“We want to carry on the work that the Fenians tried to do to a triumphal issue.  The Fenians stood for an Irish Republic, and so do we.  No policy which left England in control of the Irish Nation could be regarded as final.  There is only one way, and that is to get the absolute and complete independence of Ireland, free from English rule and English domination.  The Fenians did not go to the Prime Minister for concessions.  No:  they started into arms, and if people of the present day believed in that they should arm themselves to get the independence of Ireland.”—­(B.  Hobson, speaking at a demonstration at Cork, on the anniversary of the “martyrdom” of Allen, Larkins, and O’Brien.)

“Should the Germans land in Ireland, they will be received with willing hearts and strong hands, and should England be their destination, it is to be hoped that they will find time to disembark 100,000 rifles and a few score of ammunition for the same in this country, and twelve months later this Ireland will be as free as the Lord God meant it should be.”—­(Major McBride, who organized an Irish force to aid the Boers against England, and has consequently been appointed to a municipal inspectorship by the Corporation of Dublin.)

“I appeal to you most earnestly to do all in your power to prevent your countrymen from entering the degraded British army.  If you prevent 500 men from enlisting you do nearly as good work, if not quite so exciting, as if you shot 500 men on the field of battle, and also you are making the path smoother for the approaching conquest of England by Germany.”—­(Ib.)

CHAPTER VIII.

THE REBELLION.

Early in 1797 it became evident to all but the most shortsighted of politicians that a rebellion, of which none could foretell the result, was imminent.  As one shrewd observer wrote:  “I look upon it that Ireland must soon stand in respect to England in one of three situations—­united with her, the Legislatures being joined; separated from her, and forming a republic; or as a half-subdued Province.”  The supporters of law and order were naturally divided in opinion as to the course to pursue.  Some were in favour of a policy of conciliation.  Grattan induced his friend Ponsonby to bring forward another Reform Bill, abolishing the religious test and the separate representation of boroughs, and dividing each county into districts; and when he saw that the motion could not be carried, delivered an impassioned speech, declaring that he would never again attend the House of Commons, and solemnly walked out.  It was a piece of acting, too transparent to deceive anybody.  Grattan was a disappointed man—­disappointed not so much because his proposals were not adopted, as because his own followers were slipping away from him.  They had begun to realize that he was an