George A. Birmingham

Name: The Red Hand of Ulster — Chapter 18
Author: George A. Birmingham

The Red Hand of Ulster — Chapter 18 (1912)

Summary

“The Red Hand of Ulster — Chapter 18”, published in 1912, is a work by George A. Birmingham. It explores elements such as bloodshed, Clithering and moderation.

Quotes from The Red Hand of Ulster — Chapter 18 (George A. Birmingham)

George A. Birmingham, The Red Hand of Ulster — Chapter 18 (1912)

“ I was beginning to dislike being called a man of moderation nearly as much as I disliked being called a Liberal.
“What do you want me to do?” I asked.
“The situation—the very difficult and distressing situation is this,” said Clithering, “stated roughly it is this. The Government has proclaimed to-morrow’s meeting.”
“That,” I said, “is the pit into which—I don’t want to be offensive—I’ll say, your ox has fallen.”
“And the town is full of troops and police. Any attempt to hold the meeting can only result in bloodshed, deplorable bloodshed, the lives of men and women, innocent women sacrificed.” ”

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George A. Birmingham, The Red Hand of Ulster — Chapter 18 (1912)

“ Constitutional agitation, even if carried on with great bitterness is one thing. Violence—but I’m sure, Lord Kilmore, that we can rely on you to use your influence at the meeting this afternoon to secure the acceptance of the terms we offer. I’m sure we can count on you. You can’t want bloodshed.”
I did not want bloodshed, of course. I do not suppose that anybody did. What Clithering could not understand was that some people—without wanting bloodshed—might prefer it to Home Rule. He left me, still I fancy relying on my well-known moderation. No man ever relied on a more utterly useless crutch. ”

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George A. Birmingham, The Red Hand of Ulster — Chapter 18 (1912)

“ Malcolmson, you know, and our Dean. If you’d only gone to hear the Dean preach this morning you’d know what he thinks about blood. I’ve often heard him say that the last drop of it—mind that now, Sir Samuel—the last drop ought to be shed. That’s going as far as any one very well could, isn’t it?”
“But he must,” said Clithering, “he must think bloodshed deplorable.”
“No, he doesn’t,” I said. “You mustn’t think everybody is like your Government. It’s humanitarian. We’re not. We’re business men.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

George A. Birmingham, The Red Hand of Ulster — Chapter 18 (1912)

“ I don’t say that he won’t make good in the end. Nobody but God Almighty can tell this minute whether he will or not; but he’ll be considerable less frisky when he’s finished than he is to-day.”
“But,” I said, “even supposing you clear the streets of the soldiers and police to-morrow—I do not see how you can; but if you do the Government will simply anchor a battleship off Carrickfergus and shell the whole town into a heap of ruins.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

George A. Birmingham, The Red Hand of Ulster — Chapter 18 (1912)

“ He alone, among the leading supporters of the Loyalist movement, had failed to go to church. I thought I might try how he would regard the policy of moderation.
“I suppose,” I said, “that you’ll have to give up this meeting to-morrow.”
“I don’t think so,” said Conroy.
“I’ve just been talking to Sir Samuel Clithering,” I said, “and he thinks there’ll be bloodshed if you don’t.”
“I reckon he’s right there. We’re kind of out for that, aren’t we?”
“It won’t be so pleasant,” I said, “when it’s your blood that’s shed. I don’t mean yours personally, I mean your friends.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

George A. Birmingham, The Red Hand of Ulster — Chapter 18 (1912)

“ You ought not to object to people going to church. I’ve always understood that the Free Churchmen are honourably distinguished from other Christians by their respect for the practice of Sunday worship. ”

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Source: Wikisource

George A. Birmingham, The Red Hand of Ulster — Chapter 18 (1912)

“ I resigned myself and led Clithering to a deserted smoking-room.
“I never saw so much church-going anywhere,” he said. “It’s most remarkable. I don’t think the Government quite appreciates—”
As a matter of fact the percentage of church-going men on that particular Sunday was considerably over the average. On the other hand there were much fewer women than usual. Every church of every Protestant denomination was holding a “Parade Service” for volunteers, and most of the women who tried to get in had to be turned away from the doors. ”

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Source: Wikisource

George A. Birmingham, The Red Hand of Ulster — Chapter 18 (1912)

“ I’m not the least averse to compromises myself, in fact I love them. But the Belfast business man—You don’t quite understand him, I’m afraid, Sir Samuel. Have you heard him singing his hymn?”
“No. What hymn? But leaving the question of hymns aside for the moment—”
“You can’t do that,” I said, “the hymn is the central fact in the situation.”
Clithering thought this over and evidently failed to understand it.
“What I am empowered to suggest,” he said, “is a compromise so very favourable to the Ulster claims that I can hardly imagine your rejecting it. ”

George A. Birmingham

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