SCOTLAND.
It appears that the Dundee Political Union called upon Sir Henry Parnell for an explanation of his reasons for not voting with Mr. Grote in favour of the Ballot, of which Sir Henry is a declared sup- porter. The subjoined letter and resolution of the Union will show, that Sir Henry gave the required explanation, and that the Political Union were satisfied with it ; though they very properly remark on the impolicy of Ministers in making the opposition to the Ballot a Govern- ment question.
.'Spa-1 have received your letter of the 9th instant, informing me that the Political Union of Dundee will be glad to hear that my absence from the division on Mr. Grote's motion on the Ballot did not arise from any change in my opinion upon that question. I beg you will be so good as to acquaint the Political Union, that so far from having changed my opinion concerning the Ballot, I consider the arguments in favonr of it have been confirmed by the experience of every thing that occurred at the last ge- neral election. With respect to that part of your letter which seems to intimate that I ought to have soled for Mr. Grote's motion, and against the Governmeut, I beg to be permitted to say, there can be no longer any doubt that. after what has taken place within the last seven months, if those Members of Parliament who hold office should vote against the Government (and, as a necessary consequence, resign their offices) whenever,on any specific or isolated question, they may differ in opinion with it, the Tory party would inevitably be restored to power. To push the few differences or opiuiou which exist among Reformers to t his extremity, and to produce calamitous re- sults, cannot. I imagine, be desired by the Political Union ; especially at a moment when the Government is not only diligently but successfully occupied in honestly di* charging its engagements to the public—by carrying forward such great measures as Corporation Reform, Church Reform. and the extinction of Tithes in Ireland ; and preparing the the redress of the grievances of the Dissenters, the abolition of Church. rates, the Commutation of Tithes iu England. and other important improvenieuts in
our political institutions. " Your obedient, humble servant,
" John G alletly , Esq. " H. PARNELL.'
After some discussion, as we learn from the Dundee Advertiser, the meeting adopted the following resolution.
"That this meeting. having heard the letter from Sir Henry Parnell, in answer to one Dom their Secretary, on the subject of the Ballot, are of opinion that the absence of Sir Henry at the discussion on the Ballot is justifiable under the present constitution of the Government ; but are of opinion that the practice of making a Miniskrill oppo. sition to such an important constitutional question as the Ballot, is quite unnecessary ; the far better course being to let each Mthsber represent tle opinion of Ids constituents freely, as was done even in the Unreformed Parliament. That the thanks of the meet. hug are due to Sir Henry for his attention to the Union in this mat ter."
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