it is always to the credit of a general to capture an enemy’s post and use it for the final victory.  It is a sign of the battle’s progress, and tells the distant watchers on the hills how the fight is faring and who is going to win.  There would be consternation away from the field only if word should come that the soldiers had gone into the tents of the enemy, acknowledging him and accepting his flag.  That is the point to question.  There can be no defence for the occupying of any post conceded by the enemy.  It may be held for or against Ireland; any man accepting it and surrendering his flag to hold it stands condemned thereby.  That is clear.  Yet it may be objected that such a clear choice is not put to most of those undertaking the local government of Ireland, that few are conscious of such an issue and few governed by it.  It is true.  But for all that the machinery of local government is clearly under popular control, and as clearly worked for an immediate good, preparing for a greater end.  Men unaware of it are unconsciously working for the general development of the country and recovering her old power and influence.  Those conscious of the deeper issue enter every position to further that development and make the end obvious when the alien Government—­finding those powers conceded to sap further resistance are on the contrary used to conquer wider fields—­endeavours to force the popular government back to the purposes of an old and failing tyranny.  That is the nature of the struggle now.  At periods the enemy tries to stem the movement, and then the fight becomes general and keen around a certain position.  In our time there were the Land Leagues, the Land War, fights for Home Rule, Universities, Irish; and these fights ended in Land Acts, Local Government Acts, University Acts, and the conceding of pride of place to the native language in university life.  Every position gained is a step forward; it is accepted as such, and so is justified.  For anyone who grasps the serious purpose of recovering Ireland’s independence all along the line, the suggestion that we should abandon all machinery of local government and enterprise—­because they are “Government positions”—­to men definitely attached to the alien garrison is so foolish as not to be even entertained.  When our attitude is questioned let it be made clear.  That is the final answer to the man who challenges our consistency:  we are carrying the trenches of the enemy.

IV

Even while dismissing a false idea of consistency we have to make clear another view still remote from the general mind.  If we are to have an effective army of freedom we must enrol only men who have a clear conception of the goal, a readiness to yield full allegiance, and a determination to fight always so as to reflect honour on the flag.  The importance of this will be felt only when we come to deal with concrete cases.  While human nature is what it is we will have always