His line of action with regard to the elections was
calculated to increase the suspicion; he said he would not sanction any
factious opposition to the re-election of the liberal Irish members who
had accepted office: if he could find honest Repealers to put forward to
contest the seats he would contest them, but he would be no party to
opposition for opposition sake. Smith O'Brien, the organ of the other
section of Repealers took the opposite view. Writing from Kilkee, under
date of July the 9th, he says, Repeal candidates must be put in
opposition to the Government candidates, no matter how good they might
be.
At this time Lord Miltown, a nobleman who seldom touched politics,
addressed a public letter to O'Connell, which, like the _Times_'
articles, had the appearance of being inspired from higher quarters. The
object of writing the letter is contained in a single sentence of it. It
is this: "Without presuming to ask you to forego your exertions in
favour of Repeal, might I," his lordship writes, "suggest the policy of
your postponing them for a session to give time to form _an Irish
Party_, to assist the Ministry, if willing; to urge them on, if lagging;
in procuring justice for Ireland.
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