THE AMNESTY AGITATION.
[To ma EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR."j Sin,—Permit me to express my dissent from your able article on "The Amnesty Agitation." With you I supported the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, whilst my heart was filled with sorrow at its necessity. I deplored the Fenian crimes, but re- membered with shame our unrighteous treatment of Ireland : now that the English people and our Government are intent upon removing "all temptation to rebellion" by passing acts of justice, too long deferred, let us be merciful to those whom we have sorely tempted. In inaugurating the new era, let us as far as possible blot out the past. To wait for the amnesty until the "popular feeling in Ireland has been so changed by a policy of justice as to assure us against renewed rebellion," would not assist in creating that better feeling which we all desire to witness. I, for one, shall rejoice if, on the occasion of our gracious monarch's visit to Ireland next year, or upon the introduction of the Irish land bill by the Government, the amnesty for political offences be pro-
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