Mr Redmond deserves commendation for his astute handling of the National Volunteers, balancing the interests of both Liberal and Unionist factions until the organization’s demise was accomplished. The recent revelation that a meeting of the National Committee yielded no decisive action comes as no surprise; it merely underscores the Irish Party’s clear intention to stifle the movement.

The looming spectre of Partition looms large, and the Volunteers, if properly organized, could potentially disrupt this agenda by pressing demands and posing uncomfortable questions at a critical juncture. Therefore, any assertive action by the Volunteers would undoubtedly incur the strongest disapproval from Party leaders. It appears that the “sagacious” course advocated for them is to align themselves with and submit to the U.I.L.

For some time now, the Party “bosses” have kept their distance from the Volunteers, refraining from platform addresses and resolutions in their name. This conspicuous absence signals where the Party’s allegiances lie. The Volunteers, in their opposition to Partition, represent a threat to the vested interests of certain individuals within the Party hierarchy who stand to benefit from Partition-related appointments. Hence, it follows that the Volunteers are not to be encouraged, lest these lucrative positions be jeopardized.

With the demise of the National Volunteers, the prospect of a united and resolute stance for complete self-government has been quashed, thereby significantly bolstering the Party’s capacity to push through Partition.

Irish Independent – Wednesday 04 April 1917