Redmond’s view on this was not in doubt.  At a meeting in Dublin on February 10, 1910, he declared in the most emphatic manner that to deal with the Budget first would be a breach of Mr. Asquith’s pledge to the country, since it would throw away the power of the House of Commons to stop supply.  This speech attracted much attention, and the memory of it was present to many a fortnight later when Mr. Asquith was replying to Mr. Balfour at the opening of the debate on the Address.  The Prime Minister dwelt strongly on the administrative necessity for regularizing the financial position disturbed by the Upper House’s unconstitutional action.  He indicated also the need for reform in the composition of that House.  But, above all, he disclaimed as improper and impossible any attempt to secure in advance a pledge for the contingent exercise of the Royal prerogative.

“I have received no such guarantee and I have asked for no such guarantee,” he said.

The change was marked indeed from the moment when he uttered in the Albert Hall his sentence against assuming office or holding office without the necessary safeguards—­an assurance at which the whole vast assembly rose to their feet and cheered.  Every word in his speech on the Address added to the depression of his followers and the elation of the Opposition.  Redmond followed him at once.  In such circumstances as then existed, it was exceedingly undesirable for the Irish leader to emphasize the fact that his vote could overthrow the Government:  and the least unnecessary display of this power would naturally and properly have been resented by the Government’s following.  No one knew this better than Redmond, yet the position demanded bold action.  His speech, courteous, as always, in tone, and studiously respectful in its reference to the position of the Crown, was an open menace to the Government.  He quoted the Prime Minister’s words at the Albert Hall, he appealed to the House at large for the construction which had been everywhere put on them; and it was apparent that he had the full sympathy not only of his own party and of Labour, but of most of Mr. Asquith’s own following.  He concluded in these words: 

“If the Prime Minister is not in a position to say that he has such guarantees as are necessary to enable him to pass a Veto Bill this year, and if in spite of that he intends to remain in office and proposes to pass the Budget into law and then to adjourn—­I do not care for how short or how long—­the consideration of the Bill dealing with the veto of the House of Lords, that is a policy which Ireland cannot and will not support.”

The effect on the House was such that no one rose to continue the debate.  Next day it was resumed, and not only Labour speakers, but one after another of the Liberals, including some of the Prime Minister’s most docile, old-fashioned supporters rose and declared that Redmond and not the Leader of the House had expressed