"Let us now pass on to the consideration of the circular. The tone
is pessimistic. It is even worse: it is that of the alarmist who
raises the signal note of warning, as if we were on the eve of a great
danger."
Well, gentlemen, if I am to tell you the truth, I admit that I suspect
we are on the eve of a great danger and that grave danger is the
acceptance of a system of self-government which will not give us the
reality, which will give us self-government in name but not in fact. It
is the duty of every Nationalist to raise that alarm. It does no harm
to watch, even suspiciously watch what it is and if it does not satisfy
the people of this country, to reject it, to say that we do not want
it,--Take it back.
"Our countrymen are asked to be ready to fearlessly criticise the
proposals, if they fall short of our ideal."