, and always will be, our sorrows. I have seen it stated that
the Germans thought they had hit on an opportune moment, owing to
our domestic difficulties, to make their bullying demand against
our country. They little understood for what we were fighting. We
were not fighting to get away from England; we were fighting to
stay with England, and the Power that attempted to lay a hand upon
England, whatever might be our domestic quarrels, would at once
bring us together--as it has brought us together--as one man."

In order to avoid controversy at such a time, Carson declared he would
say nothing about their opponents. He insisted that, however unworthily
the Government might act in a great national emergency, Ulstermen must
distinguish between the Prime Minister as a party leader and the Prime
Minister as the representative of the whole nation. Their duty was to
"think not of him or his party, but of our country," and they must show
that "we do not seek to purchase terms by selling our patriotism." He
then referred to the pride they all felt in the U.V.F.; how he had
"watched them grow from infancy," through self-sacrificing toil to their
present high efficiency, with the purpose of "allowing us to be put into
no degraded position in the United Kingdom." But under the altered
conditions their duty was clear:

"Our country and our Empire are in danger. And under these
circumstances, knowing that the very basis of our political faith
is our belief in the greatness of the United Kingdom and of the
Empire, I say to our Volunteers without hesitation, go and help to
save your country. Go and win honour for Ulster and for Ireland. To
every man that goes, or has gone, and not to them only, but to
every Irishman, you and I say, from the bottom of our hearts, 'God
bless you and bring you home safe and victorious.'"

The arrangements with the War Office for forming a Division from the
Ulster Volunteers were then explained, which would enable the men "to go
as old comrades accustomed to do their military training together."
Carson touched lightly on fears that had been expressed lest political
advantage should be taken by the Government or by the Nationalists of
the conversion of the U.V.F. into a Division of the British Army, which
would leave Ulster defenceless. "We are quite strong enough," he said,
"to take care of ourselves, and so I say to men, so far a