The Irish standard., 1914-02-21
contiguous to the main thoroughfares

which they were to pass along on the
way to the rendezvous. Though COM
paratively the muster was small af-
fair, it was regarded with no little in
terest by the citizens of Belfast, who
started on tramcar and on foot at an
early hour in the afternoon to get to
the scene of the maneuvers. It was
not fulEdress parade-the men were
without arms, though a few carried
blackthorns and other sticks. Real
ism, however, was given to the occa-
sion by other paraphernalia of war.
Ambulance wagons emblazoned with
the red cross, the marching force car
rying stretchers decorated with the
insignia of the Order of st. John, and
signallers carrying their folded up
flags. The roads, indeed, leading to
Ormiston were pretty we'll congested
as the Volunteers, headed in some in
stances by their Drum Major, made
their way to the spot selected for the
parade. The quarter of the city
through which they went is distinctly
Unionist in feeling, and there was no
reason to fear, as was in fact the case,
there would be any attempt at moles-
tation by people of opposite political
views. Only the ordinary police were
on duty. The battalions reached Or
mlston just before o'clock.
The Londonderry "House Party"
But prior to entering the grounds
Sir Edward Carson, Lord Londonderry,
the Duke of Portland, and other men,
bers of the Mountstewart House party
who had motored from Newtownards,
reviewed what is known as the Motor
Brigade, in the road outside the
grounds. This consists of a number
OF trained motorists in charge of mo-
tor cars and motor cyclists to be used
in case OF emergency for rapid tran
sit. This equipment of the volunteers
was commented favorably upon by Sir
Edward Carson, who asked the motor
lists many questions as to their eff
cheney, strength, and so forth. A
move was then made to the review
ground, which is fiat plateau sur
rounded by a we'll wooded country.
The ground was flanked by many
thousands of people who journey from
Belfast. Amongst the throng were a
number of English visitors from War
rington, Unionist, Radical, and Labor,
who have for the last few days been
In Ireland gathering on the spot in
formation as to the trend of political
events in view of the Home Rule Bill,
The arrival of Sir Edward Carson was
signalled by loud cheers from the
crowd, whilst the volunteers stood at
attention to receive the Irish Unionist
chief. They were divided into six
companies. Included in the ranks
We're professional men and laborers.
mechanics and clergymen. Their at
tire to some extent denoted their
status. Well-dressed men, wearing Bill
lycock hats and collars, stood side by
side with those somewhat shabbily at
tired with caps on their heads and
'kerchiefs round their necks.
Sir Edwards BIackthorn.
Sir Edward, carrying his Portadown
Blackthorn, walked in company with
General Richardson and Colonel Chi
chester, along the front of the ranks.
AS he did SO, men on horseback, "gal-
lopers" dashed from one part of the
field to another, to members of the
general staff, who stood in cluster
near small dais covered by the
Union Jack. The inspection occupied
but brief period. The volunteers aft
erwards got into closer formation, and
We're addressed by Sir Edward from
the dais.
Sir Edward said: Men of the East
Belfast Regiment, l want to thank YOU
on having turned out in such numbers
today l want you all to reflect that
day by day, hour by hour, we are get.
ting nearer the great crisis for which
we have been SO long preparing; and
l notice, so far as 1 can observe the
signs of the times, that the nearer we
approach that day the more your cour-
age and my courage and your deter
mination and my determination grows
We shirk nothing. We ask for moth.
ing but to remain as citizens of the
United Kingdom, and when the day
comes we will show that there does
not exist a body of men who can
wrench from us that which we honor
and love, the civil and religious lib
erty which we have inherited. Men
| am sorry to say that, for political
purposes-yes. and for sordid pur-
poses (hear, hear)-there are men in
England who would urge on the move
ment to the most disastrous course
that has probably ever existed in our
history. We were told the other day
by a Cabinet Minister that there were
men in the Radical Party who were
anxious to see if the red blood would
really flow. Well, tell them if they
dare to come and attack us that the
red blood will certainly flow