have been received with enthusiasm all over Ireland; now, the most one could say was that it delighted the Convention.
It would be quite wrong, however, to regard Redmond's attitude in these days as unhopeful.

The first meetings of the Nine were fruitful of much agreement--conditional at all points on general ratification.

But the true spirit of compromise was there.