Carson: ‘I represent not a constituency, but a nation’

Sir Edward Carson is undertaking an Easter tour of Ulster

Antrim, 14 April 1914 - Sir Edward Carson inspected three battalions of the Ulster Volunteers near Antrim Castle yesterday. He also inspected more than 100 members of the Nursing Corps, who wore regulation dress and Red Cross badges.

The inspection took place against a backdrop of numerous Union Jacks and to the strains of regimental music. In a speech, Sir Edward said: ‘When I stand up and fight our great cause in the House of Commons I feel a great power behind me in knowing that I have the manhood of my country with me. I represent not a constituency, but a nation - a nation loyal and true to the British throne.’

Across Ulster members of the Ulster Volunteers are spending Easter parading and drilling. Instructional camps have been established where various county organisations have mobilised and are undertaking tests in field work.

A group of Ulster Volunteers unloading and inspecting rifles and revolvers. (Image: Illustrated London News, [London, England], 28 March 1914)

The Volunteers are being drilled in firing practice and in tactics that are essential during hostilities. Dispatch riders, who are motor cyclists, are crossing the province in a test ride undertaken in conditions similar to those which might exist after the outbreak of war.

The riders are staying overnight in Donegal, while covering 130 miles in various formations in their journey across Ulster.

A remarkable feature of the weekend has been the arrival of holiday-makers from Scotland and England to see for themselves the plans that Ulster Unionists are making to frustrate any attempt to introduce Home Rule.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]