On the 27th of March a letter appeared in the London newspapers announcing the formation of a “British League for the support of Ulster and the Union,” with an office in London.  It was signed by a hundred Peers and 120 Unionist Members of the House of Commons.  The manifesto emphasised the Imperial aspect of the great struggle that was going on, asserting that it was “quite clear that the men of Ulster are not fighting only for their own liberties.  Ulster will be the field on which the privileges of the whole nation will be lost or won.”  A small executive Committee was appointed, with the Duke of Bedford as Chairman, and within a few weeks large numbers of people in all parts of the country joined the new organisation.  A conference attended by upwards of 150 honorary agents from all parts of the country was held at Londonderry House on the 4th of June, where the work of the League was discussed, and its future policy arranged.  Its operations were not ostentatious, but they were far from being negligible, especially in connection with later developments of the movement in the following year.  This proof of British support was most encouraging to the people of Ulster, and the Dublin correspondent of The Times reported that it gave no less satisfaction to loyalists in other parts of Ireland, among whom, as the position became more desperate every day, there was “not the least sign of giving way, of accepting the inevitable.”

Every month that passed in uncertainty as to what fate was reserved for Ulster, and especially every visit of the leader to Belfast, endeared him more intensely to his followers, who had long since learnt to give him their unquestioning trust; and his bereavement by the death of his wife in April 1913 brought him the profound and affectionate sympathy of a warm-hearted people, which manifested itself in most moving fashion at a great meeting a month later on the 16th of May, when, at the opening of a new drill hall in the most industrial district of Belfast, Sir Edward exclaimed, in response to a tumultuous reception, “Heaven knows, my one affection left me is my love of Ireland.”

He took occasion at the same meeting to impress upon his followers the spirit by which all their actions should be guided, and which always guided his own.  With a significant reference to the purposes for which the new drill hall might be used, he added, “Always remember—­this is essential—­always remember you have no quarrel with individuals.  We welcome and we love every individual Irishman, even though he may be opposed to us.  Our quarrel is with the Government.”  When the feelings of masses of men are deeply stirred in political conflict such exhortations are never superfluous; and there never was a leader who could give them with better grace than Sir Edward Carson, who himself combined to an extraordinary degree strength of conviction with entire freedom from bitterness towards individual opponents.[49]