as it were, self-moving,
self-creating, though as yet (avoiding a conclusion that seemed hopeless)
but few added altogether separate from England politically. Men for the
moment were less concerned with the final achievement than with
independence from English parties and influence during the struggle for
it. We had no longer any leaders, abstractions were in their place; and
our Conventions, where O'Leary presided interrupting discussion without
the least consideration for rules of procedure when the moment came for
his cup of coffee, were dominated by little groups, the Gaelic
propagandists, though still very few, being the most impassioned, which
had the intensity and narrowness of theological sects.

I had in my head a project to reconcile old and new that gave Maud Gonne
and myself many stirring conversations upon journeys by rail to meetings
in Scotland, in Dublin, or in the Midlands. Should we not persuade the
organizations in Dublin and in London, when the time drew near for the
unveiling of our statue, or even perhaps for the laying of its foundation
stone, to invite the leaders of Parnellite or Anti-Parnellite, of the new
group of Unionists who had almost changed sides in their indignation at
the over-taxation of Ireland, to lay their policy before our
Convention--could we not then propose and carry that the Convention sit
permanently, or appoint some Executive Committee to direct Irish policy
and report from time to time. The total withdrawal from Westminster had
been proposed in the 'Seventies, before the two devouring heads were of
equal strength, and now that the abstract head seemed the strongest, would
be proposed again, but the Convention could send them thither, not as an
independent power, but as its delegation, and only when, and for what
purpose the Convention might decide. I dreaded some wild Fenian movement,
and with literature perhaps more in my mind than politics, dreamed of that
Unity of Culture which might begin with some few men controlling some form
of administration. I began to talk my project over with various
organizers, who often interrupted their attention which was perhaps only
politeness, with some new jibe at Mr. Dillon or Mr. Redmond. I thought I
had Maud Gonne's support, but when I overheard her conversation, she
commonly urged the entire withdrawal of the Irish Members, or if she did
refer to my scheme, it was to suggest the sending to England of eighty
ragged and drunken Dublin be