Page:A letter to the Right Hon. Chichester Fortescue, M.P. on the state of Ireland.djvu/96

 In that Declaration it is said,—

A measure that will do much, and which is strictly consonant with the. demands of justice, surely requires immediate attention.

It would therefore be folly to increase the discontent of Ireland by delay, and vague promises of some All hail! hereafter!

There is likewise something in the position of Lord Derby and Mr. Disraeli which repels absolute confidence. If the question is postponed till next year, the Tory party, whether forming a majority or a strong minority in the new House of Commons, may come from their elections, so invigorated by hustings' speeches, and so intoxicated by the old Tory policy of Lord Eldon, as to refuse to their leaders any reduction of the Irish Church Establishment.

It may be said, indeed, and has been said at the Bristol banquet, that in asking for the redress of Irish grievances, we are seeking a party purpose.

The following extract from a speech of the Right Hon. Gathorne Hardy will show with how much precision the polished weapons of party warfare may be wielded:—

There is a great letter-writer in England; he might almost be called a complete letter-writer. I allude to Earl Russell, who at all times, when he is out of office, seems to wonder how it is possible that the government of the country