Thus they talked and discussed, exchanging opinions about all things in
strong but expressive language, as the train sped northwards bearing
them home. District meetings were organized, and the leaders put
persuasively the arguments for the acceptance of the terms laid down.
All through the crisis the men had behaved admirably, for they had
learned to trust Smillie, even when they felt doubtful of his policy.
Robert took a big share in the organizing of these meetings and in
addressing them. He flung himself into this work whole-heartedly. The
terms certainly did not please him; but, as the majority at the London
Conference had decided to recommend them to the men, he thought it his
duty to sink his personal opinions, and in the interests of discipline
and the unity of the organization--as he had already had his say and had
been found in the minority--he put all his efforts into trying to get
the men to accept the suggested terms, and go forward as one united
body. His persuasive powers of appeal, and his straight, direct way of
argument, commended him to his comrades. By the time that the ballot had
been carried through in the various districts, it was mid-February, and
the Scottish delegates met in Edinburgh to give the result of the
voting among the rank and file.
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