e one reason, which would be conclusive in
the absence of every other reason.

1. It is not the province of the person leading the party in
opposition, to frame and produce before the public detailed
schemes of such a class.

2. There are reasons of great weight, which make it desirable that
the party now in power should, if prepared to adopt the principle,
and if supported by an adequate proportion of the coming House of
Commons, undertake the construction and proposal of the measure.

3. The unfriendly relations between the party of nationalists and
the late government in the expiring parliament, have of necessity
left me and those with whom I act in great ignorance of the
interior mind of the party, which has in parliament systematically
confined itself to very general declarations.

4. That the principle and basis of an admissible measure have been
clearly declared by myself, if not by others, before the country;
more clearly, I think, than was done in the case of the Irish
disestablishment; and that the particulars of such plans in all
cases have been, and probably must be, left to the discretion of
the legislature acting under the usual checks.

But my final and paramount reason is, that the production at this
time of a plan by me would not only be injurious, but would
destroy all reasonable hope of its adoption. Such a plan, proposed
by the heads of the liberal party, is so certain to have the
opposition of the tories _en bloc_, that every computation must be
founded on this anticipation. This opposition, and the appeals
with which it will be accompanied, will render the carrying of the
measure difficult even by a united liberal party; hopeless or most
difficult, should there be serious defection.

Mr. Parnell is apprehensive of the opposition of the House of
Lords. That idea weighs little with me. I have to think of
something nearer, and more formidable. The idea of constituting a
legislature for Ireland, whenever seriously and responsibly
proposed, will cause a mighty heave in the body politic. It will
be as difficult to carry the liberal party and the two British
nations in favour of a legislature for Ireland, as it was easy to
carry them in the case of Irish disestablishment. I think that it
may possibly be done; but only by the full use of a great
leve