ABSTRACT
Unionism, Britishness and the war Despite their anger with the Government, the unionist community in Ulster distinguished between the actions of a transient British government, which had displayed little loyalty to them, and their place within the British national community. The Northern Whig, for example, believed that the war had forced domestic differences out of sight with the result that a ‘united [British] nation stands foursquare to its foes’, and while the peril lasted it should be realised that no parties and no divisions could be tolerated for ‘criticism of those in high places is no longer a duty, but a crime against the community’. Whatever commands were given, concluded the Whig, and however hard they might press upon them as individuals, they had to be loyally obeyed for ‘we are not now free agents but rather the crew of a ship caught in a tornado, whose only hope of safety lies in prompt obedience to the orders of their officers’.1 This patriotism was given substance by the Reverend James Grubb of Belfast, who, in a sermon, described how:
There were many things stronger and deeper than reason, and such were faith, conviction and consciousness. Love of country was innate and spontaneous. It was born with them; it was an instinct put into them by God; it was natural, divinely implanted, and needed no apology. There were many things which strengthened patriotism. Their country is the country of our forebears. The Swiss sings of his mountains, the Italian of his lakes, the English of his village and hedgerows, the Scotch of his heather-clad hills, the Irish of his green isle. They should also be prompted…towards the patriotic spirit by their nation’s history-its religious, intellectual, political and military history. The magnificent gallantry of their soldiers and sailors…ought also to stir them
up to greater and grander conceptions of patriotism. The perception of the mission and destiny of their nation ought to stimulate their patriotism. The British nation in spite of her sins and shortcomings, was the greatest force of righteousness in the world, and downfall would be a worldwide calamity. Patriotism was innate and spontaneous. It was ineradicable and could not be destroyed, an emotion that persisted…. Go to the British trenches and they found the son of the peer, the heir to a great name and tradition. Although fatigued, cold and wet, ask him what he is doing and why he is there. He would reply: ‘My King and country need me to battle for her liberty’. The Commoner was also there. But amidst his hardships ask him why he is there, his reply would be: ‘My King and country prompt me’. This patriotism was an exacting ideal, and an expensive devotion…. Love of country inspired service for the maintenance and protection of her honour. The English nation had ever stood for freedom and liberty. They that speak the tongue of Milton must be free. The world could not do without liberty. The gallant deeds of the heroic past ought to inspire them to nobler and purer sacrifice in the present crisis of their nation.2
