“ A year ago we lived in hope only, and some good and true men thought that hope forlorn. I do not say for one moment that Ireland has got all she asked for and all that her sons died for, but she has got the first instalment of her freedom, and is determined to have the whole of it. I say that because the omnipotent hand of God made Ireland a nation, and while grass grows and water flows there will be plenty to fight, and even die, that God’s desires may be realised. On the stage of the world’s history Ireland has played many parts. ”

“ Above all, Ireland has been a builder of empires, not for self, but for others, not for filthy lucre, but for God’s cause, honor and freedom. Many are thinking that the difficulties in the face of the Irish Free State are almost insuperable. ”

“ In every land the children of Ireland this day are gathered by some common and holy impulse to rejoice that at long last they have won some measure of freedom and to hope for a complete deliverance from the house of bondage. ”