The meetin g , at which six hundred dele g ates were present, opened
with prayers. Lord Londonderry said that he was aware that he was taking the most important step in his political life. He hoped that the Government would realize their folly and blunder, which would have horrible con- sequences if persisted in, before it was too late. He was in no doubt as to whether Ulster Unionists had been wise in what they had done. They would have been fools to stand with folded arms, trusting to the remote hope that the Government would not inflict injustice on loyal citizens. After describing the preparations which had resulted in the formation of a Provisional Government, he added, "We shall be tried to the uttermost. . . . We have weighed the consequences, and they are nothing compared with the loss of our rights and privileges under one King and one Parliament."
