Colonial independence is better for Ireland and safer for England than sham federalism.[83] Grant, however, that the judgments of the Privy Council can be enforced more easily than I suppose, still even Gladstonians would admit that the proper working of the new constitution depends on two presumptions.

The one is that the Irish people are under no strong temptation to oppose the Restrictions or to throw off the obligations imposed upon the Irish Parliament or Government.

The other that they possess no ready means for nullifying these Restrictions or obligations.
Each of these assumptions is false.
Restraints ineffective for the protection either of British interests or of individual freedom may be intensely irritating to national sentiment.
The limitations imposed on the powers of the Irish Parliament, or, in other words, of the Irish people, are opposed to the spirit of nationality and independence which Home Rule, it is hoped, will appease or satisfy.

They will be hateful therefore not only to that multitude whom Gladstonians call the Irish people, but to every Irishman who is bidden by Gladstonians to consider himself a member of the Irish nation.
The Irish are a martial race; they excel in the practice, and delight in the pageantry, of warfare, but they are forbidden to raise a regiment or man a gunboat.

They cannot legally raise a regiment of volunteers, they cannot save their country from invasion.