And, through the ages that may still
Roll sadly on,
Watch thou o’er hapless Erin’s fate,
And shield at least from darker ill
The blood of Conn.
[161] This odious law, known as the “Irish Convention Act,” was passed by the Irish Parliament in order to forbid the Volunteers and other friends of Parliamentary Reform from “overawing the legislature.” Its repeal has been steadily resisted by the British Parliament, which finds the restriction now as invaluable as the Irish people find it oppressive.
[162] Some time previously he had publicly said that Repeal he understood, but the new programme he did not. Since that time, however, he gave ample proof that he had come to understand it clearly.
The clergy of his diocese, the archbishop himself in one instance presiding at their meeting, had sent in their formal adhesion, accompanied by large contributions of money, to the association.
[163] Almost incredible as it may seem to some readers, this was the only portion of the arrangements never once required. Throughout the four days of protracted and earnest debate, as will be detailed further on, no occasion arose for taking a division.
[164] List of Conference Ticket-holders—names and addresses—National Conference, November, 1873. Dublin: Home-Rule League Publications. 1874.