Letters were read at the Bradford meeting from Lord Hartington
and Lord Derby. Lord Hartington summed up the present position thus In Ireland, the policy of our opponents has more and more shown itself to be based on the principles of disorder and lawlessness, which seem to be meeting with increased acquiescence on the part of their English allies ; while the events of the present Session have proved that the Unionist alliance is capable of providing the country with a legislative policy of a distinctly popular and practical character." And Lord Derby defines the Home-rule teaching thus :—" The idea of our Home-rule friend seems to be,—first, that to call an offence political is equivalent to saying that it is no -offence at all; and, next, that to plunder one's neighbour is a legitimate or at least an excusable act, if it is done with a view to promote the interests of a disaffected party.. These are not doctrines likely to be accepted in England." These two sentences from two of the most moderate and experienced men in England contain in pem- mican the substance of many scores of speeches.
