Page:A letter to the Right Hon. Chichester Fortescue, M.P. on the state of Ireland.djvu/93

 executive and a just administration are at present possessed by Ireland. Why not give ecclesiastical equality? But these were not the only opinions given by Mr. Disraeli in that memorable speech. He said in the same speech, 'He did not at all understand the new morality of the House of Commons when gentlemen said, "It is extremely desirable to do so and so, but it is so very difficult; and then there are prejudices. What are we to do against prejudices?" Why everything great was difficult.'

Again, referring to the prevalent disposition to wait for what is called the expression of public opinion, before proposing any measure, he said:—

Opinions were afloat, the public mind was agitated, and no one who was in authority came forward to lead the people. As the natural consequence of such neglect, they combined together and carried their own crude notions into effect; because nothing was clearer than this, that if the Government did not lead the people, the people would drive the Government. The time has gone by when a minister could with safety substitute the fulfilment of the duties of office for the performance of the functions of Government. }}

These are, in my opinion, sound maxims, eloquently expressed. Yet I should be the last person to reproach Mr. Disraeli, if he hesitates to perform those functions of government which he declared cannot be safely neglected, and declines to establish that ecclesiastical equality which he proclaimed to be the talisman by which order would be produced, and the physical condition of the people improved.